You always hear about eating fatty fish like salmon to get good heart healthy omega 3 fatty acids, but did you know that you get omega 3 fatty acids from beef too? It is true! This tasty meat can be a great source of omega 3 fatty acids. There are things to look for, however, when you are purchasing your beef.
Grass fed beef has a two to four times higher omega 3 content than grain fed beef. It has less saturated fatty acids and also has a better omega 6 to 3 ratio. Another benefit of grass fed beef is that it contains almost three times the amount of vitamin E than grain fed beef. Most people have not heard of CLA which is another benefit of grass fed beef. CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) is a healthy fat that can lead to a lower risk of heart disease. It is not only found in the beef, but also in the milk. If you can find milk that is from a grass fed cow, it will contain more CLA.
It is also very important to look for beef that is at least 93% lean. A common misconception is that replacing ground beef with ground turkey can save fat and calories; however, some ground turkey can contain as much or more fat as some ground beef. Definitely make sure to read your labels and choose lean cuts of meat. When choosing meat keep in mind that the white parts are what will turn to fat when cooked so a highly marbled meat is going to be much higher in fat than a less marbled piece. Long story short, go and enjoy your beef!
More information can be found on the Eat Wild website.
Julie DuBois, RD 
