GRASS-FED IS HEALTHIER

It’s simple, as kids we grew up learning that cows eat grass on the farm. So when did it get so complicated? We never learned that cows actually eat a whole array of unfathomable things like candy and corn. Say what?!

The stark reality is that the majority of the beef we are eating today is closer to the latter. 

I hate to break it to you, but a lot of the beef that ends up on our plates actually comes from cows that have been fed everything from genetically modified grains to Skittles rejects that didn’t make it onto the supermarket shelves. As their diets are so lacking in nutrition, they are also fed a cocktail of antibiotics and growth hormone to ensure they reach full size. 

The effects on their health are telling and the jury is out, factory-farmed meat is simply neither healthy for the cows, nor us, nor for the planet. 

DON’T PANIC!

WE JUST NEED TO SOURCE OUR FOOD RESPONSIBLY, SO HERE’S THE LOWDOWN ON GRASS-FED

At 8Shades we are inclusive and respect every kind of diet, which is why we want to highlight how you can eat healthier meat. 

When you see the label “grass-fed” you automatically assume that the beef is happier and healthier because of the diet it’s been fed and because of the lifestyle it’s lived, but that’s not always the case. Grass-fed literally means “this cow has eaten some grass in its lifetime” as opposed to “this cow has ONLY eaten grass during its lifetime”. It’s subtle but the difference can mean a staggering change in the health of the animal and in turn, the health that you ingest. 

GRASS-FED IS NOT A PROTECTED LABEL LIKE “ORGANIC” OR “NON-GMO”

Which means a label that says grass-fed is open to creative interpretation. You need to look for labels stipulating “100% grass-fed” or “100% pastured”, or even better, get to know your local butcher and find out more about where he sources his meat from! 

BOTTOM LINE:
Grass fed is a phrase that is thrown around alot, so do your homework before you buy and make sure to always buy 100% grass fed or 100% pastured. If you can, talk to your butcher and buy natural beef.