NCBA staff recently told members of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee that an overwhelming body of scientific evidence shows healthy diets including red meat, like beef, support optimal human health and well-being. Shalene McNeill, a registered dietitian and executive director of nutrition research for NCBA, told committee members the unique combination of bioavailable iron, zinc and B vitamins in beef help build and maintain strength from infancy through the golden years.
“As a registered dietitian, nutrition scientist and advocate for healthy eating, it’s important for people who include beef as a source of nourishment and satisfaction in a healthy diet to know the best science available today continues to reinforce this is a smart approach for a healthy lifestyle,” McNeill said during oral comments.
Jointly updated every five years by USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the dietary guidelines serve as the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy. During this process, experts in the fields of nutrition and health who serve on the committee are tasked with reviewing the latest research to make science-based recommendations to the federal agencies.
NCBA, a contractor to the beef checkoff, is urging the committee to systematically review the totality of scientific evidence when making decisions that ultimately will result in nutritional policy that can measurably improve the health of Americans.