Many Americans are concerned about the wholesomeness of the food sold in the country's grocery stores. 'Factory farming' is a term used to describe the huge mono-crop fields or orchards, the miles of feedlots, and the huge confinement buildings where much of our produce and meat is raised. Grass fed beef and pork is a way to get healthier meat, support humane treatment of animals, and protect the environment.
Most of the research that you can find online refers to beef, but similar benefits for pork make sense. Also, the conditions that many pigs are raised in are horrendous. The pig, a most intelligent but (unfortunately for them) fast-growing, fast weight-gaining animal, thrives in a free-range environment. On large pig farms, however, the animals may be confined to crowded, uncomfortable, boring conditions all of their lives. For humane reasons alone, it's important to support grass-fed pork producers.
One important difference between pastured and feedlot beef is in the essential fatty acid content of the meat. Grass-fed meat has a much higher level of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are considered important for brain development and for heart health. Feedlot animals contain much less Omega-3 and a much higher level of Omega-6 fatty acids. Most Americans are low in Omega-3; the country has a high rate of heart disease.
Contrary to what many consumers believe, grass-fed beef is not necessarily lower in total fat than conventional meat. However, there is a fatty acid that helps the body break down fat and burn it for energy called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). While pasture-raised meat is well-supplied with CLA, feedlot-raised animals have almost none in their meat.
A foundation in Washington, DC, that promotes a healthy diet of whole, unaltered foods - naturally raised without chemicals and processed as little as possible - has sponsored research into the benefits of pastured meats. Gas chromatography was used to determine the fat levels in meat, comparing conventional meat bought in a grocery store with pastured beef from a local farm. Feedlot beef is high in polyunsaturated fats, which come from the grain diet fed the cattle.
Many people prefer not to eat foods, or eat meat from animals which are fed foods, that have been genetically modified. There is research that shows that animals fed GMO grain develop tumors and may have shorter lives than those who are on unmodified grains. Grass-fed meats, of course, eliminate this concern, since animals certified to be pasture-raised are never fed any grain. Many consumers feel that pastured meats contain more vitamins and minerals than conventional profucts.
If you are concerned about the environment, you should know that keeping animals in pastures with adequate grass cover for erosion control doesn't cause the same problems as feedlots or large confinement buildings. Run-off from factory farms is a major source of water pollution. Feedlots and large confinement buildings produce a lot of greenhouse gases, as well.
This trend to more natural production methods and healthier meats is a good one to support with your grocery dollars. Animals raised for food can still have a happy, healthy life if we support more humane farming practices. Our meat tastes better and is healthier for us, too, so we all win.
Most of the research that you can find online refers to beef, but similar benefits for pork make sense. Also, the conditions that many pigs are raised in are horrendous. The pig, a most intelligent but (unfortunately for them) fast-growing, fast weight-gaining animal, thrives in a free-range environment. On large pig farms, however, the animals may be confined to crowded, uncomfortable, boring conditions all of their lives. For humane reasons alone, it's important to support grass-fed pork producers.
One important difference between pastured and feedlot beef is in the essential fatty acid content of the meat. Grass-fed meat has a much higher level of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are considered important for brain development and for heart health. Feedlot animals contain much less Omega-3 and a much higher level of Omega-6 fatty acids. Most Americans are low in Omega-3; the country has a high rate of heart disease.
Contrary to what many consumers believe, grass-fed beef is not necessarily lower in total fat than conventional meat. However, there is a fatty acid that helps the body break down fat and burn it for energy called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). While pasture-raised meat is well-supplied with CLA, feedlot-raised animals have almost none in their meat.
A foundation in Washington, DC, that promotes a healthy diet of whole, unaltered foods - naturally raised without chemicals and processed as little as possible - has sponsored research into the benefits of pastured meats. Gas chromatography was used to determine the fat levels in meat, comparing conventional meat bought in a grocery store with pastured beef from a local farm. Feedlot beef is high in polyunsaturated fats, which come from the grain diet fed the cattle.
Many people prefer not to eat foods, or eat meat from animals which are fed foods, that have been genetically modified. There is research that shows that animals fed GMO grain develop tumors and may have shorter lives than those who are on unmodified grains. Grass-fed meats, of course, eliminate this concern, since animals certified to be pasture-raised are never fed any grain. Many consumers feel that pastured meats contain more vitamins and minerals than conventional profucts.
If you are concerned about the environment, you should know that keeping animals in pastures with adequate grass cover for erosion control doesn't cause the same problems as feedlots or large confinement buildings. Run-off from factory farms is a major source of water pollution. Feedlots and large confinement buildings produce a lot of greenhouse gases, as well.
This trend to more natural production methods and healthier meats is a good one to support with your grocery dollars. Animals raised for food can still have a happy, healthy life if we support more humane farming practices. Our meat tastes better and is healthier for us, too, so we all win.
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When you are looking for information about grass fed beef and pork, visit our web pages online today. More details are available at http://www.crestwoodfarmsllc.com now.
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