“You are what you eat” is a saying you’ve likely heard since you were a child. There’s definitely some merit to it. After all, what you put in your body is the building blocks for your cells, muscles, organs, hair, nails, etc. If it’s that important, shouldn’t we pay closer attention to what our meat eats?
In recent years, there have been a lot of labels popping up around meat. Things like grass fed, grass finished, grain fed, antibiotic-free, hormone free, etc. But how do we know exactly what these labels are telling us? Let’s take a look…
What is grass-fed beef?
Grass fed beef is talked about a lot, especially 100% grass fed. But what does that mean, exactly? Well, that’s because not all beef is grass fed. The majority of cattle raised for consumption spend some time in pastures eating grass, but are moved later in their life to a feedlot for “grain-finishing” where they’re fed grains to bulk up.
This “grain finishing” happens because it’s cost effective. Cops like corn, soy, and other types of feed are used as fattening agents to bulk up the cattle before slaughter. These foods are high in starch which causes cattle to gain weight at a quicker rate. Since this occurs at a feed-lot, a lot less land is needed to produce the same amount of beef products. This results in the lower quality and inexpensive beef we see on our grocery store shelves today.
As we start to pay more attention to what we eat and the quality of our food, we’re becoming more aware that what our food eats affects us too. The demand for grass fed and finished beef is growing, which means more farmers are responding to make higher quality beef products available.
Common Questions
What nutritional benefits does 100% grass-fed beef offer?
100% grass fed beef products are a healthier alternative to the more conventional grain-finished beef products. Grass fed and finished beef is typically lower in calories and has less saturated fat, with higher amounts of healthy fat and protein. It contains a higher amount of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, which is associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as other nutritional benefits.
You’ll see the difference when looking at the meat. There is less marbling on grass fed meat, whereas the appearance of fat is much more noticeable in a piece of beef that has been grain-finished.
What’s the difference between “grass fed” and “100% grass fed”?
“Grass fed” beef cattle is often finished with corn or other grain to fatten up the cattle in the last few months. “100% grass fed” beef cattle are on a forage diet their entire lives.
What health benefits does 100% grass fed beef offer?
Health benefits of 100% grass fed beef are believed to be:
- Lower in fat & calories
- Likely to contain more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids
- Contain more conjugated linoleic acid
- Contain more antioxidant vitamins, like vitamin E
Where can I buy grass fed beef near me?
The easiest way to buy 100% grass fed beef is to have it delivered to your home! Head to MoveCamp.ca to get your coupon for TruLOCAL boxes. All of the TruLOCAL products are top quality and clearly labeled so you know what you’re getting.
Once you’ve got your coupon, you’ll create your account at trulocal.ca, choose what size box you want, and then choose how often you would like your box delivered. From there, you will be able to fully customize your box. Once you are happy with your order, sit back, relax and your box is on its way!