Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
“Throw another steak on the grill for me. I need to lower my blood sugar.”
To many folks, this sentence may seem a bit odd.
Seriously, who eats steak to control their blood sugar?
Won’t all that fatty meat just cause you to gain weight and make your blood sugar skyrocket?
As it turns out… no.
Actually, it might be helping you win battle against blood sugar.
Sound too good to be true?
Well, according to new research, it’s not.
In fact, science indicates that eating foods like steak, ground beef, egg yolks and milk actually decrease your chances of developing blood sugar issues, which decreases your risk of diabetes.
And after you read this, you might find yourself asking for another steak.
Dietary Dilemma
Data out of Newfoundland shows that two nutrients, choline and betaine, are able to improve insulin resistance, a precursor for Type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance occurs when the body is unable to absorb sugar, which then causes it to build up in the blood.
For the study, researchers assessed over 2,300 adults, using a health questionnaire to evaluate the dietary levels of choline and betaine.
Next, they assessed the insulin resistance levels of the participants. After analyzing these factors, the researchers made an incredible discovery…
Folks that were eating diets rich in choline and betaine were experiencing less insulin resistance than those who were eating diets poor in choline and betaine.
Ultimately, this means adding more choline and betaine to your diet can lower your risk of developing diabetes.
And while both nutrients were responsible for reducing insulin resistance, there’s only one that you’re likely deficient in — choline.
You see, choline can help reduce oxidative stress and reduce inflammation, both of which are key players in the development of insulin resistance. Plus, the body can convert choline into betaine. This means if you’re eating enough choline, your body could make the betaine it needs.
Yet many Americans aren’t getting anywhere near the amount of dietary choline they need to maintain healthy blood sugar.
According to a national health survey, 90 percent of adults in the U.S. are getting far below what is considered adequate intake, which is 550 mg/day for men and 425 mg/day for women.
And that’s where your dietary choices come in…
Don’t Be Deficient!
While it seems most Americans are slighting choline-rich foods, you can make the choice to enjoy them.
Not to mention this includes some of the tastiest, heartiest foods around — like steak and eggs.
In fact, a breakfast of steak and eggs could give you an adequate daily dose in just one meal!
Just keep in mind selecting the healthiest type of beef is important when increasing your intake. For this reason, it’s best to select 100 percent grass-fed beef that’s been humanely raised without antibiotics and hormones and always has access to an open pasture.
Many studies show that cattle raised on grass produce beef that is significantly more nutritious than grain-fed beef. This is because cows were designed to eat grass, not grains.
Besides providing an ample amount of choline, grass-fed beef also contains 60 percent more inflammation-halting omega-3 fatty acid than grain-fed beef, along with double the amount of vitamins A and E.
One brand of grass-fed beef I really enjoy is Western Grassfed Beef.
A while ago, I tried their rib-eye steak and ground beef. And both products were AMAZING — tender and juicy, with delightfully rich flavors.
In fact, the steaks were so delicious, the first time I bought them, I ate one for dinner then cooked one the next morning for breakfast! They are perfect for family get-togethers, picnics or any event where there’s a grill.
And the best part — they can be delivered right to your door!
You can check out their products at westerngrassfedbeef.com.
To discover more about making healthy egg choices, including how to know whether the type of eggs you eat contain a dangerous toxin, click here.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Is it true you can “trick” your body young? Claim your FREE book here right now. Details here.
Sources
[2] Choline in the diets of the US population: NHANES, 2003–2004
