Why Grass-Fed Plant Steak is the Perfect Choice for Health-Conscious Foodies

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Grass-fed meat has several nutritional advantages over conventional grain-fed beef. It is lower in calories and higher in healthy fats like Omega-3 fatty acids and CLA.

However, grass-fed beef tends to be leaner and more challenging if cooked properly. This can make some steak lovers reluctant to switch.

It’s High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Grass-fed meat contains more heart-healthy omega-3 fats than grain-fed meat. This type of fat is essential for proper cell function and brain health and is a crucial part of a healthy diet. It also has fewer unhealthy omega-6 fats linked to inflammation and disease.

In addition to healthy fats, grass-fed flank steak has higher levels of antioxidants than grain-fed meat. This is a good thing because these antioxidants help protect against the development of diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

The high concentration of antioxidants in grass-fed meat also means it can retain its freshness and juiciness longer than grain-fed beef. This is because the antioxidants can counteract oxidative damage to proteins, including muscle cells and lipoproteins. Grass-fed meat also has more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), one of the only naturally occurring anticarcinogenic nutrients that can prevent cancer. Studies have shown that people who eat more CLA-rich foods are at a lower risk of breast and colon cancer. Besides being rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fats, Grass-fed meat is also rich in the vital vitamin E. This nutrient helps slow the oxidation of polyunsaturated fats in the body and prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. It also boosts levels of glutathione and other protective antioxidants in the body.

It’s Low in Calories

Grass-fed beef contains less fat and fewer calories than grain-fed meat. A six-ounce steak from a grass-fed cow has about 100 fewer calories than the size cut from a grain-fed steer. Over a year, this can save an average person about 17 pounds.

The low-calorie content of grass-fed meat also means it is healthier. For instance, a study found that grass-fed meat had significantly more CLA, or conjugated linoleic acid. This healthy fat has anti-cancer properties and may help with weight loss, lowering cholesterol levels, improving muscle mass and strength, and strengthening bones.

Another health benefit of grass-fed meat is that it has more carnosine, an antioxidant that improves muscle function. This is because cattle raised on pasture eat more natural foods like grass and herbs instead of corn and soy products that are typically fed in feedlots. Moreover, the phytonutrients Stachydrine and homostachydrine are found in higher amounts in grass-fed meat than their grain-fed counterparts. These are important for cellular respiration and may have neuroprotective, cardio-protective, and anti-cancer effects.

It’s High in CLA

Grass-fed beef has more healthy fat-conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a powerful antioxidant with anticarcinogenic properties, than beef from grain-fed cows. CLA has been shown to reduce cancer risk by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.

Moreover, it contains other essential nutrients like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. One grass-fed strip steak contains 732 milligrams of potassium, 49 milligrams of magnesium, and 118 milligrams of sodium.

Since grass-fed meat has a different nutritional profile than meat from feedlot cattle, it also has a better omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio. Beef from cattle fed a diet of 100% grass has omega 6:3 fatty acid ratios closer to the ideal 4:1, compared with feedlot beef with omega 6:3 fatty acid ratios of 20:1.

In addition to being healthier for humans, these grass-fed cuts are also better for animals. They require fewer, if any, drug treatments and are less likely to be infected with antibiotic-resistant superbugs. While there is plenty of evidence against the health benefits of eating red meat, those who enjoy the occasional steak should consider switching to grass-fed beef. The key is to eat it in moderation and pair it with lots of veggies, like a vinegar-based salad or broccoli sauteed in EVOO, and a healthy starch, such as black beans or a baked sweet potato.

It’s Delicious

Grass-fed meat is not only more nutritious, but it also tastes better than grain-fed steaks. It has more flavor and tends to leaner, as the cows eat less fat. The grass-fed steak contains about a third less saturated fat than its grain-fed counterpart. It also contains more Vitamins A and E, and it has a healthier Omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio (which has been linked to heart health). Another reason to choose grass-fed meat is its environmental impact. Large-scale grain-fed cattle raises are responsible for deforestation, habitat destruction, and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the antibiotics used to treat the digestive illnesses that commonly affect grain-fed cattle can lead to the development of drug-resistant bacteria – which is bad for both people and animals. Choosing grass-fed meat also supports local farmers and helps reduce the environmental damage caused by globalization and the growth of food industries. When shopping for grass-fed steak, look for a label stating whether the meat is organic, indicating that the cows have been raised under ethical conditions. You should also ask if the farm uses hormones or antibiotics, which can affect taste and nutrition.