May 5--When it comes to calories, 100 is a magic number.
Easy to keep track of, hundred-calorie snacks promise a measure of pleasure that won't blow the whole diet.
Psychologically, 100 represents a threshold. It means "OK, you can eat it" -- even if it doesn't sound like diet food.
Satisfying our cravings, we've munched on handy 100-calorie servings of pudding, cinnamon crisps, crackers, pretzels, mini cupcakes and granola bars -- all with the smug feeling that we were still watching our waistlines. From beer to brownies, hundreds of 100-calorie products have been introduced as formerly forbidden treats that have been slimmed down to meet that arbitrary limit.
Now, another breakthrough: the 100-calorie steak.
Marketed by Oklahoma-based Chef's Requested, this mini-marvel promises all the flavor and satisfaction of a big slab of beef without the guilt.
"There are many 100- calorie products available now that are made with items that most people would otherwise consider indulgent," said Gary Whetstone, retail brand manager for Chef's Requested Foods. "Now health-conscious consumers can have a delicious and satisfying steak without all the calories and fat."
Officially called the Flat Iron Grill Steak, this 100- calorie bit of beef -- a slice of lean, boneless choice chuck steak -- is infused with 20 percent water and marinade. Each steak weighs 3.75 ounces before cooking and has about 3.5 grams of fat.
Offered at Walmart Supercenters in packs of three for a suggested retail price of under $6, the 100-calorie steaks are "guaranteed tender, juicy and delicious."
Noting that the product has been certified by the American Heart Association, Whetstone said, "By choosing products like our 100-calorie Flat Iron Grill Steak, consumers can take a step toward healthier eating."
A hundred-calorie steak? Sure, we'll bite.
"Flat iron" refers to the cut, not the cooking method; it's a chuck steak from the shoulder blade. (This cut is sometimes called "top blade steak.") They usually are well marbled and ideal for grilling.
That's one way to prepare the Chef's Requested steaks, which can also be pan-fried (two minutes a side) or roasted (about 20 minutes). Their size and speed of preparation make them ideal for steak and eggs or a steak sandwich.
Compared with a raw 8-ounce top sirloin, the 100-calorie steaks looked steamrolled. But the latter did puff up when cooked and stayed surprisingly juicy.
The garlic-chili pepper marinade gave them some bite. And the little steaks definitely satisfied a beef craving.
How do they stack up against, say, a traditional top sirloin? That 8-ounce portion of sirloin has 400 calories and 11.4 grams of fat -- four times the calories and more than three times the fat of the flat-iron alternative. (It should be noted that many nutritionists recommend keeping steaks under 4 ounces.)
The 100-calorie steaks can't compare with a restaurant-style bacon-wrapped filet topped with mushrooms. But for beef lovers counting calories, they could be a prime pick.
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Call The Bee's Debbie Arrington, (916) 321-1075.
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