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Opening:
Have you ever been told that red meat is bad for you? If you have, know that the people who said this aren’t completely wrong.
While high-quality red meat is one of the best things you can eat, conventional red meat isn’t really all that good for your health.
When it comes to diet, QUALITY MATTERS, and this is no different when we look at red meat. Most anti-meat studies involve low-quality, processed meats, and not quality regenerative meat. This is why many people think even a small amount of any meat is unhealthy.
So while it’s always advised to avoid conventional red meat, know that we’ve been THRIVING on red meat for thousands of years.
What Is Conventional Meat And Why Is It Bad?
Conventional meat is a serious problem. First off, these animals are subject to the use of antibiotics and hormones, which when we eat them, can potentially cause endocrine disruption which leads to hormonal imbalance in ourselves. Additionally, these animals tend to live in poor/extremely crowded environments, and are given a diet high in grains in order to fatten them up.
Overall, you’re eating low-quality meat because you’re eating a very unhealthy animal. From the weight, to the diet, to the living conditions, it’s all a mess…
What Is Regenerative Meat And Why Is It Good?
Regenerative meat on the other hand, takes a different, more traditional approach.
Part of the reason why conventional farming methods are so popular is because they make the most money. Farmers LOVE to focus on quantity over quality.
Regenerative meat refers to meat produced through regenerative agricultural practices that aim to restore and enhance ecosystems rather than deplete them. Unlike conventional meat production, which often leads to soil degradation and environmental harm, regenerative meat farming focuses on improving soil health, biodiversity, and water cycles.
Key practices include rotational grazing, where livestock are moved between pastures to prevent overgrazing and promote natural soil regeneration. This approach helps to isolate carbon within the soil, reduce erosion, and increase soil fertility. Regenerative farming also integrates diverse plant species and encourages natural predator-prey relationships, which supports ecological balance and reduces reliance on synthetic inputs.
Basically this method aims to create a more sustainable system that benefits both the environment and animal welfare.
Something like regenerative agriculture was the norm back in the day, but many have forgotten all about it due to how popular conventional farming methods are these days.
Comparing Low-Quality And High-Quality Meat
When we compare these two different kinds of meat, it’s not even close.
Regenerative meat has far more nutrients, no pesticides, no hormones/antibiotics, and leads to much healthier and happier animals!
Grass-Fed VS Grain-Fed
Grass Finished vs Conventional Grain Finished Stats
| Nutrients | Grass Finished | Grain Finished | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 432 | 568 | 🟢 Trim Waistline |
| Protein | 43g | 42g | 🟢 Build Muscle |
| Total Fat | 28g | 46g | 🟢 Lower Body Fat |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 18g | 🟢 Less Bad Fats |
| Omega 3s | 200mg | 10mg | 🟢 Lower Inflammation |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 9.4mg | 7.9mg | 🟢 Healthier Skin |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.8mcg | 1.9mcg | 🟢 Better Mood |
| Folate | 7.2mcg | 3.2mcg | 🟢 Improve Red Blood Cells |
| Iron | 4.8mg | 2.9mg | 🟢 More Energy |
| Magnesium | 49mg | 24mg | 🟢 Reduce BP |
| Vitamin K | 24mcg | 9.6mcg | 🟢 Stronger Bones |
| Vitamin E | 1.8mg | 0.4mg | 🟢 Improves Immune Health |
Average based on sample comparisons of grass-finished and grain-finished beef by various industry publications, including BEEF Magazine, USDA, and scientific journals like Nutrients Journal. Nutrient values and percentages may vary.
Research performed by Dr. Stephan Van Vliet, Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences, Utah State University, and the Bionutrient Food Association, found that grass-finishing, compared to conventional grain finishing, increases a wide variety of health-promoting compounds in meat and improves animal health.
(Beef Nutrient Density Project Report, Dec 2021)
Closing:
To conclude, we must understand that there’s a distinct difference in conventional red meat and regenerative red meat.
While I’d never advise anyone to base their diet of conventional meat, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with real, high-quality meat. In fact, it’s probably one of the best, most nutrient-dense foods on the planet!