Let’s Talk Fat!
We’ve all heard the nutritional concerns about consuming red meat. But is red meat itself the problem—or is it about where our meat is coming from? Let’s take a deeper dive into this important topic.
Why Do Health Professionals Recommend Limiting Red Meat?
Primarily, it’s because of the saturated fat content found in red and processed meats. Higher consumption of saturated fats is often associated with increased levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol and a higher risk of heart disease—currently the leading cause of death in the United States. It’s understandable that healthcare professionals are focused on promoting heart-healthy dietary choices.
However, it is important to know that red and processed meats aren’t the only sources of saturated fat in our diets. One of the most overlooked contributors is ultra-processed foods, including:
Pastries and baked goods
Snack foods like chips or crackers
Fried foods
Certain plant-based oils such as coconut oil and palm oil
But Is Cutting Out Red Meat the Solution?
The fat profile of regeneratively raised beef is significantly different from that of conventionally raised beef. Most beef sold in grocery stores comes from cattle that are grain-finished. These conventional practices lead to meat with higher levels of omega-6 fatty acids (saturated fat) which promote inflammation in the body when consumed in excess.
In contrast, regeneratively raised cattle—grass fed and finished—produce beef with much higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids (unsaturated fat), in fact, over four times more than conventionally raised beef!
Why Are Omega-3 Fatty Acids So Important?
Omega-3 fatty acids are unsaturated fats known for their anti-inflammatory properties, which support brain and heart health. Current dietary guidelines emphasize increasing the intake of omega-3s while reducing omega-6 consumption to promote better overall health outcomes.
That said, omega-6 fatty acids are also important for cell regulation and other bodily functions. The issue lies in balance. The most optimal dietary ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 is estimated to be around 1:1. However, the typical American diet is closer to 20:1.
What does this mean? Due to heavy reliance on ultra-processed foods and conventional agricultural practices, the average American consumes 20 times more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3s!
So What’s the Takeaway?
Yes, reducing saturated fat intake is important for overall health. But rather than overgeneralizing which types of food to eliminate, we should be looking more closely at how our food is produced.
If your food is ultra-processed or conventionally raised, it’s far more likely to be high in unhealthy fat profiles. Instead, start incorporating whole foods using regeneratively grown produce and meats to support a healthier balance of fats.
Do you notice a difference?
Ranch Manager Chase shares that he notices a difference when eating grass-finished beef compared to grain-finished. With grass-finished beef, he feels more energized, lighter, and satisfied without the sluggish, heavy feeling that often follows grain-finished meals.
Tag @YampaValleyRanch in your next meal using grass-fed and finished beef, and let us know if you can taste the difference too!
Stay tuned for our next blog, where we’ll share a healthy recipe using fattier cuts of meat with applying our new lens of choosing regenerative, grass-fed and finished beef to optimize the nutritional profile.
