Why grass fed beef is better for you: 25 important reasons
In today's article we take a beginners overview and outline why grass-fed beef is better for you: 25 important reasons which should be enough to at least get you to try if you are a first timer to grass-fed beef.
If you're not familiar with the concept of grass fed beef, it simply means that the cattle were raised on a species appropriate diet of just grass, instead of the more common grain-based / commercial feed diet.
Grass-fed beef is often lauded for being healthier than its grain-fed counterpart so we give a beginners into into why it may be worth your while introducing grass-fed beef to your diet.
- It's higher in nutrients.
- It's lower in calories.
- It has a healthier fat profile.
- It's higher in antioxidants.
- It's higher in cla (conjugated linoleic acid).
- It's lower in unhealthy omega-6 fatty acids.
- It's a good source of vitamin e.
- It's a good source of beta-carotene.
- It's a good source of potassium.
- It supports heart health
- It may reduce the risk of cancer
- It's good for the environment
- It's more humane
- It tastes better
- It's healthier for the animals
- It's available in more places
- It's a leaner meat
- The fat is healthier
- You're supporting local farmers
- You know what you're getting
- It's a natural product
- You can feel good about eating it
- It may help you lose weight
- It's good for muscle building
- You might avoid foodborne illness
1. Grass-Fed Beef is Higher in Nutrients
Grass-fed beef is higher in a number of important nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin E, beta-carotene, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Grass-Fed Organ Meats in particular such as Grass-Fed Beef Liver are loaded with nutrients.
2. Grass-Fed Beef is Lower in Calories
A leaner meat means fewer calories. In fact, popular grass-fed beef steaks such as Picanha or Ribeye steaks can be as much as 100 calories lower per serving than grain-fed beef.
3. Grass-Fed Beef has a Healthier Fat Profile
Grass-fed beef especially Regenerative Organic Grass-Fed Beef is lower in saturated fat and higher in heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are associated with a host of health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease and inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
Another form of fat found around the heart of kidney of cattle called Beef Suet is a tremendous source of the fat soluable vitamins A,D, E and K.. Other health benefits of eating suet include stimulating the release of glucagon, the hormone that signals to your body that it's time to burn stored fat, high in omega 3's, and Suet has a high smoke point therefore reducing oxidative stress.
4. Grass-Fed Beef is Higher in Antioxidants
Antioxidants are important nutrients that help protect your cells from damage. Grass-fed beef is higher in antioxidants like glutathione and superoxide dismutase (SOD), which can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.
5. Grass-Fed Beef is Higher in CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid)
CLA is a type of healthy fat that's been shown to have a number of health benefits, including weight loss, reduced inflammation, and improved blood sugar control. Grass-fed beef is higher in CLA than grain-fed beef.
6. Grass-Fed Beef is Lower in Unhealthy Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Omega-6 fatty acids are essential for good health, but too much can lead to chronic inflammation. Grass-fed beef is lower in omega-6s than grain-fed beef, which can be beneficial for those at risk of inflammatory conditions like heart disease and arthritis.
7. Grass-Fed Beef Good Source of Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage. It's also been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. Grass-fed beef is a great source of fat soluable Vitamin E.
8. Grass-Fed Beef is a Good Source of Beta-Carotene
Beta-carotene is a vital nutrient which our body will convert into vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for good vision, immune function, and cell growth. Grass-fed beef is a good source of beta-carotene.
9. Grass-Fed Beef is a Good Source of Potassium
Potassium is a trace mineral that helps regulate our blood pressure, heart function and prevents muscle cramps. Grass-fed beef is a good source of potassium.
10. Grass-Fed Beef Supports Heart Health
The healthier fat profile of grass-fed beef can help support heart health. Grass-fed beef is lower in saturated fat and higher in healthy omega-3 fatty acids, both of which are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.
11. Grass-Fed Beef May Reduce the Risk of Cancer
The nutrients and antioxidants present in grass-fed beef may help reduce the risk of cancer. The higher levels of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) in particular have been linked to a reduced risk of breast cancer.
12. Grass-Fed Beef Is Good for the Environment
Grass-fed beef is better for the environment because it requires less to no municipal water and no reliance on growth hormones or antibiotics which are common in grain-fed feedlot beef. Grass-fed beef is also lower in greenhouse gas emissions and has far great atmospheric drawdown than feedlot beef for example.
13. Grass-Fed Beef is More Humane
The humane treatment of animals is important to many people. Grass-fed beef cattle are typically allowed to roam freely and graze on grass grown straight from the soil, which is their natural diet and natural predisposition. Grain-fed cattle, on the other hand, are typically confined to feedlots and fed a diet of grains, which cause multiple health problems due to poor diet, poor hygiene and overcrowding.
14. Grass-Fed Beef Just Tastes Better!
Many people believe that grass-fed beef tastes better than grain-fed beef. Grass-fed beef has a more intense beefy / umami flavor, and some say it's more tender and juicy.It is less fatty so does need to be cooked differently than conventionally raised beef to preserve that all important moisture.
Grass-fed Steaks like Picanha work so well with a great number of side dishes
15. Grass-Fed Beef is Better for Your Wallet
Grass-fed beef is often more expensive than grain-fed feedlot beef due to th higher cost of labor and longer time it takes for grass-fed cattle to reach market weight vs grain-fed feedlot beef i.e. 2 years vs 1 year.
However, Grass-Fed beef can be a better value when you factor in the added health benefits. The higher price tag is also worth it if you are concious about buying meat raised with higher animal welfare standards and is raised on a traditional system of food farming that is alot easier on our environment.
16. Grass-Fed Beef is Becoming More Available in More Places
Real Grass-fed beef is becoming more available as the demand for it increases. You can find it in most grocery stores and butcher shops.
17. Grass-Fed Beef is a Leaner Meat
Grass-fed beef is leaner than grain-fed beef, which means it has less fat. This makes it a healthier option for those who are watching their fat intake.
18. The Fat from Grass-Fed Beef is Healthier
The fat in grass-fed beef is healthier than the fat in grain-fed beef. Grass-fed beef is lower in saturated fat and higher in healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
19. You're Supporting Local Farmers
When you buy grass-fed beef, you're supporting local farmers and farming communities raising livestock the right way with an emphasis on soil conservation and the ecosystem where the animsl are raised. Grass-fed beef is typically produced by small family farms, rather than large factory farms who are solely focused on mass produced, cheaper feedlot beef.
20. You Know What You're Getting
When you buy grass-fed beef, you know exactly what you're getting. The meat is free of hormones and antibiotics and you know you are eating the beef from an animal that lived in an open air, outdoor environment on a species appropriate diet.
21. Grass-Fed Beef is a Natural Product
Grass-fed beef is a natural product that has not been processed or treated with chemicals. The cattle are allowed to graze on grass, which is their natural diet and living environment.
22. Grass-Fed Beef is Meat You Can Feel Good About Eating.
You can feel good about eating grass-fed beef because it's good for your health and the environment. It's also a humane and sustainable option.
23. Grass-Fed Beef May Help You Lose Weight
If you're trying to lose weight, grass-fed beef may be a good option for you. The leaner meat and healthier fat profile can help you reach your weight loss goals if you are working to a diet protocol that calls for reduced fat intake.
24. Grass-Fed Beef is Good for Muscle Building and Repair.
If you're looking to build or repair muscle, grass-fed beef can help. The higher protein content can help you build muscle mass, and the healthy fats can support muscle growth.
25. You Might Avoid Antibiotic Exposure
Grass-fed beef is less likely to be contaminated with growth hormones and antibiotics which are so prevalent in grain-fed feedlot beef operations. This is because the cattle are allowed to graze on grass, which is their natural species appropriate diet.