Taking on the Dubai Fitness Challenge 30×30? Here’s how a Hunter steak can help!
The annual Dubai Fitness Challenge is almost here, giving us the perfect prompt to ensure we get those crucial 30 minutes of exercise in each day.
Fitness aficionados will know the importance of a protein-rich diet to complement an active lifestyle, and this is primarily because protein provides the amino acids our bodies need to build and repair muscle. Red meat once had a bad rep in the health department, but we are now thankfully far more informed of the huge benefits that the right cuts can provide – from fighting fatigue to strengthening our immune systems.
The Power Of Protein
Protein is the most obvious nutrient in beef that can benefit anyone who exercises. But beef doesn’t contain just any run-of-the-mill protein. It boasts an impressive collection of the nine essential amino acids, and has a high biological value, which means it’s very digestible and usable by the body. Studies also show that foods with a high biological value are what we should hunt for to repair and rebuild our muscles after working out.
Super Steak
The nutritional virtues of beef extend well beyond protein. Its hard-working minerals
include the antioxidant selenium, plus the highly absorbable iron and immune-boosting zinc, with the most well-represented vitamins being thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, B6 and B12. These micronutrients are key for our metabolism, and help the body utilise sources of fuel such as carbohydrates and fat. Beef also contains around one gram of creatine per kilo, which heads straight to our muscles to give us the power to lift weight and manage high intensity exercise.
All Fats aRe NOt Created Equal
Isn’t steak full of fat, we hear you cry? Indeed, a beef burger contains more fat than a
skinless chicken breast – but there’s no need to fear the tasty stuff. Some saturated fat is
necessary for maintaining testosterone levels, and about one-third of beef’s saturated fat is stearic acid, which has a neutral effect on blood cholesterol levels. That does leave a pretty big quota of other saturated fatty acids, however, and that’s why leaner cuts of beef are always the healthiest choice. The leaner the cut, the more muscle-building protein – and the more we can enjoy guilt-free!
