Grass-fed products are definitely healthier for you. When you choose to eat these products, you are making a decision to protect your health and the animal population. So what actually is grass feeding? Grass-fed animals graze from natural grass pastures, not feedlots that contain processed feed and grains. These processed foods are bad for animals and humans.
Grass feeding actually isn't a new concept. All cattle were grass-fed before the increased demand for meat and dairy products in industrialized nations. This led to industrialized methods such as feedlots to meet the demands.
It is important to remember that grass-fed and organic products are not the same. Organic products help lower the risks to feed by eliminating harmful pesticides. They also typically have an improved nutrient count and quality. Organic does not certify a natural environment or diet for the animal. On the other hand, not all grass-fed cattle graze on organic farms. Below are five benefits of using grass-fed products:
Grass-Fed Beef
Grass-fed beef is not only healthier, but it has a stronger flavor and smell compared to regular beef. It is rich in healthy fatty acids, nutrients, and antioxidants, which can lower the risk of heart disease and cancer.
The high Vitamin E content can also aid in anti-aging. The overall fat content is also lower in beef from grass-fed cattle. This leads to significant reductions in caloric and cholesterol levels in the beef.
Grass-Fed Butter
Butter from all cows, grass-fed or not, is high in saturated fats and calories. What distinguishes grass-fed butter from conventional butter is that it is rich in fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins.
Some of the key vitamins and acids include the following: Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin K2, Butyric Acid and Arachidonic Acids.
Grass-Fed Dairy
Grass-fed dairy cows are not injected with harmful hormones that are widely used in the regular dairy industry. This reduces their milk output, but the animal and milk are healthier. Certification providers visit farms often to ensure they are strictly grass-fed. They also ensure that the animals are being treated properly.
Grass-fed whole milk has about eight grams of fat per cup. Farmers recommend drinking whole milk because it is the least processed and has the most healthy fats and nutrients.
Some fats in the milk can have probiotic benefits, which aid the digestive system. Other fats in the milk can reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol. The amount of healthy fats in grass-fed cow's milk is dependent upon the number of forage crops on the farm. Some forage crops grow naturally, while others are planted by farmers. Some other factors that can affect healthy fat content are age, breed, and health of the animal.
Grass-Fed Yogurt
Many people consider grass-fed yogurt the healthiest dairy product because of its excellent digestive benefits. These yogurts can increase energy, lower total cholesterol and increase good cholesterol.
Grass-fed yogurt can be very helpful in the prevention of diabetes by slowing the absorption of sugar, improving digestion and introducing healthy bacteria into the gut.
Pasture-Raised Eggs
Pasture-raised eggs, from grass-fed chickens, are the healthiest eggs you can buy. The hens live in fresh pastures, not in cages or cage-free barns. They are allowed to roam in their fresh pastures, eating natural seeds and bugs that haven’t been sprayed with pesticides. Besides being healthier, these eggs also taste and look better. They have more nutrients, but less fat and cholesterol than any other eggs.
Why Does it Matter
What you eat, and the quality of it, counts. The food we eat not only has an impact on our physical wellbeing, but our mental one too. As studies show that regular exercise and a healthy diet can decrease the chances of mental illness and substance abuse, it’s important that we watch what we eat. Grass-fed products are going to be of higher quality and ultimately better for your health.
In closing, grass-fed products are simply healthier in every way compared to conventional products. They also contain far more nutrients and healthy fats. So if you are health-conscious, grass-fed products should be on your grocery list.
