Are you curious about the quality of the beef you’re buying at the grocery store?
With so many labels and claims on packaging, it can be difficult to know what you’re really getting.
One label that’s been gaining popularity is “grass fed,” but what does that really mean? And is Marketside Butcher beef truly grass finished?
Let’s take a closer look at the standards for grass fed beef and how it differs from conventionally raised beef.
Is Marketside Butcher Beef Grass Finished?
Marketside Butcher beef is indeed grass-fed and grass-finished. This means that the cattle are raised on pastures where they are able to roam free and graze on grasses from birth to harvest. They are never given any added hormones, antibiotics, or steroids.
Grass-fed beef is different from conventionally raised beef in several ways. Firstly, almost every animal raised for beef is grass-fed for most of its life. However, it’s the last few months, known as “finishing,” that makes a difference. Nearly all beef cattle in the U.S. are finished on rations that include food waste, silage, and grains in feedlots known as concentrated animal feeding operations.
In contrast, grass-fed cattle remain on pasture eating fresh or stored grasses until they are harvested. This results in a leaner, firmer beef with a unique flavor profile. Additionally, grass-fed beef is higher in nutrients such as omega-3 essential fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid, and antioxidants like beta-carotene and vitamin E.
Understanding Grass Fed Beef
To truly understand grass-fed beef, it’s important to differentiate between grass-fed and grass-finished. While the terms may seem interchangeable, they actually have distinct meanings. Grass-fed beef refers to meat from cattle that have primarily been fed grass, but may have received supplemental grain feed or been finished on a fully grain-based diet. On the other hand, grass-finished beef comes from cattle that have only ever eaten grass and forage for their entire lives.
It’s also important to note that not all grass-fed beef is created equal. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s standard for a ‘grassfed’ beef animal is that it be 50% grass-fed, meaning that the animal has only consumed grass for half of its life. However, this standard can be achieved in a variety of ways that may not align with the core standards of what grass-fed/grass-finished should be. For example, a pasture-raised animal could be fed a grain-based finishing diet for six months and still technically qualify as grass-fed, although not grass-finished.
When it comes to the benefits of grass-fed and grass-finished beef, there are several. Grass-finished beef is lower in calories than grain-finished beef and has higher levels of essential fatty acids like omega-3s and CLAs, as well as vitamins A and E. Additionally, grass-fed cattle are raised in a more natural environment and are not subjected to the same stressful conditions as feedlot cattle.
The Benefits Of Grass Fed Beef
Grass-fed beef has numerous benefits over conventionally raised beef. One of the main advantages is that it contains significantly lower levels of saturated fat, making it a healthier option for those concerned about their heart health. In fact, the fat content of grass-fed beef can be compared to that of skinless chicken. Replacing saturated fat in grain-fed beef with the unsaturated fat in grass-fed beef has been proven to reduce the risk of heart diseases.
Grass-fed beef is also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been found to help prevent and treat many diseases including heart disease, stroke, autoimmune responses such as lupus, eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, and a number of other conditions. Studies have found that grass-fed beef contains two to six times more omega-3 fatty acids than feed-lot beef.
In addition, grass-fed beef is higher in vitamins A and E, as well as other antioxidants compared to grain-fed beef. Antioxidants help prevent cell damage that can lead to serious diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Grass-fed beef also contains more CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), a fatty acid that has been shown to reduce body fat and increase muscle mass, as well as enhance the immune system.
Furthermore, grass-fed beef is a source of high-quality protein, containing every amino acid your body needs to make a complete protein building block. As part of a healthy lifestyle that incorporates good diet and exercise practices, the protein from grass-fed beef can help prevent sarcopenia — a loss of muscle mass that develops from a deficiency in protein over time.
Lastly, grass-fed beef is lower in calories due to its leaner marbling ratio, saving you around 200 calories per pound compared to conventionally raised beef. This makes it an excellent option for those looking to maintain a healthy weight or reduce their calorie intake.
Grass Finished Vs. Grain Finished Beef
When it comes to beef, the debate between grass-finished and grain-finished is a hot topic. Grain-finished beef refers to cattle that are fed a balanced diet of grain, local feed ingredients, and hay or forage at the feedyard. On the other hand, grass-finished beef comes from cattle that eat nothing but grass and forage for their entire lives.
One of the key differences between the two is the nutritional value. Grass-finished beef has higher overall nutritional value due to the nutrients it contains. For example, it has up to five times the amount of Omega 3 fatty acids that grain-finished beef has and double the amount of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA). Grass-finished beef also has more Vitamin E, Iron, and Zinc than grain-finished beef.
However, grain-finished beef tends to have more marbling and a whiter colored fat, which can contribute to its flavor and tenderness. It also has a lower carbon footprint than grass-finished beef due to more efficient utilization of feed in the finishing phase and greater amount of beef produced per animal.
When it comes down to it, both types of beef have their advantages and disadvantages. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and values. If you prioritize nutrition and sustainability, grass-finished beef may be the better choice for you. However, if you prioritize taste and affordability, grain-finished beef may be a better option.
In the case of Marketside Butcher beef, it is grass-fed and grass-finished, meaning that it offers the nutritional benefits of grass-fed beef while also being raised in an environmentally sustainable way.
How To Know If Your Beef Is Grass Fed And Grass Finished
When shopping for beef, it’s important to know the difference between grass-fed and grass-finished. Grass-fed beef may have been started on a grass diet but could have received supplemental grain feed or been finished on a fully grain-based diet. On the other hand, grass-finished beef comes from cattle that ate nothing but grass and forage for their entire lives.
To ensure that your beef is both grass-fed and grass-finished, look for labels that specifically state “100% grass-fed” or “100% grass-finished.” It’s important to note that some beef may be labeled as “grass-fed” even if they were not exclusively fed grass throughout their entire life.
Another way to ensure that your beef is grass-fed and grass-finished is to purchase from a reputable source. Look for local farmers’ markets or specialty meat shops that source their beef from farms that exclusively raise grass-fed, grass-finished cattle.
It’s also important to ask questions about the farming practices used to raise the cattle. A reputable farmer will be transparent about their methods and should be able to answer any questions you have about the feed and living conditions of their animals.
Making Informed Choices For Your Health And The Environment
When it comes to choosing the right type of beef for your health and the environment, it’s important to consider the farming practices used to raise the cattle. Grass-fed beef is considered to be a healthier option as it is leaner and contains more nutrients than conventionally raised beef.
Grass-fed cattle are raised in a natural setting, where they are allowed to graze freely on open pastures and eat fresh green grass. This results in beef that is free from added hormones, antibiotics, and steroids. In contrast, conventionally raised beef is often fed with grains and other food waste in feedlots, which can lead to the accumulation of harmful substances in the meat.
In addition to being healthier for consumers, grass-fed beef is also better for the environment. The farming practices used to raise grass-fed cattle are more sustainable and promote biodiversity. The cattle are able to graze on open pastures, which helps to maintain healthy soil and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.
By choosing grass-fed beef from responsible producers like Adena Farms and Marketside Butcher, you can make an informed choice for your health and the environment. You can enjoy delicious, high-quality beef that is free from harmful substances and raised in a sustainable way. So next time you’re at the grocery store, consider choosing grass-fed beef and support responsible farming practices.