Now there is a continuing, and may I add rather intense argument concerning the benefits of grass fed beef compared to grain fed beef. As with all disputes that become so emotionally charged, you can find quite a few claims as well as misinformation that go into either argument. This post will try to only touch on some of the issues; however will remove any "meat politics" which works throughout the dispute. Initially, two definitions are in order. Grass fed beef, we are going to refer to here, will be beef that's completely fed grass throughout the animal's life. Grain fed beef doesn't mean it's fed on grain throughout its years. For most of its existence it has been using grass, and then right before slaughter these cattle had been "finished" on grain. There are several nutrition experts as well as organic farmers have shed a poor light on this technique, on the grounds that it jeopardizes the nutrition value for the beef. So allow us to take a look at the two working with price, taste along with nutrition as the three basis of comparison: 1. Price. As the argument for grass fed beef has gained momentum, so as to answer that demand there has been more grass fed meats showing up in the stores. The first thing you'll notice is the higher price. The reason behind this is pretty simple: grain feeding gives the cattle a lot more mass, and as a consequence will bring the cost per pound down. This can be returned by lower costs in your store. 2. Taste. Just looking at grass fed beef as compared to grain fed sold in the market you will see a clear contrast. Grass fed will certainly be darker, which is due to the fact because it doesn't have the fat marbling you will note in high-grade grain fed meat. With feeding these livestock grain before slaughter they will not only add pounds at a quicker rate but are going to add fat. This will give this beef a really richer taste. 3. Nutrition. This is the area where proponents of grass fed beef are going to make their case. They are going to emphasize the points that they really are lower in calories, come with more vitamin A along with E, and moreover have a greater level of antioxidants. You will also hear the way this beef includes healthy omega-3 fats. Although this might be true, the amount of omega-3 fats within beef when compared with, for instance salmon will be negligible. This savings in calories though is notable. If you ate 67 pounds of beef annually, which is the average per person in the United States, by switching completely to grass fed beef you might save in excess of 16,000 calorie yearly. That does translate into plenty of pounds, and if you're trying to control your weight you would be wise to eat a lot less of those delicious, marbleized steaks. The debate will go on regarding this topic. And we've not even gotten into the antibiotics issue, and there's a lot there. Yet considering the fact that each side has an argument, and after that add all the environmental concerns (such as will we have sufficient grasslands to support grass fed beef only) we're going to probably always be offered alternatives. It is going to be up to us independently to determine which is ideal for us. The debate will go on concerning this issue. And we haven’t even gotten into the antibiotics question, and there’s a lot there. But considering the fact that each side has an argument, and then throw in all the environmental issues (such as do we have enough grasslands to support grass fed beef only) we will probably always be offered choices. It will be up to us individually to determine what is best for us. Cold water fish have many health benefits. Check out our website http://losethatbellyfat.info/ to see how you can incorporate these and other healthy foods into meal plans that are delicious and fun to prepare. Jim O'Connell is a writer and avid health advocate now living in Chicago.
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