Grass-fed Beef THIS WEEK IN THE HSI HEALTHIER TALK COMMUNITY "I have to take this moment to sing the praises of Grass-Fed Beef." And with that an HSI member named Naturalway begins a description of how she came to be so enthusiastic about eating meat from animals that are not fattened with grain feed or otherwise "enhanced" with growth hormones and antibiotics. In the Food Questions forum of the HSI Healthier Talk community,
Naturalway says that she always found meat to have a "slightly
rotten/rancid taste or after-taste. So I've never really liked meat
unless it was a really good expensive steak, marinated, or if it was smothered in a delicious sauce." But grass-fed beef won her over: "I bought some thinking it would be gamey. It was delicious. The fat/oil in it has a completely different texture and taste, kind of nutty tasting and a very nice texture. And I've noticed a difference in how I feel, or at least I've been feeling better at the same time that I started eating it." It appears that Naturalway may be benefiting from the effects of omega-3 fatty acids; something grass-fed beef is rich in, unlike grain-fed beef. A member named Sally says she's had no luck finding grass-fed beef where she lives: "The best I could come up with is grain fed with no hormones or antibiotics used. After reading about the grain issues with beef, it is just as bad as hormones and antibiotics. I thought about raising my own. I have two acres of land. But I realized the cow would probably become a pet and I wouldn't be able to eat it! Guess I'll have to break down and buy some from the internet. Where do you get your grass fed
beef?" Naturalway says she gets her beef from a web site (americangrassfedbeef.com): "It's run by Dr. Patricia Whisnant, grass farmer and veterinarian in Missouri. She has 6 kids--sounds like a true farm family! They have movable fences and rotate the cattle to a new pasture daily. She says that grass is at it's peak at 10-14 inches, any higher, it loses nutritional value, any lower it's 'weak'. She gives other details which makes me think she's devoted to her job, is very knowledgeable, and tries to do things the best way." But before you go online to order beef, you might put this tip to use, offered by a member named Weebitty: "There is a website that lists different states and who raises grass fed cattle. The website is eatwild.com If you will put the state in that you live it will give you local growers of cattle." For more information on the health benefits of eating grass-fed beef, see the e-Alert "Afternoon Hay" (5/12/05). Other topics being discussed this week in the Healthier Talk community forums include: - Arthritis: Gout and cod liver oil
- Food Questions: Carrots are bad?
- Heart: More evidence - high glycemic/food load
- General Health Topics: Sanitizing drinking water
- Headaches: Migraines…you can stop them cold
- Energy: How many calories are you burning?
You can easily reach the HSI Healthier Talk community forums on our website at www.hsibaltimore.com. Just choose "Forum," and join in with any of the dozens of discussions about nutrition and natural health care. | 
