Nutrition Tip of the Week

Beef for Immunity?

The holiday season is a time for celebrating with friends and family and not for fighting off a cold or flu. Make it a priority to keep these pesky invaders from ruining your holiday festivities by adding a couple of cuts of lean beef to your weekly diet. Beef is the richest source of zinc, a powerful mineral that helps rev up the activity of your immune functioning cells. Although you may be adhering to a heart healthy diet and view beef as taboo, if you think lean, small portions, 6 ounces per serving, and only a couple times a week, you can enjoy a melt-in-your mouth filet or sirloin. Cooper Clinic recommendations for heart healthy nutrition is to limit red meat intake to 4-6 ounce portions two to three meals per week with a 12 ounce per week maximum. You can also increase your zinc intake by consuming beans, nuts and enriched cereals.

This nutrition tip of the week is brought to you by Melinda Safir, R.D. Melinda specializes in weight management as well as preventive and cardiovascular nutrition and wellness. For more information or to schedule a nutrition consultation, call 972-560-2655.