Is Grass-Fed Beef Really Worth the Price?

A few years ago I came across a quote about the price of organic food.

I get that organic food can be expensive, and spending more is tough for sure.

But as the quote eloquently put it, “you think the price of organic food is expensive, have you priced cancer lately?”.

That quote came from Joel Salatin.

Joel is an “American farmer, lecturer, and author. Salatin raises livestock on his Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley. Meat from the farm is sold by direct marketing to consumers and restaurants.”

Joel knows a thing or two about organic food and grass-fed beef.

His argument, and one that I’m making too, is that focusing your diet on higher-quality foods is going to help pay massive dividends.

It’s like investing... in your body… and not on Tesla.

I think grass-fed beef really is worth the price.

It’s not because it’s a fad. Eating grass-fed beef is actually how humans ate for eons (I don’t think I’ve ever used that word on my blog before), and the recent switch to McRibs and Whoppers where beef came from cows raised in feedlots and are pumped full of steroids and antibiotics is the opposite of how we should be eating.

And it’s why there are so many health problems today that we didn’t have to deal with before.

As you’ll see though, not only is eating grass-fed wonderful for your health…

Your tongue will prefer it too. I know mine does.

So, let me show you why spending an extra buck or 2 on beef is absolutely worth it!

Grass-Fed Beef Is Better and Here’s Why

Grass-fed cows are arguably happier cows.

Not that they have the same range of emotions as humans, mind you…

But I do like knowing that a cow I’m eating lived a good life. And I also like to think of happy cows... as it makes me happy, too.

There’s no “research” to show that happy cows make better food, but there is research to show grass-fed cows make better food.

Here’s how:

1 - It Has a Better Nutrition Profile:

When we’re talking about grass- fed beef, the nutrients it delivers actually span a large  profile.

I’ll get into fat content in a second.

But when it comes to just regular old “run of the mill” nutrients grass-fed beef shines.

Both grain- and grass-fed beef are highly concentrated sources of nutrients.

Grass-fed beef offers vitamin B12, B3, and B6.

Then, it gives you a ton of bioavailable iron, selenium, and zinc. In fact, believe it or not, almost every nutrient you need to live is in grass-fed beef.

Not to mention it delivers creatine and carnosine important nutrients for muscle and brain development and function.

This is true of both conventional beef too.

Where grass-fed shines is in that it gives you more of many of these nutrients when compared to feed-lot beef.

Specifically vitamin A and vitamin E.

Considering the fact that these are critical antioxidants...and antioxidants help to fight cancer...it’s easy to see why that’s a big deal. 

2 - It Can Improve Blood Sugar Control:

You probably didn’t realize the patty between your burger buns could help deliver better blood sugar, did you?

Well, if you did that’s awesome, and if you didn’t - might I suggest if you’re trying to control blood sugar you not eat a burger with a bun? Unless it’s a low-carb, low-glycemic…

Anyways, I digress.

Because grass-fed beef is typically high in fat, you can count on it to help blunt insulin spikes.

And that being true, you ought to know there’s a special kind of fat in grass-fed beef that is shown to work against rising blood sugar levels. It’s called conjugated linoleic acid: or CLA.

CLA has actually been shown to help to control several diseases related to blood sugar issues. The way it helps with blood sugar is by helping to switch our bodies into a state of greater insulin sensitivity. Studies indicated that when people are given CLA in supplemental form they tend to demonstrate better insulin sensitivity as compared to those who aren’t on the supplement.

As grass-fed beef contains 2-3x more CLA than grain fed beef it’s clearly going to have a greater effect on blood sugar than its cheaper and “dirtier” counterpart.

3 - So Many Healthy Fats:

CLA is a healthy fat, for sure.

But it’s not the healthiest fat. Some of the healthiest fats in the world include Omega-3 DHA/EPA.

And grass-fed beef is one of the best sources of these fats outside of fish-based sources.
 
You may find this hard to believe, but there’s a chance that the grass-fed beef you eat could have 2 to 5 times more omega-3s than grain-fed beef. That’s a massive difference.

If you need a refresher on what omega-3s can do, take a look at this list from PerfectKeto.com:

• Alleviates Rheumatoid arthritis: Omega–3s are highly effective in decreasing all markers of inflammation[*].
• Helps with depression: Researchers have seen an increase in mental well-being by supplementing with omega–3 fatty acids[*].
• Helps you focus: Recent studies conducted show omega–3s to be a promising alternative to alleviate attention deficit disorders (ADHD) over stimulant medications[*].

4 - It Just Tastes Better*

If you survey people who eat grass-fed beef a lot of them are going to say it tastes better.

Now, I know this isn’t always going to be the case. Some people will like the taste of conventional beef more. Mainly because that’s what they’re used to.

But the taste is better - in the opinion of plenty of people.

Part of the reason is it’s cleaner, free of the impurities found in feedlot animals (which include bacteria).  And another is the fat and nutrient profile coming from the kinds of grass and hay the animal eats imparts real flavors you don’t find in corn and grain-fed beef.

I say you try it and be the judge - and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Grass-Fed Beef Is Everywhere So Enjoy Today

The best part about grass-fed beef is you can find it anywhere, and it’s actually getting cheaper.

Local farmers are now selling it directly to consumers, there are online sources for ordering so it comes delivered to your door, and you can even find it in Wal-Mart and your neighborhood grocery store.

I hope you enjoy the taste - and more importantly, the health benefits!