Food Face Off Part III: Commercial Meats VS Grass-Fed Meats

 Which Would You Choose?

Commercial Meats-

Many animals in factory farms never see direct sunlight; their feet never touch the earth, and they are unable to behave naturally. Chickens are crammed tightly into small cages stacked on top of each other; the birds cannot spread their wings or peck the ground. Pigs cannot root or nest; they live indoors, packed together on slatted or concrete floors. Cows are confined to stalls indoors or on dirt- and manure-covered feedlots. An estimated 70% of all antibiotics in the U.S. are fed to pigs, poultry and cattle merely to promote growth and to compensate for the unsanitary and confined conditions on factory farms. This medically unnecessary use of antibiotics fosters the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can spread to other animals and humans.

“Meat production in the United States has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. Many of today's farms are actually industrial facilities, not the peaceful, idyllic family farms most Americans think of."  www.farmsanctuary.org

 VS 

Grass-fed Meats-

According to Dr. Joseph Mercola - Beef, in its natural grass-fed state, is a health food of the highest order. Meat from grass-fed animals has half the saturated fat and has two to six times more omega-3 fats than that from grain-fed animals. Specifically, chickens that feed on pasture have 21 percent less total fat, 30 percent less saturated fat, 28 percent fewer calories and 100 percent more omega-3 fatty acids than do chickens given high energy specialty feeds. Furthermore, Grass-fed beef is loaded with other natural minerals, vitamins, and is a great source of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) a fat that reduces risk of cancer, obesity, diabetes, and a number of immune disorders.

“When we switch from grain-fed to grass-fed meat, then, we are simply returning to the diet of our long-ago ancestors, the diet that is most in harmony with our physiology. Every cell and every system of our bodies will function better when we eat products from animals raised on grass."

Why Grassfed Products are Better For You, www.mercola.com

Find a local farmer near you at www.localharvest.org or order GRASS-FED MEATS HERE

Why Grass-Fed Beef is Better!

People often ask me if red meat is good for them.  My answer is yes and no. Yes it can be good for you if you eat meat from HAPPY cows!  Happy cows get out on the pasture and eat grass (that is what a cow should be eating by the way).  Pastured animals are full of great health benefits (see below), live less stressed lives, are better for the environment and support sustainable farming.  Grass-fed beef can be part of a healthy diet, whereas grain-fed (commercial) meats should be avoided or minimized.  I do not recommend people eat meat if they are only eating out at restaurants and/or getting poor quality meats at the grocery store that are full of antibiotics, hormones and an improper balance of fats.  To find resources in your area for good quality, healthy, grass-fed meat visit www.eatwild.com. Or order online at www.uswellnessmeats.com.

Grass-fed beef is full of wonderful health benefits such as:  

• 4 times more CLA than grain-fed beef (CLA benefits include: anti-carcinogenic, increased lean body mass, prevents arteriosclerosis, slows or halts diabetes)
• Ideal Omega 6:3 Ratio of 3:1 - equal to fish without mercury!
• High in branch chain amino acids
• Risk of E. coli bacteria is minimal
• 3-6 times more Vitamin A & E than grain-fed beef - reduces risk of cancer and heart disease
• 1/3 few calories than grain-fed beef
• more of vitamins A and E
• NO Animal by-products 
• NO Hormones
• NO Irradiation
• NO Antibiotics fed

VS.

Grain-Fed beef not so wonderful qualities:

• Insignificant amount of CLA
• Omega 6:3 ratio of 20:1 is very adverse to health
• More total fat and higher % of saturated fat
• Less than 1/4 the vitamins A & E than grass-fed beef
• 1/3 MORE calories than grass-fed beef
• Acidic digestive system from grain diet leads to greater risk of E. Coli Bacteria presence
• Antibiotics added daily to feed ration
• Growth stimulating hormone routinely used
• Irradiated meat sold in most meat cases