You’re at the grocery store reading organic, 100% grass-fed, free range, pasture raised, non-GMO… It’s all so overwhelming.
The food industry is confusing, and it’s not your fault. There are some real differences in the beef you buy, and grass-fed beef is not necessarily the type of meat that is going to help you shed inflammation and feel your best. You want to look for grass-fed finished beef.
Grass-fed beef and grass-fed finished beef are both produced from cows that have been raised on a diet of grass and other forages, rather than grain-based feed. However, below are two important differences between the two types of beef that consumers should be aware of.
One of the main differences between grass-fed beef and grass-finished beef is the length of time that the cow was raised on a grass-based diet. Grass-fed beef comes from cows that have been raised on grass for at least some portion of their lives, but may also have been fed grain-based feed at some point. Grass-finished beef, on the other hand, comes from cows that have been raised on grass for their entire lives.
Another difference is the taste, texture and nutritional content. Grass-finished beef tends to be leaner than grain-fed beef, and also has a slightly different taste, which some people find to be richer and more flavorful. Additionally, grass-finished beef tends to be higher in beneficial nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and antioxidants, as cows eating a diet of fresh grass have higher levels of these beneficial compounds in their meat.
When it comes to purchasing beef, it is important to read the label carefully and understand the different terms that are used. "Grass-fed" does not always mean "grass-finished", and some products may be labeled as "grass-fed" even if the cow was only fed grass for a short period of time. To ensure that you are getting the highest quality, most nutritious beef possible, look for products that are labeled as "grass-finished" or "100% grass-fed".
We pride ourselves on finding the best of the best when it comes to clean products, and meat is no exception. We spoke to Autumn Smith, Owner of Wild Pastures, on the Wake Up and Read the Labels Podcast, and she offers some great insight on this topic.
During this episode, Autumn discusses quitting her job as a celebrity personal trainer and building a business focused on clean meat, the importance of meat and animal products in our diet, and how to read the labels on meat.
You, too, can get access to grass-fed finished beef so that you can feel your best. Get 20% meat FOR LIFE plus free shipping by using this link to purchase your ethical and clean meat. Wild Pastures is an incredible company that Wake Up and Read the Labels is happy to promote.