Meat source questions from a newbie

[anonymous4_20]

Hi everyone! I'm really intrigued by NT. I haven't read the book yet, but I plan to very soon. I've been doing some online research on grass-fed beef and free-range poultry. I hope you can answer some questions for me.

The grass-fed beef and pastured poultry seems very expensive. I understand why, but I seem to have a pretty good alternative. Our locally owned grocery chain (it's amazing that we still have one here!) seems to have good sources for it's chicken and beef. The beef is completely traceable, even though it is grain fed. The website of the company says "they will raise the animals in the most humane manner possible; provide a diet of fresh water, pure grains and adequate natural forage with absolutely no animal byproducts, growth hormones or antibiotics." Is this a good, cheaper alternative? What would be the benefits of getting pre-frozen grass-fed beef over this fresh beef?

The chicken they sell comes from a local farmer in Amish country. I'm not sure if it's free range or pastured, but they say they use "no antibiotics, no growth stimulants, no hormones, no animal by-products, no fishmeal or bakery by-products, and no artifical ingredients." This sounds pretty good to me, and I've always been happy with their chicken. I hate to have to buy the organic for 3 or 4 dollars a pound more when this seems to be good.

Can anybody explain to me if the pastured/organic chicken and beef would be that much better than what I'm getting from these sources to be worth the extra money?

Thanks for your help!

[ChillyWilly]

My understanding from what I have read on this is that these animals are not meant to be eating primarily grains/commercial, feed first of all. Animals that are pasture fed have the correct ratios of Omega 6 and Omega 3 fats. When they are primarily grain fed, these ratios are very out of proportion and contibute to various health issues, one major one being heart disease.Incorrect omega ratios also affect hormone function (biggie for me as I have endometriosis). Have you ever seen or tasted the difference in eggs from commercial chickens vs pastured ones ? I mention this in particular because you can actually see the results instantly when you crack the eggs open. (In addition, I personally believe the difference in the taste of pastured meat and eggs is remarkable.)
Basically, whenever people are greedy and lazy about producing foods (farmers want to produce meats faster, easier and less costly) it is evident that the nutritional content suffers , therefore our bodies reap the consequences. I am by no means an expert on this subject but I'd recommend reading "The Omnivore's Dilemma" and "Real Food" for the facts and references about this exact subject.

[Plummeting]

Originally Posted by anonymous4_20

Can anybody explain to me if the pastured/organic chicken and beef would be that much better than what I'm getting from these sources to be worth the extra money?

I don't know about the chicken, because they might not be eating grain, but in general, the answer is YES. Organic is obviously good, but the main benefit has nothing to do with whether the food is organic or not. Cows eating grass have a completely improper balance of Omega 6 to Omega 3 oils. Grass fed beef is similar to fish in that regard. It's good for your brain, your eyes, your heart, your immune system, everything. Organic beef, while certainly a much better alternative than regular beef, doesn't have any of those benefits. I totally understand why some people buy it and I do think it's a good option to have. I just think that grass fed is so much better that it's absolutely worth the price, if you can afford it.