Beef producers weigh in on new food guide

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – The cattle industry is reacting to the new Canada Food Guide.

“The visual they’ve shown us is that there’s a protein group and that meat is an important part of that,” said Joyce Parslow, spokesperson with Canada Beef.

The new version moves away from a traditional focus on meat and milk and recommends we eat more plant-based foods.

READ MORE: Expert says food guide changes long overdue

Parslow said while the call is to eat less red meat, consumers have been doing that for some time.

She pointed out the guide does not call for a meat-free diet.

“They are not saying eat plant-based proteins instead of red meat, but they do call out the need to reduce consumption of empty calorie foods like pop and chips.”

CANADA’S NEW FOOD GUIDE

Parslow admitted there is some concern among cattle producers surrounding the perception that beef is a less healthy food option. She said the industry must do a better job getting its message out.

“A red meat like beef is a champion of protein, iron, zinc and B-vitamins,” Parslow said. “These foods aren’t totally interchangeable, for example, you can’t get vitamin B12 from plant-based sources of protein.”

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