The nutrient-richness of Canadian beef is recognized by dietitians across the country, and the Beef Information Centre (BIC) is key to ensuring these health professionals are provided with factual based information.

Recently, BIC introduced the Nutrient-Rich Advertorial Series in the Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research, which is distributed to 6,200 registered dietitians across Canada. The first advertorial was published in the spring 2010 edition, while the second advertorial is scheduled for the fall 2010 edition.

The goal of the Nutrient Rich Advertorial Series is to ensure registered dietitians and health professionals develop a greater understanding of the Nutrient Rich Foods Index, can identify lean beef as an example of a nutrient rich food and understand the importance of counselling on the topic of nutrient density.

The first advertorial, authored by Dr. Adam Drewnowski with the School of Public Health at the University of Washington in Seattle, focuses on the scientific background of the Nutrient Rich Foods Index; lists the benefits of the Nutrient Rich Foods Index; and identifies lean Canadian beef as a nutrient-rich protein.

BIC is increasing health professional knowledge of the importance of nutrient-rich foods in a healthy diet. According to Judy Nelson, BIC chair and a cow-calf producer at Lundbreck, Alta., this translates into increased recommendations for including Canadian beef in a healthy diet.

“By identifying foods that provide the most nutrients per calorie, the nutrient-rich approach offers positive guidance on which foods to choose rather than nutrients to avoid,” she says. “Canadian beef is a nutrient-rich food with certain cuts of beef being more nutrient dense than some fish and chicken dishes. Health professionals across Canada can use these scientifically-based advertorials as a reference for understanding the nutrient-rich foods approach to creating healthy eating patterns.”

Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide encourages Canadians to make every food guide serving count by choosing nutrient-rich foods.

“These advertorials enhances BIC’s communication to health professionals about the benefits of using the nutrient-rich foods approach for creating healthier eating patterns which include lean Canadian beef,” notes Nelson. “This helps to maintain BIC’s credibility as an organization that communicates evidence-based information.”

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For more information, please contact:
Janet Kanters
Stakeholder Communications Manager
Beef Information Centre
jkanters@beefinfo.org
Tel: 403-275-5890, ext 310