Beef & Fennel

Beef and fennel is a hearty dish that provides a range of nutritional benefits, including healthy protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Prepare it in several ways, although one recipe calls for braised beef with sauteed fennel along with carrots in a slightly thickened beef and wine broth. While it is moderately high in saturated fat, beef and fennel is appropriate for many diets.

Calories and Fat

A serving of one recipe for beef and fennel -- 1/4 of the total recipe -- contains 346 calories. If you eat a 2,000-calorie diet, the amount of calories in this beef dish accounts for 17.2 percent of what you may consume in a 24-hour period. You also take in 13.8g of fat per serving of beef and fennel; 5.1g of that fat is saturated. Limit your saturated fat consumption to 10 percent of your daily calories.

Protein

Beef and fennel makes a good choice for boosting protein intake. One serving of this dish provides 40.4g of this macronutrient, which satisfies a significant portion of the 46 to 56 of protein you require each day. Your body is in constant need of protein to replace proteins that are broken down in muscles and other tissues in your body.

Carbohydrates and Fiber

The beef in this beef and fennel dish is not known for its carbohydrate content, although the fennel and carrots in the recipe provide small amounts. Each serving of beef and fennel contains 11.4g of carbs; roughly 45 to 65 percent of your daily calories should derive from this macronutrient to provide you with energy. Beef and fennel provides 3.6g of fiber as well, although you need much more than this for best health -- for a 2,000 calorie diet, the recommended amount stands at 28g.

Vitamin B-12

Eat a serving of beef and fennel, and you take in 201 percent of the daily recommended intake of vitamin B-12. Your body does not store the extra amount, however, as this vitamin is water soluble. Not getting enough vitamin B-12, also known as cobalamin, in your daily meal plan may trigger lethargy and gastrointestinal problems, although elderly people are most at risk. Serve beef and fennel for dinner if you are older to help combat these potential problems.

Selenium

One serving of beef and fennel provides 60 percent of the selenium you require each day. The selenium in beef and fennel is important for the function of your thyroid, and your immune system relies on it as well. Note that you should consume more selenium if you are pregnant or breast feeding -- you require an additional 5 to 15 mcg of selenium per day.