Healthier Food Means Happy Families

Taste and nutrition top the list as the most important factors influencing food choices in research with Canadian adults — and beef definitely delivers both! So it's no wonder that beef dishes are also the most popular choices for children aged 7-12 when eating at home. Both parents and kids are looking for tasty, healthier children's menu options when they eat out. Great tasting, nutrient-dense beef, is a perfect choice for your kids' menu offerings!

Health is Driving Changes in Kids Menus

Busy families are eating out with their kids more than ever before. And health is undoubtedly the most significant element driving changes in kid's menus today. Keep in mind that the number one factor Canadians name when asked ‘what makes a food healthy?' is a food that ‘contains good nutrients'. Offering nutritious foods that appeal to taste, like beef, will mean both kids and parents can feel great about ordering from your children's menu.

Beef Delivers Outstanding Nutritional Value

Lean Canadian beef, including lean ground beef, is naturally nutrient rich -with 14 essential nutrients! It delivers energy and the high quality protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins children need for healthy growth and development. Plus, Health Canada's Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide encourages Canadians to enjoy Meat and Alternatives, such as lean beef, every day as part of a nutritionally balance eating plan.

Keep it Lean!

Some of kids' favourite lean options are Lean and Extra Lean Ground Beef* In addition, many raw cuts are lean or extra lean at 0" trim: Lean Beef: Strip loin, Flank, Cross Rib, Outside Round** Extra Lean Beef: Top Sirloin, Sirloin Tip, Inside Round, Eye of Round** Use lower fat cooking methods — broil, barbeque, grill, roast or microwave on a rack, or stir-fry in a non-stick pan. Use added fats such as oil, gravy and cream sauces in moderation, and opt for seasonings and tomato based sauces. *Fat content per 100 g raw: Lean Ground Beef: 15 g Extra Lean Ground Beef: 10 g **Fat content per 100 g raw beef, trimmed of external fat (0" trim): Lean Cuts Strip loin: 8 g Flank: 8 g Cross rib: 9 g Outside round: 9 g Extra Lean Cuts Top sirloin: 6 g Sirloin tip: 5 g Inside round: 5 g Eye of round: 5 g

Tell Families about Your Healthier Options

Many families are also looking for more nutrition information about the menu choices you offer. The innovative kids' menu options in our recipe section all come with nutrition information that you can share with your customers. You may also want to consider participating in a food information program like Health Check^tm, that can highlight your healthier menu options to families right on the menu. Find more information on this at:

• The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada's Health Check^tm Restaurant Program

Want to know more about the nutritional value of beef? Check out our up to date nutrient information for beef.

Parents and Children want Nutritious Food Choices

Children and families are more sophisticated when making decisions and are asking for more food choices and better nutrition. Research has shown that food with a good source of nutrients including protein and iron affects the food choices that both parents and children make. When surveyed parents agree healthier choices are considered an important factor when choosing a meal for their children in a restaurant. Catering to this desire with healthier, nutrient-dense options like beef is a sure way to drive repeat business!