3 Health Benefits of Buying Steak Locally

From Texas chili and grilled steaks to smoked beef ribs and brisket, Texans can eat a lot of beef. But have you ever thought about whether or not eating this much beef is bad for your heart and overall health? The answer is, it depends on the quality (and quantity) of the meat and the fattiness of the cut. Beef can provide you with good fats and nutrients but only if the meat comes from cows eating a rich, nutritious diet. 

There are numerous health advantages to eating locally sourced, responsibly-farmed beef. Not only is it more flavorful, but it is also healthier for you. Local, sustainably raised beef contains critical nutrients and vitamins, including beta carotene, Vitamin E, and essential omega-3 fatty acids. Additionally, because ranchers at Designer Beef harvest the beef directly on the ranch,  the local beef is far less prone to contamination and foodborne pathogens such as E. coli.

It’s loaded with Omega-3s (and CLA)

Local beef is rich in a form of beneficial fat that helps in reducing the progression of some types of cancer–conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and omega-3s. These two can be found in greater amounts in Designer Beef’s cows than commercially farmed ones. The main reason for this can be attributed to their feed. Designer Beef cows feed on nothing but nutritious grains, grasses, and supplements–never food filler. This creates a rich, nutritious meal that’s healthier for the entire family. 

It has lower levels of cholesterol 

Typically, red beef is associated with greater cholesterol levels. Local, grass-fed beef contains more important fatty acids, which can promote a higher level of good cholesterol (HDL) and a lower level of bad cholesterol (LDL). So how does this happen? When cows are fed ingredients that are super nutritious, the meat is healthier for you to eat. 

When sourcing your meat from organically-minded ranchers, such as Designer Beef, you’re more likely to get meat that’s heart-healthy, lower in fat, and higher in vitamins and minerals. This is due in part to the highly curated feed that the nutritionist puts together for the cow. The cow’s feed includes ingredients that will keep a cow healthy and will increase the amount of healthy omega-3s in its diet. Some of the feed ingredients include Bermuda hay, cottonseed, flaxseed, and other health supplements.

It’s packed with nutrients you need

When the cow’s feed is packed with nutrients, those nutrients get passed along to you. Beef is high in 10 essential nutrients that include protein, iron, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, phosphorus, selenium, riboflavin, niacin, riboflavin, and choline. Here’s how some of those nutrients are beneficial to you: 

• Protein- essential for muscle health. Proteins help rebuild the muscle tissue that gets worn down through daily life. 
• Iron- helps your body produce hemoglobin, a protein that helps your blood carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Not getting enough iron can leave you feeling tired, listless, weak, and mentally foggy. 
• Zinc- helps your body heal damaged tissue, and support a healthy immune system. 
• Vitamin B12- an essential nutrient that is important for blood formation and your brain and nervous system.
• Vitamin B6- important for blood formation and energy metabolism.

There are no antibiotics and added growth hormones

Hormones and antibiotics are given to cows in order to increase growth in the cow and treat sickness and disease, respectively. Because Designer Beef feeds their cows quality food, they don’t need to add antibiotics or hormones. The ingredients in the feed help the cow grow into a healthy animal.

Conclusion 

Sustainably raised local meats and produce are known to provide a far superior taste than their grocery store counterparts. Not only does beef from your local rancher taste better, but it’s also healthier for you to eat, too. If you want to start providing premium beef for you and your family, look no further than Designer Beef.