Demand for grass fed meat has grown hugely in recent years, among both producers and consumers, and it’s not hard to see why. We’ve all become more health conscious in recent years, and more aware of the effect industrial-scale meat production can have both on our dietary health and the health of our environment. If you want to include meat in your diet, grass fed produce is the way to go.
Grass fed meat refers to meat that comes from animals raised slowly on a natural diet of grass, flora, cloves and other legumes. But what makes it so much better than grain fed meat?
It’s better for your health
A healthy animal produces healthier meat; it’s that simple. But how much healthier is grass fed meat than grain fed meat?
Grass fed meat is much leaner, yet it contains more healthy fats like Omega-3 which maintain heart health. It is also much higher in key vitamins, especially vitamins A and E. Grain fed meat on the other hand is much fattier and has much less nutritional value, as the grains the animal eats are high in carbohydrates to make them grow bigger faster.
The grass and plants animals eat on the pasture produces antioxidants to protect from UV rays, disease and premature aging. When this is digested by the animal, the antioxidants accumulate in their fat, which is then transferred to us when we eat their meat. Who knew a beef burger could be so good for you?
It’s better for the environment
The production of industrial livestock raised on a diet of soy and corn (grains) has led to farming monocultures and needless deforestation in some parts of the world.
Rearing animals entirely on pastureland is a much greener way to farm. When cattle are encouraged to graze on pastureland, it increases the fertility of the soil, which has a significant effect on carbon emission levels. Clover rich pastures also don’t need to be maintained with fertilizers or pesticides, which include nitrates that do immense harm to the environment.
It’s better for the animal
As for the livestock themselves, since a natural pasture diet provides them with all the necessary vitamins and minerals, they typically grow healthier and require far less veterinary attention (which cuts down on bills for the farmer too). Grain fed animals often have health problems due to them not being able to work off all the carbs and sugar they are ingesting. If they require the intervention of antibiotics or other medicines, these may even be present in the meat they produce.
It’s better for the meat
Last, but certainly not least, grass fed meat just tastes better!
Because the animals are raised slowly and naturally on a diet that changes with the seasons, their meat is of a much better quality than grain fed alternatives, and has an unbeatable depth of flavour. Once you’ve had grass fed meat, you’ll never go back.
Grass fed meat is sometimes hard to find in your local supermarket, so your safest bet is to go online. Companies like the Dorset Meat Company sell 100% grass fed meat from small, local, family-run farms, delivering them straight to your door at a time and date chosen by you. Before the meat is delivered, it is prepared by a master butcher, so it of the very finest quality, as well as flavour.
Bon appétit!