With inflation at an all-time high, it’s essential to make smart choices when grocery shopping. In
our last Making Smart Choices posts, we talked about eggs and organic produce. This week,
we’ll be going over conventional beef and grass-fed beef.
- Conventional Beef Vs Grass-Fed Beef
- Benefits of Grass-Fed Beef
- Stores Near You
- Pro Tips
Conventional Beef Vs Grass-Fed Beef
To put it simply, the difference between conventional and grass-fed beef is the cattle’s diet.
Conventional (or grain-fed) cattle are fed grains, such as corn. Whereas grass-fed cattle mostly
eat grass and other plants. According to the Mayo Clinic, what cattle eat affects the fats and
nutrients in the beef we consume.
Benefits of Grass-Fed Beef
While both types of beef contain nutrients that our body needs, such as B12, B3, B6 and many others, grass-fed beef contains more of the following:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin E
- Antioxidants
- Heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids
- Omega-6 fatty acid
Along with containing more nutrients, grass-fed beef contains less saturated fat. Saturated fat has
been linked to unhealthy levels of cholesterol and should not be overly consumed.
Meat Markets and Stores Near You
Grass-fed beef is usually available at local whole foods or farmer’s markets. Grocery stores such
as Pavilions, or stores like Target will usually carry the selection as well.
Pro Tips
Stock up on meat when prices are low and freeze extras as soon as possible, which will save you
time and money.
It should be noted that there is not enough evidence that proves grass-fed beef is healthier than
grain-fed. However, whether you choose conventional or grass-fed beef, the Mayo Clinic
recommends opting for beef that has less than 10% fat.