Eating meat products is a personal choice, unfortunately some decide to avoid or give up red meat because they believe it’s unhealthy. The truth is red meat is one of the most nutrient dense foods available. Just like vegetables, workouts, vitamins and pretty much everything else, quality matters!
It can be extremely confusing when shopping for meat and deciphering what to buy. What’s the difference in chopped meat? Why is it $2.99 per pound for one and $6.99 per pound for another? They look the same so most people go for the cheaper package thinking it’s more economical and why pay more money for the same product? Here’s the deal; the same cut of meat, like chopped meat, is NOT all created equal!
Today, most commercially available meats come from factory-farmed, mass-produced, feedlot animals because it’s cheap, fast and convenient for producers and consumers. You are what you eat so don’t be cheap, fast or fake!
With mass production come sick, confined, stressed-out animals, filled with hormones, antibiotics and injected with possible carcinogens (substances that cause cancer in living tissue). If that weren’t enough, consider a few of the stomach-turning ingredients found in a typical feedlot animal diet: restaurant waste, animal byproducts, municipal garbage, bubble gum and poultry manure. YUCK! No wonder the stuff is cheap!
NOTE: It’s important to know where your food comes from and what your food eats!
Now you know the deal with the meat you see at your general food stores. Costco offers organic ground beef, which is definitely a better choice. It means the animal ate organic grains, however, grass-fed is the best choice. Grass-fed animals eat what they were designed to eat- grasses and shrubs, instead of hard-to-digest grains that make feedlot animals sick, making constant antibiotic treatments necessary. When you choose grass-fed beef, lamb or bison, you’re eating meats that are more nutritious and antibiotic-free just as nature intended. Keep in mind if it doesn’t say grass-fed on the label, you should assume it’s grain-fed.
Where do you get grass-fed meat?
I purchase my grass-fed meat from a local farm and from Whole Foods. Whole foods usually deals with local farms which you can contact directly to inquire if it would be an option for you purchase directly from them to save some money. I also love US Wellness Meats, which is an on-line store for grass-fed meats, pastured poultry, bone-broth and wild fish, in addition to “must have pantry items,” organic and non-toxic snacks. You can’t beat delivery to your doorstep, and one-stop shopping when you are a busy bride!
I’m really excited for you to add this nutrient dense meat to your Bride Fit diet! Grass-fed products are rich in vitamin A (beta carotene), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA- burns fat!), and Omega-3 fatty acids (a must for a happy bride), which all keep cholesterol, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure in check.
There’s great information on how to cook grass-fed meats and amazing recipes on the US Wellness Meat site also. I love giving you information that you can implement today and will have a positive effect on your health and the health of your fiancé. For more support and guidance join my 12 Weeks to a Fit Bride today! Get wedding dress ready and learn all the secrets to a happy & healthy “ever after.”
