- With Mayo Clinic nutritionist
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
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Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
As a specialty editor for the Food & Nutrition Center, Katherine Zeratsky helps you sort through the facts and figures, the fads and the hype to learn more about nutrition and diet.
A Marinette, Wis., native, she is certified in dietetics by the state of Minnesota and the American Dietetic Association. She has been with Mayo Clinic since 1999.
She is active in nutrition-related curriculum and course development in pediatrics at Mayo Clinic Rochester and nutrition education related to the physiology and recommended intakes for premature infants.
Other areas of interest include breast milk and formula safety, neonatal feeding, and nutrition for breast-feeding mothers.
She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, served a dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and worked as a registered dietitian and health risk counselor at ThedaCare of Appleton, Wis., before joining the Mayo Clinic staff.
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Question
Buying beef? A guide to choosing the leanest cuts
Which cuts of beef are the leanest?
Answer
from Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
Government food-labeling laws determine which cuts of beef can be called "lean" or "extra-lean" based on fat and cholesterol content.
| Nutrition labeling | Definition | Cuts included |
|---|---|---|
| Lean beef | A 3.5-ounce serving (about 100 grams) that contains less than:
|
|
| Extra-lean beef | A 3.5-ounce serving (about 100 grams) that contains less than:
|
|
When you're selecting beef, choose cuts labeled "Choice" or "Select" instead of "Prime" — which usually has more fat. Opt for cuts with the least amount of visible fat (marbling). Even then, trim any visible fat before preparing the beef. When you're selecting ground beef, opt for the lowest percentage of fat.
And remember, even when you select the leanest cuts of beef, it's still important to control the total amount of meat in your diet. For adults, the American Heart Association recommends no more than 6 ounces (170 grams) of lean meat a day — including poultry and fish.
Next questionCalories in sushi: What are the low-cal options?
- 21 Code of Federal Regulations 101.62 Nutrition Labeling of Food. National Archives and Records Administration, 2008:114. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2008/aprqtr/pdf/21cfr101.62.pdf. Accessed Aug. 18, 2008.
- Meat, poultry and fish. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4627. Accessed Aug. 18, 2008.
