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Difference Between Grass Fed Beef And Grain Fed Beef

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Mary Slanker
Difference Between Grass Fed Beef And Grain Fed Beef

Grass-fed beef is widely perceived as the way to go when it comes to eating meat. However, some people are under the wrong impression that grass-fed beef is totally free of antibiotics and hormones, and various other drugs just that grain-fed cows get. The truth is, both grass-fed and conventional/grain-fed cows are subject to food safety regulations by the USDA, regardless of whether they are destined for the supermarket or a restaurant. Organic meat is becoming very popular in the modern world. The reason is that people want to eat natural and chemical-free food. Organic beef is not an exception when it comes to this category, but many of us don’t know much about it. 

What is Grass-Fed Beef? 

If you've ever seen cows on a farm, then you know that they are not walking around eating beef all day. They are eating grass. For most of the cow's life, it will eat grass and nothing else. Occasionally, farmers will add grains to the cow's diet to help it fatten up, but even then, the grass is still the primary food source for these animals. When you're buying "regular" beef at the grocery store or restaurant, this is what you're getting: cows that have spent most of their lives eating grass and grains. Grass fed beef is exactly what it sounds like: cattle that have eaten nothing but grass during their entire life. In fact, if a cow has been given anything other than grass (like grains), then it cannot be labeled as "grass-fed." It takes longer for a cow to grow when it's only been fed grass because it doesn't get the same nutrition from grass that it does from grains. 

What Is Grain Fed Beef? 

Grain fed beef is beef that comes from cows that have been fed a diet of grain. Most of the time, the cows are fed corn for the final months of their lives. This helps fatten them up and give them a higher fat content. However, not all grain-fed beef is created equal. Some farmers will use hormones in order to speed up the process and get bigger cows more quickly. This can lead to health concerns and some people will avoid hormone-fed grain fed beef because of it. You'll also find that not all feedlots use grains. Some will use grass or hay instead of corn, depending on what is available locally and what works best with the climate in their area. These cows are still considered to be grain-fed cattle even though there isn't any grain involved in their feed. 

Differentiate Grass Fed Beef And Grain Fed Beef 

While there are many differences between feeding cattle grains and feeding them grass, the difference in nutritional composition is one of the most striking elements. To begin with, grain-fed beef has a considerably higher concentration of saturated fats than its grass-fed counterpart. There are also considerable amounts of omega-6 fatty acids, which promote inflammation and contribute to a number of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and arthritis. While there is currently some speculation about the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids found in grass-fed beef, a recent study funded by the American Heart Association found that increasing daily intake of grass-fed beef did nothing to improve blood vessel function or cholesterol levels. 

Grass-fed cows have a longer life span and are able to roam freely in the pasture. Grass fed cows feed on grass year-round and there is no need for them to be fed with any other food such as grains or corn during winter months when there is less available pasture land. 

Grain fed cows do not live as long; they usually die after just three years due to being kept in small crates with little room to move around or exercise their muscles properly while they grow up. 

Conclusion 

Grass fed beef is better for you because it has a higher percentage of "good" fats, it has a healthier ratio of omega-3 to -6, it has less saturated fat and cholesterol, and it contains more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants than grain-fed beef. It has the perfect ratio of protein to fat to Omega-3. This ratio is important for those looking to cut back on carbs. Lamb meat is also one of the few foods lacking carbohydrates. Grass-fed beef also looks better: no marbelization (stripes) and leaner cuts of meat versus grain fed varieties. 

 

 

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