In today's fast-paced world, convenience often trumps scrutiny when it comes to our food choices. And, during a quick trip to the grocery store, it can be easy to overlook the presence of harmful chemicals in the products we grab off the shelves. That’s why it's so important to really understand what you’re eating.
While meat is a staple in many diets, the industrialized production processes involved often introduce various chemicals that might pose risks to human health. Understanding these potential hazards is pivotal for making informed decisions about what ends up on our plates.
Read on to learn about four harmful chemicals found in grocery store meat.
Chlorine
Chlorine baths are often used specifically in the production of chicken in order to clean and chill the meat. In this process, raw chicken is placed in a bath of chlorine for around an hour to clean off any fecal matter or other contaminants it may have gathered during its time in the confined space of a factory farm.
While this is meant to produce clean and uncontaminated meat, it can actually have the opposite effect. Because of the length of time the meat spends in the chlorine, it can absorb some of the liquid—along with the contaminants it is supposedly getting rid of.
Many conventional farming practices involve the routine use of antibiotics in livestock. More often than not, these antibiotics are used to promote growth and productivity—allowing farmers to have even larger numbers of animals in confinement without the same level of risk for illnesses.
While they do allow for increased production of meat, the overuse of antibiotics contributes to antibiotic resistance, rendering these medications less effective in treating human illnesses.
Sodium nitrites and nitrates, commonly used as preservatives in processed meats, serve to inhibit bacterial growth and maintain the meat's color. While they are effective in preserving freshness and preventing spoilage, concerns have emerged regarding their potential health risks.
When exposed to high heat during cooking or digestion, these compounds can form nitrosamines, which are known carcinogens. Research has linked high consumption of processed meats containing sodium nitrites and nitrates to an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly stomach and bowel cancer.
Growth Hormones
Growth hormones such as estradiol-17β, testosterone, melengestrol acetate (MGA), zeranol, progesterone, and Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormones (rBGH) are frequently administered to livestock to accelerate growth and increase meat and milk production.
While research is still being conducted, concerns linger regarding the potential impacts of these hormones on human health, particularly in terms of hormone disruption and developmental issues.
Grocery Store Meat vs Farm Fresh Meat
While meat is a valuable source of protein and nutrients, being mindful of the potential presence of these chemicals is crucial. Opting for ethically raised and sustainably sourced meats can significantly mitigate exposure to these harmful chemicals found in grocery store meat.
Regeneratively raised meat—including grass-fed, grain-finished, and pasture-raised meat—boasts a cleaner bill of health, free from residual antibiotics and growth hormones commonly found in conventionally raised animals.
Additionally, raising animals with diverse and natural diets gives meat more nutritional value, including higher omega-3 fat levels and more favorable omega-6 to omega-3 fat ratios. This means farm-fresh meat raised with healthy livestock practices is not only free of the harmful chemicals found in grocery store meat but is also full of nutrients that can benefit you and your family’s overall health.
Holy Cow Farm Fresh is your destination for premium, healthy, grass-fed, and pasture-raised meat. Our local and family-owned livestock farm is dedicated to providing our customers with the highest quality, locally sourced, and sustainably raised meat—all without worrying about fake ingredients, hormones, and chemicals. Visit our website, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or give us a call to get started on your order!
In the fast-paced world of fast food, processed meats have become a staple for many households. Whether it's for a quick sandwich, a protein-packed snack, or a savory addition to a meal, processed meats seem to offer an easy solution. However, the convenience often comes at a cost to our health.
Read on to discover which processed meats you should avoid and what healthier alternatives are available to you.
Processed Meats You Should Avoid
Processed meats are traditionally meats that have been treated to enhance or maintain the food’s flavor or shelf-life. Oftentimes, this is done through salting, fermenting, curing, or smoking.
While there are a variety of processed meats available today, many of them are not good for you or your family.
Red Meat
Processed red meats—such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs, and deli meat—can have severely negative impacts on your health.
Oftentimes, these meats are high in saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium—all of which can increase the risk of various health conditions including heart disease, dementia, type 2 diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancer.
In fact, these processed meats have been classified as carcinogens by the World Health Organization (WHO)—meaning there is strong evidence linking their consumption to an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Chicken and White Meat
While chicken is often seen as the healthier processed meat option, it isn’t without its issues.
Similar to processed red meats, processed chicken or white meat products often contain high amounts of sodium which can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and other health issues. These meats also often include potentially hazardous added preservatives, flavorings, and other chemicals to enhance taste, texture, and shelf life.
This is especially true in popular processed chicken products such as chicken nuggets. More often than not, chicken nuggets and other similar products are made with added preservatives and fillers such as pyrophosphate—a leavening agent used in the breading that has reportedly harmed immune systems.
Unfortunately, preservatives aren’t the only extras you will find in these products. While chicken nuggets are promoted as being made from chicken breast, studies have found that 40-50% of the nuggets are actually made from fat, blood vessels, nerves, and ground-up bone.
Meat Labeled Nitrite-Free
Food processing methods often include smoking, curing, or adding preservatives like nitrates and nitrites. These preservatives are commonly added to meats to inhibit bacterial growth and maintain the meat’s color. While these do effectively keep meat fresher for longer, they can also form known carcinogens nitrosamines when cooked or digested—which can increase the risk of stomach and bowel cancer.
With this in mind, you may be thinking that meats that are labeled “nitrite-free” or “no nitrites added” would be the healthier alternative, but that’s not always the case.
These meats may be promoted as having no nitrites, but more often than not they are still processed and include added nitrites. However, these nitrites come from more natural sources like celery juice, powder, or salt.
Since they come from a natural source rather than a synthetic one, companies can label these as “nitrite-free,” but in actuality, you can still be impacted by consuming the nitrites—regardless of where they’ve come from.
Healthier Meat Options
Rather than risking your health with processed meats, it’s recommended you opt for farm-fresh meat. Unprocessed beef, pork, lamb, and chicken can significantly enhance your health while still satisfying your taste buds.
Grass-fed and pasture-raised meat tends to be higher in certain nutrients compared to processed meats. This is because animals raised regeneratively often have access to natural grazing, consume diverse diets, and are raised in environments where they can express their natural behaviors. As a result, the meat from these animals may contain higher levels of essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Likewise, regenerative agriculture stays away from preservatives, antibiotics, and other additives or hormones that could turn your food into a carcinogen—offering you a more natural and chemical-free option.
You also don’t have to give up the foods you love when you work with healthier meats. If you’re a fan of chicken nuggets, you can dice up a free-range chicken breast and make some at home. More of a burger fan? Grab some grass-fed ground beef and put your own spin on a classic! By making these simple substitutions, you can enjoy delicious meals while prioritizing your health.
While processed meats may offer convenience, they also come with a host of health risks. When you know what processed meats you should avoid and opt for healthier alternatives, you can support the overall health and well-being of you and your family. Making small changes to your diet can have a big impact on your long-term health, so choose wisely and prioritize natural, minimally processed foods whenever possible.
Holy Cow Farm Fresh is your destination for premium, healthy, grass-fed, and pasture-raised meat. Our local and family-owned livestock farm is dedicated to providing our customers with the highest quality, locally sourced, and sustainably raised meat—all without worrying about fake ingredients, hormones, and chemicals. Visit our website, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or give us a call to get started on your order!
Amidst a global population of 7.5 billion, it's disheartening to realize that only three-quarters of us are fortunate enough to receive adequate nutrition, while a staggering one billion people still endure chronic hunger.
Despite promises of a food revolution, industrial-scale monoculture has fallen short, leaving many without the essential nutrients they need. These sobering numbers remind us of the pressing need to rethink our current food systems.
It's clear that industrial farming is no longer sustainable, and it's time to embrace a friendlier, more inclusive approach to food production and consumption: regenerative agriculture.
Read on to explore regenerative agriculture’s impact on food systems.
Biodiversity
Regenerative agriculture utilizes farming practices that help increase biodiversity both in the natural environment and in our food supplies.
Commercial agriculture and seed production are designed to perpetuate popular crops in a more efficient and productive way. However, this process has also lowered the biodiversity we see in our food. In fact, 93% of unique seed variations have been lost in less than 100 years. For example, where we once had nearly 500 varieties of lettuce, we now have under 40.
This decrease in biodiversity is something regenerative agriculture actively works against. With the encouragement of seed-saving and heirloom crops, regenerative agriculture propagates crops that can come from or create strands that are different from what industrial farming techniques allow.
Plus, unlike traditional industrial farming, which often relies on single crops grown over vast expanses of land, regenerative agriculture encourages the cultivation of diverse crops and the preservation of natural ecosystems.
Using techniques such as reforestation, regenerative agriculture strives to recreate natural ecosystems that encourage biodiversity and provide habitats for animals and other plants. These healthy and diverse ecosystems are often a prerequisite for effective and healthy food production.
Healthier Soil
At the heart of regenerative agriculture lies the importance of soil health. Healthy soil is not merely a medium for plant growth; it is a living ecosystem teeming with microbial activity, organic matter, and nutrients essential for sustaining life.
Regenerative practices such as cover cropping, crop rotation, and minimal tillage work in harmony to regenerate soil health, improve its structure, and enhance its capacity to retain water and nutrients. These healthier soils can also better withstand erosion and have a high filtration capacity, allowing them to remain unimpacted by heavy rain.
With these restorative effects, regenerative agriculture is being used to put millions of hectares of degraded soil back to work, creating more space for crop and livestock production. Plus, healthier soil boosts crop yields and impacts the nutrients we and livestock derive from them.
Accessibility
Industrialized farming has become a complicated matter. More often than not, industrial farming seeds require expensive pesticides which can be difficult for local farmers to get ahold of and maintain. However, regenerative farming doesn’t necessitate these harsh and expensive chemicals. In fact, it discourages them at every turn.
Unlike industrial farming, regenerative agriculture can occur wherever you put a seed in the ground and grow something. With this in mind, these practices make subsistence and localized, small business farming more accessible than its industrial counterpart.
This also plays a role in the accessibility of local food in community-based food systems.
By prioritizing small-scale farming operations and direct-to-consumer markets, regenerative agriculture enhances accessibility to fresh, nutritious food for local communities while reducing reliance on long-distance transportation and industrial supply chains. This decentralized approach fosters greater food sovereignty, empowers small-scale farmers, and strengthens local economies.
Food Nutrition
Regenerative agriculture recognizes that the nutritional quality of food is intimately linked to the health of the soil in which it is grown. As we mentioned, regenerative practices create a diverse ecosystem within the soil, giving it—and subsequently the crops—nutrients from a variety of organic matter.
By replenishing soil nutrients and fostering nutrient-dense crops, regenerative practices yield food that is not only flavorful but also brimming with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that industrially grown produce may be missing or low in.
Studies have shown that regeneratively grown fruits and vegetables often contain higher levels of beneficial nutrients, offering consumers a healthier and more nourishing diet.
For example, during a study that focused on eight crops, it was found that regeneratively-grown produce had 21% more nutrients than their industrially-grown counterparts. Likewise, another study done in California found that higher levels of vitamins A, C, and K and iron and calcium could be found in regeneratively grown spinach.
Healthier Meat
One of the ways most people see regenerative agriculture’s impact on food systems is through the meat these practices produce. Unlike conventional methods that prioritize quantity over quality, regenerative practices focus on the overall well-being of the animals, the land they graze upon, and ultimately, the consumers who indulge in the resulting meat.
As we’ve already discussed, regenerative agriculture can impact the nutritional value of produce and land. The same goes for the meat produced on a farm. Because of the nutrient-rich soil and produce available on regenerative farms, livestock have more access to a diverse and healthy diet.
Grazing on open pastures also allows them to consume a wider range of plants, resulting in meat that's more nutrient-dense. Studies have shown that grass-fed beef, for example, tends to contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and antioxidants compared to traditionally produced meat.
Additionally, regenerative farming practices typically don’t use synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and antibiotics—meaning the animals aren't subjected to the routine chemicals often found in industrial farming. This allows consumers to enjoy meat products with significantly lower levels of chemical residues, promoting better long-term health outcomes.
As we strive to build a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable food future, regenerative agriculture’s impact on food systems stands as a prime example, guiding us toward a healthier and more prosperous world for generations to come.
Serve your family healthy, high-quality meat that is raised locally & ethically.
Holy Cow Farm Fresh is your destination for premium, healthy, grass-fed, and pasture-raised meat. Our local and family-owned livestock farm is dedicated to providing our customers with the highest quality, locally sourced, and sustainably raised meat—all without worrying about fake ingredients, hormones, and chemicals. Visit our website, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or give us a call to get started on your order!
In a world where food choices play a significant role in our overall well-being, the source of our meat can be extremely impactful.
Traditional industrial farming—which produces most meat found in grocery stores—is often more focused on optimizing outputs and profits. Because of this, they typically raise their cattle in crowded feedlots and pump them full of antibiotics, hormones, and other additives to promote rapid growth.
Meanwhile, farm-to-table beef is usually raised in pastures and allowed to graze on diverse grasses while roaming the larger and more natural space. This creates a healthier lifestyle for the cattle—and healthier meat later on.
Read on to explore the health benefits of choosing farm-raised beef over traditional factory-farmed beef.
Nutrient-Rich Meat
Farm-to-table raised beef is known for being rich in essential nutrients that are crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Grass-fed and pasture-raised cattle have diets that consist of natural grasses and forage, resulting in beef with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins. These nutrients play a key role in heart health, immune function, and overall vitality.
Lower Fat Content
Compared to factory-farmed beef, farm-to-table meat tends to be lower in unhealthy fats. Pasture-raised cattle have a more natural diet, leading to meat with a healthier fat profile. The lower levels of saturated fats in grass-fed beef make it a favorable choice for those looking to manage cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
No Hormones or Antibiotics
One of the most significant concerns with factory farming is the use of hormones and antibiotics to raise livestock. Grass-fed or grain-finished beef, especially from those practicing regenerative agriculture, is often produced without the routine use of these substances. This is not only beneficial for consumers looking to avoid unnecessary chemicals in their diet but also contributes to the fight against antibiotic resistance from chemical-filled food consumption.
Higher Levels of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA):
Traditional farm-raised beef is known to contain higher levels of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), a fatty acid associated with various health benefits.
CLA has been linked to improved weight management, enhanced immune function, and reduced inflammation. It’s also been found to help regulate and promote healthy blood sugar levels—meaning it can help prevent diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Choosing farm-to-table beef can be a natural way to incorporate this beneficial fatty acid into your diet.
The health benefits of choosing farm-raised beef extend beyond the nutritional value of the meat itself. From being nutrient-rich and lower in unhealthy fats to free from hormones and antibiotics, farm-to-table beef offers a range of advantages for health-conscious consumers.
Moreover, supporting farms that prioritize sustainable practices contributes to the well-being of both individuals and the environment. As you make your next beef purchase, consider the positive impact you can have on your health and the planet by choosing farm-raised options from reputable sources.
Holy Cow Farm Fresh is your destination for premium, healthy, grass-fed, and pasture-raised meat. Our local and family-owned livestock farm is dedicated to providing our customers with the highest quality, locally sourced, and sustainably raised meat—all without worrying about fake ingredients, hormones, and chemicals. Visit our website, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or give us a call to get started on your order!
