The Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) recently attended two state-wide health conferences — the Iowa Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Conference and the Iowa School Wellness Conference — to educate influential health professionals on the positive benefits of beef and the importance of beef as a food for strength.

The Iowa Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Conference drew more than 130 health professionals, including registered nurses and respiratory therapists, who work with cardiopulmonary patients on a daily basis. Attendees were given new American Heart Assn. Heart Check-approved beef recipes and copies of the "Strength Field Manual."

In addition, the beef checkoff sponsored a speaker for the conference, Dr. Mike Roussell, whose presentation -- titled “Nutrition & Lifestyle Strategies for a Healthy Heart” -- discussed practical nutrition concepts concerning protein, fat and lean beef for reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors. Roussell also shared the latest research on lean beef in a heart-healthy diet.

“These health professionals are at the front lines when it comes to providing critical care,” Roussell said following his presentation. “They have a great opportunity to talk to patients about using simple, evidence-based strategies for using nutrition and protein as part of a healthy dietary pattern to support heart health.”

The Iowa School Wellness Conference featured an exhibit with resources and information highlighting beef as a food for strength. IBIC reached more than 75 instructors and health professionals, including physical education, health and after-school instructors, school nurses and wellness coordinators. 

“These resources can be used to engage students, parents and instructors to help enhance school wellness programs,” said Rochelle Gilman, IBIC director of nutrition and health.

Wellness conference attendees received a copy of the "Strength Field Manual," farm-to-gym exercises and a beef jerky trail mix recipe.

The national beef checkoff also recently helped sponsor the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians' Annual Spring Meeting & CME Conference.

The three-day educational event drew more than 200 family physicians, residents and students from across Pennsylvania, allowing the checkoff to engage directly with this influential group of health care professionals to share the positive benefits of beef. On site, staff highlighted the importance of beef as a food for strength by sharing the latest research on beef being included in the Mediterranean diet, the "Beef WISE" study and others. The new American Heart Assn. Heart Check-approved recipes and fact sheets were also shared with attendees.

The checkoff garnered more than 100 on-site engagements through an educational survey, conversations about patient concerns and sharing the latest research, recipes, nutrition tips and more.

Of those engaging with the beef booth through an on-site survey, 80% polled had a positive opinion of beef, and 20% had a neutral opinion of beef. No negative opinions of beef were noted, and most attendees were thankful for the beef checkoff’s sponsorship.

When talking with physicians and discussing the concerns of their patients, some topics of interest were learning cuts of lean beef to incorporate into a healthy diet, understanding beef’s nutritional profile and discovering beef’s versatility when it comes to meal planning and portion control.

After engaging with the beef booth, Rohin Saroya of Drexel University's College of Medicine said, “Nutrition is essential to a healthy lifestyle, and I enjoy working with patients to meet their current nutritional needs and weight management goals. Beef can play a key role in meeting these needs by discussing lean beef cut options and correct portion sizes.”