Does Meat Quality Matter?
Hey BA!
Let’s chat this week about meat quality. You’ve probably noticed the huge price difference between organic and conventionally raised meats. The big question here is does meat quality really matter that much from a nutritional standpoint? In short, yes. It matters quite a bit actually. Conventionally-raised meats contain antibiotics, hormones, and other toxins that can be harmful to the body over time. If you’ve seen any of the pro-vegan documentary series on Netflix, then you know the harmful effects well: increased risk for heart attack and stroke, systemic inflammation, sluggish liver, hormone dysregulation, and even impotence in some men. In one of the documentaries, eating a burger is compared to smoking a cigarette. These effects are a result of conventionally-raised meats, however, not meat on the whole. QUALITY MATTERS.
So, what are the benefits of high-quality, organic meats? They are a great source of vitamins and minerals, contain essential proteins for repairing the gut lining, provide sustained energy, and aid in muscle growth and recovery. The better quality the meat, the more nutrient-dense it is and the less toxins it contains. It makes sense when you think about it. If the animal you’re eating is unhealthy from an improper diet and lifestyle, it’ll be reflected in the quality of its meat. This in turn impacts your own health. But, when strolling down the meat aisle, how do you know what to choose? You’ve probably seen an abundance of different labels like all-natural, organic, pasture-raised, free-range, etc. and it can feel a bit confusing and overwhelming. What exactly do these labels mean and what’s our top option?
Top Choices:
Organic, pasture-raised for eggs and chicken
Organic, grass-fed for beef and other meats
These options are going to be the highest quality you can find. While more expensive, it’s for good reason. The good news is that because higher quality means greater nutrient density, a moderate amount goes a long way. Pro tip: Natural Grocers always runs an amazing discount on eggs with organic, pasture-raised eggs at only $4.99 compared to $7.99 or even $8.99 at other stores.
Now, in case you are curious like I was, here are a few label meanings:
Certified Organic = animals have been fed 100% organic feed; no hormones, antibiotics, animal drugs, or synthetic pesticides are ever allowed
Certified Humane = animals are raised in adequate space and can maintain natural behaviors; higher slaughtering standards; no growth hormones, animal by-products, or antibiotics allowed in beef or poultry
Natural = according to USDA, “natural” is guaranteed to be “minimally processed and contain no artificial ingredients such as preservatives, artificial colors, or colors”, but natural tells you nothing about how the animal was raised
United Egg Producers Certified Eggs = hens are caged (applies to eggs only)
Cage-free = animals live outside cages but are still confined to an enclosed building (applies to eggs and chicken)
Free-range or free-roaming = animals have access to outdoors but may never go out (applies to eggs and chicken)
Pasture-raised = animals are raised with freedom to roam and peck pasture (applies to eggs and chicken)
Free farmed = conditions of food, water, shelter, and grazing space are monitored, as well as manner in which animals are shipped and handled for slaughter
Grass-fed = animals eat pasture grass and dried cut grass, and never enter a corn feedlot (applies to beef and other meats in which grass is their natural diet)
Vegetarian-fed = animals are never fed animal by-products
Hormone-free = animals are never given supplemental hormones (applies to beef and other meats only, as eggs and chickens are never given hormones)
Knowing what labels to look for will keep the shopping process simple. Remember, quality matters. While you’ll be spending more up front, your body will thank you. It’s little decisions like these that make the greatest impact on your health and physical performance. Keep after it fam!
