Courtesy of: https://www.cmegroup.com/trading/agricultural/introduction-to-cattle-feeding-spreads.html
Mass media has been changing our idea about where are beef comes from, and what kind we should be eating for years now. From documentaries that make us feel taunted by their living conditions to marketing tactics used by grocery stores, Americans seem to be more scared than ever to consume a juicy hamburger. I’m here to disclose some of the most common myths about beef, and explain why they simply aren’t true.
1. Grass- fed beef is better than grain- fed beef.
Cattle are fed grass and allowed to graze on pastures for the majority of their lives. Then, about 25% of cattle are "finished" on grass, and the rest are grown to maturity consuming grains. Grass- fed beef is generally less tender as well as less efficient for the farmer because the grain-fed cow is able to gain more weight in a shorter period of time.
2. Before cows are killed, they are scared and vulnerable.
There’s actually a federal law called the Humane Slaughter Act, was passed in 1958, mind you, that was created to decrease the amount of suffering livestock experiences during slaughter. The requirements entail that livestock are completely sedated and feel no pain upon slaughter. The animal never suffers but rather loses consciousness.
3. Black Angus beef is the best quality beef.
Black Angus simply refers to a breed of cattle that are used for beef consumption, and happens to be one of the most common. It doesn’t have anything to do with the quality of beef.
4. Cows treated without antibiotics or hormones are better for you.
Hormones are naturally present in cow’s bodies, just like in humans. There are only a few combinations of hormones that are approved by the USDA to promote growth and feed in cattle. Antibiotics are generally more beneficial than harmful to the animal. They are used to treat or prevent disease in cattle, so that they do not get the other animals sick. If farmers were not allowed to use any antibiotics, they could run the risk of getting the rest of their cattle sick, and ruining the entirety of their beef production.
5. Beef isn’t healthy.
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying "everything in moderation". The same is true for beef! While many people claim beef is unhealthy, it all depends on the mode of cooking as well as the amount consumed. Beef contains the most amount of protein, which is essential to your body. Just 3 ounces (that’s less than the size of a deck of cards) provides you with 25 grams of protein. It’s also a great source of B- vitamins, zinc, and iron, which are not found in many other foods. Although beef can be high in saturated fat, if it’s purchased with a lower percent of fat and cooked with limited added fat, it can be a great source of protein.
Now that I’ve talked a little bit about some of the common misconceptions in the beef industry, hopefully you can make more informed decisions when purchasing meat or going out to eat.
References:
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/meat-preparation/beef-from-farm-to-table/ct_index/!ut/p/a1/jZDBbsIwDIafZQ9gOaWAxhFVmmgHrRCCZbkgA06JRJMqtbaxp1- 3nTYNhn2y_P2y9aFBjcbTi6tJXPB0-pzNeKuWapxMMlVUk-RB5eVmWT1mmbpfjXrg- QpQpjfmL9RU_ZcvbjgwiItsUaNpSY7gvA2oaxYg371y7FDbEA7QkWU5g6W9QHdkln7RMAm0kVu KX0JQ75gt2BiaHowNSACh3YlR72Xr_IHf8AnNz5dU0ndepqvhrChTVQ1_A384- wYuS2mbtX6fT2fK5XcfPTfBRA!!/#top
https://extension.psu.edu/beef-production
https://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/nutrition
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humane_Slaughter_Act
No comments:
Post a Comment