Free range meat refers to a type of animal husbandry where the meat comes from animals who are free to roam outdoors rather than being confined in cages or enclosures. Free range animals enjoy finer feeds and have more exposure to other animals, which means that they are healthier. Free range meats are available in supermarkets or at your local butcher shop, and you can even order them online from websites such as Morton’s Traditional Taste.
Most indoor-farmed animals are vulnerable to diseases because they are not able to exercise natural behaviors. In addition to that, unnatural diets and overcrowding in the farm can also affect the animal’s physical and mental well-being. Free range animals, however, are able to benefit greatly from the ecosystem provided by the farm.
If you are still wondering how free range meat is different, here are 10 reasons why they are healthier to eat:
1. Fewer Calories
Meat from free range animals have fewer calories and fat because they have a more natural and cleaner diet. Although free range meat is more expensive, the amount of calories you can get from it is very minimal as compared to the meat you can get from grain-fed animals.
2. Contains More Healthy Fats
Free range meat, especially beef and pork, are leaner and they contain up to six times more healthy fats than grain-fed meat, which means they will taste better if you glaze them. Free range animals have natural diets that are based more on grass, so their meat will have more improved fatty acid composition and more antioxidants.
3. More Organic
Free range animals enjoy a more natural diet, which means they are free from antibiotics and livestock feed. Because of this, their meat will be more nutritious than other animals that rely mostly on feeds.
4. Free from Deadly Diseases
Confined animals are more susceptible to bacteria and viruses, which leads to various kinds of diseases that can be passed on to people. It is found that 18% of the samples of non-free range meat contains a kind of bacteria that is resistant to at least three types of antibiotics. This bacteria is very dangerous as it can cause food poisoning when the meat is eaten.
Cages and enclosures are not always cleaned, which may make animals vulnerable to bacteria and diseases. Free range animals, however, are more likely to be free from bacteria and viruses since they are not kept in cages. This allows them to be healthier and capable of producing more nutritious meat.
5. Helps Support Normal Blood Sugar Levels
If you’re insulin-resistant, consuming free range meat will help you maintain normal blood sugar levels. This can be perfect for those who are on a ketogenic diet, and are looking for a good source of protein that’s low on carbohydrates. Because of the low fat and carbohydrate content of free range meat, it can help prevent the rise of blood glucose and reduce the risk of acquiring diabetes.
6. Free Range Meat Contains Electrolytes
Free range meat can also prevent you from suffering from electrolyte imbalance, which pertains to the lack of essential electrolytes in your body. Symptoms of electrolyte imbalance include muscle spasms, twitching, weakness, numbness, excessive tiredness, and nervous system disorders. You can ensure that your body is getting the right amount of electrolytes by eating free range meat as it contains a good amount of all the three essential electrolytes: potassium, magnesium, and sodium.
7. Helps Decrease the Risk of Heart Diseases
What makes free range meat really healthy to eat is that it can also help decrease the risk of heart diseases as it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants such as vitamin E. Since these types of meat have less unhealthy fats and a lower amount of bad cholesterol—which are often the cause of cardiovascular diseases—you’ll be rest assured that your heart is safe if you eat free range meat.
8. One of the Best Sources of Protein
If you are looking for food that is rich in protein, look no further than free range meat. Just three ounces of free range meat a day will give you about 18 grams worth of protein, which is essential for the growth and development of your body.
9. Free Range Meat Tastes Better
Because the meat is leaner, free range meat tastes better because the animal it’s from has a more natural diet, thus resulting in lower fat content. Try it out and you’ll see the difference in taste between free range meat and non-free range meat.
10. Promotes Biodiversity
Free range farms help promote biodiversity because they are more sustainable compared to industrial farms. Aside from that, industrial farms only raise a few species of livestock, namely cattle, pigs, chicken, and turkey. Free range farms, on the other hand, can raise a wider variety of livestock that are healthier and more nutritious.
Conclusion
Is free range meat worth the money? Yes, it is! The health benefits of free range meat far exceeds its price. If you are looking for a healthy type of meat, make sure that it comes from a free range animal.
Leave a Reply