Grass-Fed Beef: The Healthy Red Meat

Rejoice! I am going to tell you about the OTHER red meat – grass-fed beef - which really CAN be what’s for dinner!

A Cow Eats Grass, Right?

None of us enjoys thinking about our double quarter pounder with cheese as it once was - a living, breathing animal. But just for a moment get past the gross-out factor and tell me what you picture when I say “cows”. I bet you envision a pastoral scene, where Ol’ Bessie lazily swats her tail while luxuriating in a pasture of lush green grass.

In fact, grass is what most of us automatically assume cattle eat. Well, times they have been a changin’. Reality is, the vast majority of cows that end up between a sesame seed bun are fed a diet predominantly made up of grain and corn.

Over the past 100 years modern agriculture has been able to increase production and profits by switching cows to a grain-based diet. This change has huge ramifications since it is a technique which is not only unnatural for the cow, but also unhealthy for the consumer.

A Note About Omega 3 and 6 Fats

— Not all fats are unhealthy! You NEED sufficient amounts of both Omega 3 and 6 in order to have proper cellular function.

— An imbalance where Omega 6 fats exceed Omega 3’s can create health issues.

— Grains are rich in Omega 6 fats, therefore agricultural techniques like grain-feeding livestock has drastically increased our intake of the Omega 6 fats in comparison to Omega 3’s

Why Is Grain-fed Beef Unhealthy?

A diet composed predominantly of grain creates an imbalance in the preferred 3:1 ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fat levels. Health problems such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, arthritis and cancer are owed to diets with an improper ratio between Omega fats.

Even when labeled “extra-lean”, grain-fed beef contains a high ratio of Omega 6 fats because they are inherent in the cell membrane.

More important facts about grain-fed beef:

- Grain-fed meat usually contains added hormones and antibiotics

- The total fat of grain-fed beef is high and saturated

- The E. coli danger associated with grain-fed beef is high

Grass-fed Beef: A Healthy Profile

- Leaner than grain-fed beef

- Contains the recommended ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fats (3:1)

- High in Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), beta carotene and vitamins A and E.

Taste The Grass-Fed Difference

Grass-fed beef tastes the way nature intended!

Personally, I adore ground bison aka buffalo burgers. Be sure to keep an eye on the grill as grass-fed beef cooks more quickly than grain-fed. I will tell you that the consistency, smell and rich flavor, while delectable, DOES differ from the grain-fed beef to which you may be accustomed.

The switch, however, is not from a superior to inferior product. Rather, the flavor is sweeter and richer than most beef. A taste made even more delectable by the fact that you get to feel indulgent but without the guilt! Imagine- now you’ll only have to lament the beer you washed your burger down with!

Go Big Red, Go Grass-Fed!

Love,
Health Sundae

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