Healthy Bison Meats Make The World News

Smoke Signals Magazine June 2003 

Media tycoon, Ted Turner has started a roadhouse-style restaurant chain called Ted’s Montana Grill. The first opened in Columbus, Ohio and their menu features 25 different Bison burgers and even Bison pot-roasts. They also have beef on the menu, for those unwilling to break the beef habit, however, early reports are that their BISON is easily outselling their beef. Ted’s Montana Grill’s are located at Columbus, OH; Peachtree City, GA; Norcoros, GA: Nashville, TN and Littleton, CO.

In the Practical Living {healthy eating} section of the October 2001 issue of the Diabetes Forecast, Robyn Webb, MS, LN writes on Bison, "I recently became a convert to this succulent meat. What I love most about bison is its superstar nutritional qualities." It has about 30% MORE protein and 25% LESS cholesterol than beef."

On September 5, 2001, President Bush & Mrs. Bush hosted their first black-tie dinner at The White House. Their guest was the Mexican President Vincente Fox & Mrs. Fox. The main course was bison, According to Mrs. Bush; "The entrée was just picked by acclamation. "Everyone said it was so delicious."

ABC news reported that "From a White House staff and a President that have made a point of slimming down even forming a Bush Administration Weight Watchers group, Bison is a low-fat, low-cholesterol alternative to steak that offers a slightly fuller flavor."

Reader’s Digest cited Bison\Buffalo meat as one of  the "Top 5 Foods Women Need Most." Saying that ‘Due largely to menstruation, women tend to be anemic more than men and low iron levels in blood can cause severe fatigue. To get a good dose of nutrition, try Bison. Bison\Buffalo, meat is lean and has what diet-conscious women want—Lots of iron and less fat than most cuts of beef. ‘The iron content is about 3 milligrams in a 3.5 ounce   uncooked portion," says Marty Marchello, Ph.D., at North Dakota State University. ‘That portion contains less than 3 grams of fat.’

"Buffalo meat can help boost energy and lower weight."  Weight Watchers Magazine added Bison meat to their "winning point Program."

The White House entertained nearly 900 NATO dignitaries in celebration of NATO’s 50th anniversary by serving grilled fillet of bison.

The Fort Restaurant, Denver, CO., has served Bison to world leaders including, Tony Blair, Jacques Chirac, Helmut Kohl, Ryutaro Hasimoto, and Boris Yelstin.

Bison Hot Dogs are served at the Atlanta Braves & Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Parks.

When professional golfer, Chi Chi Rodriguez, is on the Senior PGA tour he takes his buffalo meat with him as part of his post heart attack diet.

Bison meat is served on the USS John F.Kennedy aircraft carrier. “Buffalo is high in iron and low in fat, "Petty Officer Wayne Napples said. "At sea we serve 500 to 600 #’s of buffalo meat a day as sausage, hot dogs, hamburgers, Salisbury steaks or tenderloin."

The Food & Wine magazine has a seven-page article "Range Rovers" about Bison. "As I write about buffalo, my mouth begins to water," says the author "Since I came to Montana I’ve eaten a lot of buffalo. The meat is as good as the old-timers claimed." "When I eat buffalo, I am voting for the small, the stubborn, the persistent, the timeless. I’m getting closer to an ancient gift of the West that still survives." "‘People who raise buffalo seem to regard them not  just as livestock but as a force for good in the world."

The Time magazine did a feature on '"Eating Smart," and Bison was awarded four out of four hearts for being heart-healthy, lean and low in cholesterol.

The Muscle & Fitness magazine spotlights bison meat as a "Top pick," "Try it once and you’ll know why," states the article. Bison meat ‘provides as much B6 and iron as beef, but has a richer flavor and HALF the fat! What’s more, it’s reasonably priced."

American Heart Association has included bison as a lean meat option in their brochure: An Eating Plan for Halthy Americans. The AHA recommends eating less saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, and maintaining a healthy weight. Choosing a proper portion of bison is part of the AHA eating plan.

Food & Wine magazine  was devoted to what they called one of the great trends of the Nineties: Healthful eating, meaning "simple food that indulges the eye and palate as well as the desire for a trim waistline." Finishing at #4 out of the top 25 was Bison, "The hot low-fat meat."

The Men’s Fitness magazine advised it’s 500,000 health conscious and “nutritionally cooped up readers” to “take a break from chicken breasts with an alternative protein powerhouse.” In recommending bison, Men’s Fitness writes, “Just pure, low=fat protein. Once on the verge of extinction, the buffalo has been bred out of the fire and into the frying pan.” From body builders to food and win connoisseurs, bison has become the latest culinary phenomenon.”

The Bon Appetit magaine states, "For a taste of the  Old West, try a succulent buffalo steak," "the tender, juicy meat, which has a flavor similar to that of beef, is available in fillets, sirloins, roast and rib eyes."

Supermarket News magazine reported that “Demand is growing for lean buffalo meat, a speciality item that’s become an appealing alternative to beef – and more common in supermarket meat cases.”

The Farm Bureau’s—The Farm News contained an article entitled Buffalo meat gaining favor. They said, "The flavor of buffalo meat is smooth and is not strong or tough. Bison meat is naturally flavorful and tender and many notice a sweeter taste than with beef, which adds to the richness of the meat." "Buffalo meat contains less fat, calories and cholesterol than chicken and fish and less fat than beef. The meat contains shorter fibers making the meat more tender." "Protein analysis of the buffalo meat shows that it has an excellent distribution of amino acids, giving it more complete protein that other red meats." And "Consumers get more meat for their $! There is no fat to trim or out in buffalo, so there’s more edible meat in comparison to other meat products." "Buffalo Dogs, the newest love of Bison meat has become one of the fastest selling products. The taste is better than most other lines of hot dogs with a seasoning that’s delicious and robust in size." The article also spoke about the higher iron content of Bison meat and the popularity of Bison meat among bodybuilders.

Cooking Light magazine featured bison in an article titled “Home on the Range,” focusing on cowboy culture. After tasting Spicy Buffalo Chili, the writer gushed, “When Waylon and Willie warned mommas not to let their babies grow up to be cowboys, they sure weren’t talkin’ about the food.”

Publications such as Gourmet, Saveur, Country Living, Readers Digest, Canadian Living and Taste of Home’s have also featured succulent, full-page pictures of bison dishes. From grilled bison tenderloin and buffalo stew to bison hot dogs, editors are extrolling the re-discovered benefits and flavour of bison meat.