The MAGIC that is Grass Fed Beef

THE SCIENCE

Did you know not all beef is created equal? There IS a difference between grass fed and finished beef, and grain fed feedlot beef.

Grass fed cattle spend their entire lives eating only grass; they are not fed any grains. In the spring, summer and fall, cows graze on pasture, and in the winter, they eat hay (dried grasses) and haylage (fermented grasses). Our cows are also out on range so they eat plants and shrubs and leaves as well, and the breeds we have are very good at foraging for all kinds of goodies, especially the Highlands!

A highland steer foraging on the range

Unlike grain fed cattle, 100-per-cent grass-fed animals take six to 12 months longer to reach market weight. Up to one year of extra grass, care and labour is predominately why grass-fed beef may be pricier than most cuts of conventional beef.

Grass-fed beef is leaner and lower in calories than grain-fed beef due to less marbling, the visible flecks of fat in your rib-eye steak and prime rib roast. Our beef, however, is STILL beautifully marbled AND better for you!

Most claims, however, focus on omega-3 fats, in particular alpha linolenic acid (ALA). Higher intakes of this plant-based omega-3 fatty acid are associated with a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and depression.

According to Dr. Richard Bazinet, a professor in the department of nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto who analyzes fatty acids in beef, grass-fed beef outranks grain-fed beef when it comes to ALA.

Conventional beef has about 20 milligrams of ALA in three ounces, whereas the same amount of grass-fed beef has 50 to 100 mg.

Making the switch to other grass-fed animal foods, such as pasture-raised poultry and eggs and grass-fed dairy, could conceivably make an appreciable difference towards your daily ALA needs.

Analyses have also revealed that, compared to grain-fed beef, grass-fed beef has a higher concentration of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid thought to have anti-cancer properties.

Grass-fed beef is also higher in antioxidants such as beta carotene and vitamin E than conventional beef.

IN A NUTSHELL

Some benefits of grass-fed beef include:

Grass-fed beef contains more healthy fats (than conventional beef)

Grass fed beef provides up to six times more omega–3 fatty acids than grain-fed beef. Grain-fed beef, on the other hand, contains higher levels of omega–6 fatty acids, which are already eaten in surplus in most standard North American diets.

Grass-fed beef has few calories, due to its lower fat content

Beef from grass-fed cattle is lower in total fat content because their diet is more natural and clean.

Grass-fed helps support healthy blood sugar levels

Beef from grass-fed cows contains a certain beneficial fatty acid called CLA (conjugated linoleic acid). CLA can help prevent several diseases and conditions like obesity and diabetes

Grass-fed beef contains electrolytes

One grass-fed strip steak contains 732 milligrams of potassium, 49 milligrams of magnesium, and 118 milligrams of sodium

Grass-fed beef can help keep your heart healthy, reducing the risk of heart disease

Clinical evidence concludes a decreased risk of heart disease with an increased consumption of CLA, a nutrient abundant in grass-fed beef. Grass-fed beef can help improve your heart health as it contains; Antioxidants such as vitamin E, High amounts of omega–3 fatty acids, Less unhealthy fats, Lower amounts of bad cholesterol (known as LDL cholesterol) a marker of cardiovascular disease.

Can’t beat a prime rib roast!

Grass-fed beef is an incredibly nutrient-dense protein that can be worked into almost any healthy diet. Grass-fed beef contains:

  • Two times the amount of lutein and beta-carotene compared to grain-fed.

  • 500–800 mg of CLA, which is up to three times the amount over grain-fed beef.

  • Up to 3.5 grams of omega–3 fats in grass-fed beef (the maximum amount for grain-fed is 1 gram).

In just one grass-fed strip steak (214 grams) you’ll receive:

  • 49 g protein

  • 45 mg omega–3 fatty acids

  • 0.3 mg Riboflavin (16% DV)

  • 14.3 mg Niacin (72% DV)

  • 1.4 mg Vitamin B6 (70% DV)

  • 28 mcg Folate (7% DV)

  • 2.7 mcg Vitamin B12 (2.7% mcg)

  • 1.5 mg Pantothenic Acid (15% mg)

  • 139 mg Choline

  • 16.3 mg Betaine

  • 19 mg Calcium (2% DV)

  • 4 mg Iron (22% DV)

  • 49 mg Magnesium (12% DV)

  • 454 mg Phosphorus (45% DV)

  • 732 mg Potassium (21% DV)

  • 118 mg Sodium (5% DV)

  • 7.7 mg Zinc (52% DV)

  • 45 mcg Selenium (64% DV)