Many, in the interest of their health, have chosen not to eat red meat. However, the truth is that it’s not the meat itself that is the issue. The health hazard seems to be the rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) and carcinogenic preservatives such as sodium nitrate.
On top of that the diets that these farm animals are fed and the filthy conditions in which they are reared make red meat uniquely suspect. Humanely raised red meat is a different animal altogether.
More than just feeling good about being humane, naturally raised beef is healthier for consumption. Cattle are naturally grass-eaters – grazing in the pasture is what they’re meant to do. As a result, there are some healthy benefits to raising cattle the way they were born to be raised.
- Pasture-raised beef contains the proper Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio. This means that pasture-raised beef contains up to 20 times the amount of Omega-3 per serving when compared to mainly grain-fed beef.
- Pasture-raised meat cooks 40% faster so it is easily overcooked, hence the reputation of being “gamier”. When cooked properly however it is arguably much more flavorful than grain fed beef.
- Pasture-raised meat contains up to 100 fewer calories per 6-ounce portion than conventional beef
- Pasture-raised beef may help to cure rather than promote cancer. This is because it contains one of the most potent anti-cancer compounds known: CLA (conjugated linoleic acid).
- Pasture-raised beef also contains protein, iron, zinc and lots of B vitamins.
So, feel good about your decision to go with pasture-raised because of the humane way cattle are raised, but know also that grazing is what was meant to be and as such has many nutritional and health benefits over conventional beef.