Grass-Fed vs Grain-Fed Beef

 

The Demand:  Where's the Beef?

The evolution of processed foods has had many stages over the last 100 years.  In order to meet a growing demand and faster supply, farm fresh foods needed a means to reach the corner store, supermarkets, restaurants and beyond.  Convenience became more important than health, and beef became grain-fed instead of grass-fed as a way to meet that demand.  Now, that our awareness has grown, we have the ability to ask, "Is this really what I want to put in my body?!"    

How Grain Fed Became the Norm

Until the mid twentieth century, beef was all grass-fed & pasture raised.  But with all food, meeting the needs of an emerging supermarket industry, supply needed to meet demand.  Time became a factor.  The faster the cattle grows, the faster they can be sold for food, and as farming equipment evolved getting grain to feed the cows was easier and it didn't take long for farmers to find out that grain-fed beef has more fat and gets the cow to the desired weight faster.  

The Downside of Grain-Fed Beef

Some adjustments had to be made to the cows, since they were eating mostly, if not all, grain.  Antibiotics were necessary to treat and prevent illness that can occur from being grain-fed and in a feedlot environment .

It's clear to see the more humane way to raise beef is grass-fed.  Eventually questions arose.  So, what about for us?  What actually happens to the meat?  Is it really full of harmful substances and antibiotics?  

The interesting thing about beef that has been given antibiotics is that it is not as much the antibiotics that are the concern, but the resistance that the animals build up to diseases.  The amount of antibiotics that ends up in our food after cooked, is not a huge amount, and the USDA highly regulates producers of grain-fed beef.  But some diseases/germs that are in the meat could possibly pass on to us, being that we are less resistant.  Though proper cooking and preparation decreases the risk significantly, many are now demanding healthier choices.  

Hormones that are added to the beef ends up being about twice the amount of what is already in the meat, according to an SDSU study, specifically estrogen. 

Prept Prefers Grass Fed

We at Prept Meals prefer grass fed beef all day long - meatier flavor, better texture, healthier option.  Zero added hormones, antibiotics, or risk of disease is the preferred way our chefs prepare and stand behind your meal.  And we promise to always provide the tastiest & healthiest meals possible.  

 

Sources/for additional reading:

NPR ,"Is Grass-Fed Beef Really Better For The Planet? Here's The Science", August 2019

National Geographic: "Antibiotic Resistance is Beefing Up"

San Diego State University, "Hormones in Beef: Myth Vs. Facts"

Small Farmers Journal, "A Brief History of the Cattle Industry"

Freakonomics, "A Myth of Grass Fed Beef"