Eating Grass-fed Beef Over Grain-fed Animals
Just like learning organic labeling, learning the difference between the way meat is produced can help you make an educated decision
. If you eat beef, you should already know that eating organic beef is healthier for you. However, you may not know about the differences between GRAIN and GRASS-based diets for cows.
Share:Cows on a grain-based diet eat high-calorie grains in feed lots, where they fatten quickly. While this is cheaper for cattle farmers and increases the efficiency of beef production, fattening cows with grain creates marbling effect, which increases fat and cholesterol levels. Grass-based diets, on the other hand, are just that - cows are raised on pastures and eat grass, like they're meant to!
The New York Times discusses the differences between the two by pointing to a new study from the California State University in Chico. After three decades, this new research breaks down how grass-fed beef compares nutritionally to grain-fed beef. And the winner is...GRASS-FED!
Research found that grass-fed animals are healthier, as they have lower levels of cholesterol. They also have higher levels of vitamins A and E, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, which we know are important for your cardiovascular health, as well as higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which helps support healthy muscle tissue.
Although the study went as far as to say it's not sure about the impact eating grass-fed beef will have on human health, it makes sense that eating beef WITH higher levels of vitamins, omega-3s and CLA is bound to be better for your health than beef that offers far less nutritional value. Plus, animals raised on grass-based diets are often raised in a more humane manner than their feedlot counterparts, and they are typically NOT given antibiotics or growth hormones.
The next time you're grocery shopping, look for grass-fed beef on the labels. If the label reads "process verified shield," then the meat has adhered to very specific standards for grass feeding, based on regulations set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Alternately, look for labels from the American Grassfed Association, which have even stricter standards for grass-fed beef.
Do you notice a difference between grass-fed and grain-fed beef? Tell us in the comments!
Photo: Cathy, Sam, Max and Mai Flickr Photostream/Creative Commons
by: Organic Liaison