WHAT'S COOKING: Superfood Spinach and Brilliant Beef!

Ground beef and spinach are two of the main ingredients used in this week's recipe.  Delicious, versatile, and packed full of vitamins and minerals, find out all about these two great ingredients here.

Also find out about the recipe, the chefs and microwave cooking.

While eating too much red meat may not be good for you, eating a moderate amount of red meat will provide you with vital nutrients your body needs to stay healthy.  The important thing is to make sure the ground beef you buy is lean.  This will cut down on the high fat content and calories which make it unhealthier.  Since ground beef is relatively inexpensive and can be used to create many different dishes, it is worth considering its nutritional benefits and incorporating it into your diet. 

Beef is a great source of protein which is essential for the body as it helps to build muscle and repair tissue.  The body needs to build muscle mass so it can stay physically active.  Protein also keeps you fuller for longer, so it has been linked to weight loss.  Red meat is also high in zinc and iron.  Zinc is important for growth, the immune system and it helps to promote brain health.  Iron is essential since it carries oxygen around the body to organs, cells and tissues.  Vitamin B-12 is also found in beef.  This is really good for you as this vitamin is necessary for the production of red blood cells.  Not getting enough vitamin B-12 can result in decreased levels of oxygen being sent around the body as red blood cells will not form properly.  Eating a four ounce hamburger patty will provide you with your daily recommendation of this vitamin. 

 Another ingredient used in this week’s recipe is spinach.  Spinach is a great vegetable to use as it low in calories, fat free and full of vitamins and minerals.  It’s also versatile and can be used in salads, sandwiches and wraps, soups and stews, with pasta and as a side dish to name just a few ideas!

Some of the vitamins and minerals found in this super food include vitamins K, A, C, B2 and B6.  All of these vitamins are extremely important to have in your diet for your health and wellbeing.   For instance, the vitamin K found in spinach is important for healthy bones as it can help prevent them from weakening or fracturing.  It is also important for healthy blood clotting, which although may not seem the most important thing, it is actually extremely important that our body maintains the correct level of blood clotting. 

Spinach is also packed full of iron, which is important as it carries oxygen around the body which we need in order to have enough energy.  Spinach also boasts antioxidant properties as it is loaded with flavonoids.  Antioxidants protect the body from free radicals, which can help to protect against cancer.  Another way in which spinach can help protect against cancer is that it contains nutrients which act as anti-inflammatories.  Inflammation is a known risk for cancer, so eating spinach may help with this.  So adding some spinach to your diet certainly seems like an easy way to get some great health benefits.    

Richard showed off how great he was feeling after enjoying his hamburger and spinach!