Grass Fed Beef vs Grain Fed Beef (2024)

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Jun 13, 2024

Dale Mayo, February 10, 2022

Is Grass Fed Beef Really Healthier Than Grain Fed Beef?

We’ve known for more than a decade that grass fed beef has less fat and more nutrients than less expensive grain-fed beef and that grass fed beef has lower total saturated and mono-unsaturated fat. In addition, grass fed beef has more heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids, a lower (and healthier) ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids, and higher levels of vitamin E, beta-carotene and B-vitamins.[1]While oily fish is the richest dietary source of omega-3 fatty acids, red meat produced from grass-fed animals is also recognized as a source of omega-3s[2]and appears to provide about 50% more omega-3s than conventional grain fed beef.[3]

What’s the Difference Between Grain Fed and Grass Fed?

Where beef is mass-produced, cattle are usually fed grain, whereas grass fed cows eat (mostly) grass. Grass fed beef contains less fat than grain fed beef (therefore fewer calories).[5] According to a 2019 healthline article, the fatty acids are also different:

Monounsaturated fat.Grass-fed beef contains much lessmonounsaturated fatthan grain-fed beef.[6]
Omega-6 polyunsaturated fats.Grass- and grain-fed beef contain very similar amounts of omega-6 fatty acids.
Omega-3s.This is where grass-fed makes a major difference, containing up to five times as muchomega-3.[7]
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).Grass-fed beef contains about twice as muchCLAas grain-fed beef. This fatty acid is associated with a few health benefits.[8]^,[9]

Grass fed beef that is also organic, provides nutritional benefits as well as omitting hormones and antibiotics. To be labeled organic meat by the US Department of Agriculture, regulations require that animals are raised in living conditions accommodating their natural behaviors (like the ability to graze on pasture), fed 100% organic feed and forage, and not administered antibiotics or hormones.[10] According to a

The Cleveland Clinic provides a list of benefits of eating organic foods[11](see below).

Benefits of Eating Organic Foods

Reduced exposure to pesticides and insecticides.This is a significant benefit of organic produce and grains.
Increased exposure to omega-3 fatty acids.Livestock fed through grazing usually have higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which provide healthy heart benefits.
Less exposure to cadmium.Studies have shown significantly lower levels of the toxic metal cadmium in organic grains.
Increased levels of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other beneficial micronutrients.Organically grown fruits, vegetables and grains have higher amounts of vitamin C, vitamin E and carotenoids; plus higher amounts of the minerals calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron.
Less bacteria.Less exposure to bacteria in meat.
Less exposure to antibiotics.Eating organic meats leads to less exposure to antibiotics and growth hormones that have been used to treat livestock. These medicines may lead to antibiotic resistance and other problems in humans.

Grass Fed Beef is a Natural Fit for Keto and Paleo Diets

Protein helps you feel full when you’re following a Keto, Paleo, or Whole30 lifestyle, so it’s important to choose the healthiest proteins available.

Grass fed beef provides lean protein, rich taste, and a path from farm to table that you can feel good about. Plus, both the Keto and Paleo diets recommend grass fed beef over grain or corn fed beef, so it’s important to find selections that work for you. Adding these cuts of grass fed beef to your menu and keeping an eye on our website for more recipe ideas, trends, and cooking tips can help you get started.[12]

For healthy proteins loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, Sizzlefish has added100% natural grass-fed, hormone-free steaks, and ground beefto its omega-3-rich fish options already carried by sizzlefish (salmon,cod, trout,seafood collections).

References

[1]https://www.ewg.org/meateatersguide/a-meat-eaters-guide-to-climate-change-health-what-you-eat-matters/why-go-organic-grass-fed-and-pasture-raised/

[2] McAfee, A., McSorley, E., Cuskelly, G., Fearon, A., Moss, B., Beattie, J., Wallace, J.M.W., Bonham, M.P., and Strain, J. (2011). Red meat from animals offered a grass diet increases plasma and platelet n-3 PUFA in healthy consumers.British Journal of Nutrition,105(1), 80-89. doi:10.1017/S0007114510003090

[3]https://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/advice/2021/06/10/dr-roach-grass-fed-beef-best-source-omega-fatty-acid/116925656/

[4]https://health.clevelandclinic.org/grass-fed-vs-organic-meat-whats-the-difference/

[5]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24018274/

[6]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24018274/

[7] McAfee, A., McSorley, E., Cuskelly, G., Fearon, A., Moss, B., Beattie, J., Wallace, J.M.W., Bonham, M.P., and Strain, J. (2011). Red meat from animals offered a grass diet increases plasma and platelet n-3 PUFA in healthy consumers.British Journal of Nutrition,105(1), 80-89. doi:10.1017/S0007114510003090

[8]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22062051/

[9]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17490954/

[10]https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/03/22/organic-101-what-usda-organic-label-means

[11]https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/17668-organic-foods

[12]https://grassrunfarms.com/blog/why-grass-fed-beef-is-ideal-for-your-keto-paleo-or-whole30-diet/

FAQs

Grass Fed Beef vs Grain Fed Beef? ›

Grass fed beef also contains more antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals like zinc and selenium, and it is lower in unhealthy fats like saturated fat and cholesterol. And finally, grass feeding results in a meat that is leaner and has a better texture than grain-feeding.

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Is grass-fed beef really better than grain-fed beef? ›

No studies have proven that grass-fed beef is better for your health. But pound for pound, it may have less total fat and fewer calories. Also, grass-fed beef has up to six times more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids than regular grain-fed beef. Many people also believe grass-fed beef to be a more humane option.

Does home grown beef taste different? ›

Grass-fed cows eat a combination of grass and other forage available. They don't produce the fat that grain-fed cows produce but their muscles are leaner. Many describe the taste as meatier and even more similar to game meat.

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Does grass-fed beef have less cholesterol than grain-fed beef? ›

Many websites claim that beef from grass-fed cattle is lower in cholesterol than beef from conventionally raised cattle. An excellent study from Texas Tech University demonstrated that there is no difference in cholesterol in ground beef from grass-fed and grain-fed cattle if the fat content is similar.

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Is grass-fed beef easier to digest? ›

According to this post, choosing grass-fed beef has reduced heartburn, bloating, and other digestive troubles among her clients.

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Is wagyu beef grass or grain-fed? ›

Traditionally, Japanese Wagyu cattle are fed a mixture of grass and grain to ensure their signature high marbling. In New Zealand, where the majority of cattle are grass-fed, First Light Farms have taken Wagyu to the next level by raising Wagyu cattle on a 100% grass-fed diet.

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What tastes better, grass or grain-fed? ›

Because of their higher levels of marbling, grain-fed steaks tend to be richer in both taste and texture. Marbling – generally considered the most prized feature of a high-quality steak, and the most important factor in USDA steak grading – is much less prominent in pasture-fed cattle.

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Is grass-fed beef anti-inflammatory? ›

Incorporating grass-fed beef into your diet can offer significant health benefits, particularly in terms of reducing inflammation. Its higher content of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and beneficial fats, as well as its lower overall fat content, make it a superior choice compared to grain-fed beef.

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Why is grass-fed beef more expensive than grain-fed beef? ›

Grass-fed beef, which is the product of cows who spend their whole lives grazing on grass, can cost more money per pound. The cost lies behind the fact that it takes longer for grass-fed cattle to reach their processing weight on an all-grass diet.

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What are the disadvantages of grass-fed beef? ›

The higher cost is one of the disadvantages of grass-fed beef. The reasons for the price difference comes down to two factors - resource costs and scale. Grass-fed cattle typically spend longer on the farm before being processed, and require more land than their grain-fed counterparts.

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Why do I feel good after eating grass-fed beef? ›

Grass-fed beef, especially that raised in New Zealand, is a high-quality protein and red meat that is: A rich source of all nine essential amino acids, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12 that your body needs for growth and maintenance. High in vitamins A and E, which have many antioxidant properties.

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Is grass-fed beef worth the extra money? ›

Grass-fed beef has healthy fats

We typically think of omega-3s coming from salmon, but it turns out grass-fed beef is a great source as well, providing 2-4x more omega-3 and a more favorable (anti-inflammatory) ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fats than grain-fed beef.

Is grass fed beef good or bad for you? ›

Highlights: Grass-Fed Beef Nutrition At A Glance

High in vitamins A and E, which have many antioxidant properties. Lower in total fat and with more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and up to five times more omega-3 fatty acids than grain-fed beef.

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Why is grass fed beef tougher? ›

100% grassfed beef can be tough if it is not aged, it is lean and strong muscles on these cows (see our Master Guide to Cooking Grassfed Beef to learn more). For our grassfed beef, we recommend aging your steaks for a tender, flavorful steak. However, we recognize that for some people, aging isn't your thing!

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How to remove gamey taste from grass-fed beef? ›

The distinct game flavor of either birds or animals will be milder after soaking the meat overnight in the refrigerator in either a salt or vinegar solution. 2. Vinegar solution - 1 cup per quart of cold water. Use enough solution to cover the game completely.