Veal Ideal for Boomer Diet

Veal Ideal for Boomer Diet
Ontario veal is a low fat protein high in iron, zinc and B₁₂

A healthy lifestyle is key to preventing risk of illness and chronic disease. As we age, weight management and physical activity become more important than ever before.

A diet low in saturated fat is among the top recommendations from health professionals to promote heart health and prevent cancer. According to Registered Dietitian and Baby Boomer Susie Langley, Ontario veal is a healthy option for those looking to add a new lean protein into their diet without adding excess saturated fat.

"One of the reasons I recommend veal is because of its high nutrient density and low saturated fat content," says Langley. "With more than 35 cuts to choose from, veal is extra lean and a great source of key nutrients. It’s a protein that often gets overlooked, although it should be one of the prime meats for those of us who are 45 years and older."

All veal cuts contain 7.5 g of fat or less per 100 g (3½ oz) portion and contain a very low amount of saturated fat. A 100 g (3½ oz) portion of a grain fed loin chop contains only 1.8 g of saturated fat. Veal is also an excellent source of iron, zinc and vitamin B₁₂ which are essential for top physical and mental performance and to boost the immune system.

"Vitamin B₁₂, iron and zinc are essential nutrients," says Langley. "Vitamin B₁₂ helps maintain a healthy brain and nervous system to promote optimum mental performance. Iron and zinc are key minerals needed for healthy red blood cells and oxygen transport to prevent fatigue. Zinc status is especially important as we age because of its role in boosting the body’s defense system to help resist illness and infections like colds and flu."

A 100 g portion (3½ oz) serving of a pan seared veal cutlet more than meets the daily requirement for vitamin B₁₂ and supplies almost half of the daily requirement for zinc and a quarter of the daily requirement for iron. Compared to an equal amount of roasted, skinless chicken breast, veal has eleven times more vitamin B₁₂, more than four times more zinc and three times the iron.

Langley herself pursues an active lifestyle while enjoying a varied, balanced diet. She recognizes the challenge in keeping active and eating well, but argues that with just a little more effort, Ontario Boomers could be better off in the long run.

"Baby Boomers have a lot to take into account when grocery shopping and preparing meals," says Langley. "Start by choosing a variety of foods with exceptional nutritional value at every meal. Go for lots of colour on your plate – red, green, yellow, orange, even blue and purple! And be sure to select lean cuts of meat like Ontario veal more often. This approach can help you to achieve a healthy diet, satisfy your appetite and tantalize your taste buds."

Incorporating Ontario veal into a healthy diet makes it easy to follow Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating which recommends eating two to three servings of ‘Meat and Alternatives’ daily with a focus on lean food choices. Consider veal --- for variety and vigour!

For additional information on Ontario Veal, and recipes that feature veal and other healthy foods, please visit www.ontariovealappeal.ca.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Health Check™ Program is your assurance that this product meets specific nutrient criteria based on Canada’s Food Guide. These cuts of meat are lean. Choosing leaner meats is part of healthy eating. The Ontario Veal Association financially supports the Health Check™ education program. This is not an endorsement. See www.healthcheck.org