Is grass-fed meat better for you?
Feeding a family of five can be expensive, especially when it comes to meat. Organic meat is not affordable for many people but I make it a priority to choose free-range, grass-fed beef, lamb, poultry and eggs wherever possible.
Why is grass-fed meat a better option?
Grass-fed animals tend to have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for heart health, brain function and reducing inflammation. Grass-fed meat also contains more antioxidants, vitamins (e.g. vitamins A and E) and minerals (e.g. iron, zinc and selenium) than grain-fed options.
Grass-fed meat is lower in unhealthy fats, particularly saturated fats, so it is beneficial for those who are looking to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Grass-fed farming practices often prioritise animal welfare and humane treatment. These animals typically have more space to roam freely, graze on natural vegetation, and exhibit more natural behaviours compared to animals raised in confined feedlots.
In conventional farming, the animals are fed grains such as wheat, barley and sorghum, with genetically-modified crops increasingly being used. Hormones are sometimes used to promote faster growth, and antibiotics are often given to prevent diseases that can spread easily in crowded conditions. In contrast, grass-fed animals are usually raised without the use of antibiotics and hormones.
Conventional farming uses crowded feedlots to feed grain to the cattle
Nutritionist Julie Matthews sums it up well by saying “if animals eat unhealthy food, live in unhealthy conditions, and are injected with unhealthy drugs, they will be unhealthy. We do not want to eat that kind of food”.
Grass-fed meat is slightly more expensive than conventional meat and poultry, for example, 500g Woolworths conventional lean beef mince is currently $9.50 whereas 500g Woolworths Macro grass-fed lean beef mince is $11.
If you are keen to try grass-fed meat but are concerned about budget, I recommend going to Aldi. They sell 4-star grass-fed beef mince for $8.99 (500g) which is cheaper than conventional beef mince in the other major supermarkets.
Note - the term ‘grass-fed’ is unregulated, which means it can be used to label meat from cattle that started their life on grass but were finished on a grain-based diet. To ensure you are buying genuine grass-fed meat, look for phrases such as “100% grass fed” (Aldi) or “graze on green pastures their entire life” (Macro brand).
References
Ansell E & McGinn E, 2009, ‘The economics behind GM stockfeed in Australia’, The Dairy Site, Australia, viewed 1 August 2023, https://www.thedairysite.com/articles/1853/the-economics-behind-gm-stockfeed-in-australia
Arnarson A, 2019, ‘Grass-Fed vs Grain-Fed Beef: What’s the Difference?’ Healthline, New York, viewed 2 August 2023, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/grass-fed-vs-grain-fed-beef
Matthews J, 2008, Nourishing Hope for Autism, Healthful Living Media, USA.
The Food Farm, 2020, ‘Is grass-fed and finished beef really better for you?’, Eyes Pastoral Company, Australia, viewed 2 August 2023, https://thefoodfarm.com.au/why-is-grass-fed-and-finished-beef-better-for-you/