A Guide to Grass-Fed Meat

If you’re a meat-eater, you may have come across grass-fed meat in your favorite restaurant or supermarket. Available at Sevens Sons and other high-quality butchers, grass-fed meat is thought to be a healthier choice for both you and the animal. But what exactly is grass-fed meat? And should you try to incorporate it into your diet?

In this blog post, we’ll be sharing some of the top benefits of eating grass-fed meat. Whether you’re looking for beef to make homemade galbitang or chicken to make kimbap, read on to find out more.

What Is Grass-Fed Meat?

As its name suggests, grass-fed meat comes from animals that have grazed on grass throughout their lifetime.

Because the worldwide consumption of meat has more than tripled over the last 50 years, many farmers are trying to produce meat more quickly in order to meet the demand. This has led many to give their animals grain feed, which his typically designed to make the animals gain mass very quickly.

In the wild, animals such as cows and sheep eat mainly grass. Their stomachs have adapted to digest grass efficiently. Grain isn’t always a sustainable diet for them.

When meat is advertised as grass-fed, it’s often an indication that the animals have enjoyed a natural diet with plenty of room to graze. This can mean they have had a better quality of life than other farmed animals.

What’s the Difference Between Grass-Fed & Grass-Finished?

To make matters a little more confusing, there are two terms you should be aware of when shopping for meat: grass-fed and grass-finished. Because grass-fed is not a regulated term in the United States, it’s often used to describe animals that eat mainly (but not exclusively) grass.

For example, a herd of cows may graze in open fields for most of the year, but move into cozy cow sheds during the winter months. Since the grass may not be suitable for eating in winter, the farmer may choose to supplement their diet with grain or corn until it’s warm enough for the cows to return to the fields.

Grass-finished meat, on the other hand, comes from animals that have eaten nothing but grass throughout their lifetime.

What Are the Benefits of Eating Grass-Fed Meat?

Although research into the long-term benefits of eating grass-fed meat is ongoing, many nutritionists believe this meat can be better for you. This is because animals that eat grass have a different nutritional makeup than grain-fed animals.

  • They have less fat, making the meat leaner.
  • They contain more conjugated linoleic acid, which is thought to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer when compared to other meats.
  • They are rich in antioxidants, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids.
  • They are lower in calories without being lower in nutrients.
  • They can reduce the risk of food poisoning.
  • They can promote healthy blood sugar levels.

Because of these potential health benefits, grass-fed meat is suitable for those following a ketogenic diet. Many people also believe that grass-fed meat tastes better, although this is a matter of personal preference.

How to Shop for Grass-Fed Meat

If you’re shopping for grass-fed meat in America, you may wish to stick to products that have been approved by the American Grassfed Association, otherwise known as AGA. This organization verifies that the animals are truly grass-finished and were never fed supplements such as hormones or antibiotics.

Alternatively, check that your meat is labeled as 100% grass-fed.

We hope this article has given you the confidence to shop for the highest-quality meats. Whether you’re concerned about animal welfare or nutrition, switching to grass-fed meat can be a great move for your family.