Pasture Raised Meats & Your Health

Animals raised in industrial production systems are less healthy than those raised out on pasture in their natural environment. Why would we believe that meat from those unhealthy animals would then be a nutritious option for our families? There is documented research that states pasture-raised proteins are now being used in preventive healthcare and in treatment plans for illnesses. 

Contrary to the mainstream movement of condemning meat, it’s time we realize that good pasture-raised meats can be used as medicine. Movements like the Paleo Diet, Weston A. Price Foundation, and Sustainable Dish are diligently uncovering nutritional components in meat that are vital to a healthy diet that simply cannot be found in vegetarian sources.

Now this is key --> the source of your meat, what your meat eats, is the difference between nourishing your body or potentially causing harm to your body.

Cows are designed to eat grass. Pigs forage for a number of different plants, roots, fruits, insects and small animals. Chickens eat grass, seeds, bugs, worms, and insects.

Doesn't it make sense that an animal raised on the food it was designed to eat and thrive on would provide healthier meat and animal products than one that was raised in confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs)?

Omega-3s

Meat from grass-fed animals have two to four times more omega-3 fatty acids than meat from grain-fed animals. Now this isn't just the medium chain omega-3s you get from seed oils that your body then has to convert. These include the long chain omega-3s you normally only get from fish oil, essential for heart and brain health, as well as bringing down inflammation.

When cattle are taken off pasture, and put in a feedlot to be fattened up before slaughter, all those omega-3s start disappearing from the meat. The simple reason is that grass and leafy plants found in the pasture are rich in omega-3s. Grains and soy, which is what the cattle are fed in feedlots, is a very poor source.

Similarly, eggs from pastured hens can contain as much as 10 times more omega-3s than eggs from factory hens.

The health benefits of eating pasture-raised meats and eggs are many! Check out Eat Wild's Health Benefits page for much more info.