Omega 3's in Grass Fed & Finished Beef
Updated: 1 hour ago
Omega 3's in grass fed & finished beef start with the grass. Cattle that graze on fresh pasture eat very differently from cattle on a grain-heavy diet, and that difference shows up in the beef.
Grass fed beef used to just be called beef
Not long ago, all beef was grass fed. Cattle lived on open range, grazing across large areas of land, the way cattle have lived for a very long time. That is a good example of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," because studies have found that grass-fed beef has nutritional differences from beef raised on a grain-heavy diet. It is also a more humane way to raise cattle.
What are omega 3's in grass fed & finished beef?
Omega-3s are fatty acids, and the three you will hear about most are ALA, EPA, and DHA.
ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is found mainly in plants, including fresh grass. It can be converted into EPA and DHA, and cattle are good at this conversion.
EPA and DHA are fatty acids found in animal sources, including beef.
Omega-3s are essential fatty acids, which means your body cannot make them on its own and gets them from food.
Omega 3's in grass fed beef are only part of the picture. Curious how the rest of the nutrition adds up? Read vitamins in grass fed & finished beef.
Grass fed vs. grain fed: what is different about omega-3s?
Fresh, living grass is a source of ALA. Cattle that graze on pasture take in those nutrients, which have not been processed out of the feed, and they are carried into the animal itself. Cattle that eat a diet built mostly on grain take in less of them. That is why studies have found that grass-fed beef tends to have more omega-3 fatty acids than grain-fed beef.
Grass also affects the fat itself. Its beta-carotene gives the fat of grass-fed beef a more ivory color, which you can read about in the truth about steak fat. And our quality checklist looks at quality of life, too, including an ossification score, which you can read about in we found the best beef ever.
How is Pre different?
Pre cattle are 100% Grass-Fed & Finished, so grass is what they eat for their entire lives. Our beef is raised with no added hormones and no sub-therapeutic antibiotics, and it is Non-GMO Project Verified. We consistently follow best practices, and we believe our dedication to quality and sustainable farming makes the difference, both in how Pre tastes and in the quality you can expect. Exact nutrition information is on each Pre product page. To learn what each claim on our pack means, read what every claim on Pre® grass-fed beef actually means.
FAQ
Does grass-fed beef have more omega-3s than grain-fed beef?
Studies have found that grass-fed beef tends to have more omega-3 fatty acids than grain-fed beef, because fresh grass is a source of ALA, the omega-3 found in plants.
What are ALA, EPA, and DHA?
They are three omega-3 fatty acids. ALA is found mainly in plants, while EPA and DHA are found in animal sources, and cattle can convert some ALA into them.
Where can I find nutrition information for Pre beef?
On each Pre product page. Because our steaks are cut to a consistent weight, we can calculate the nutrition for each cut accurately.
Where can I buy Pre 100% Grass-Fed & Finished Beef?
Pre Brands beef is a lean, High Protein, delicious way to keep dinner healthy. Use our store locator to find a store near you, browse all Pre products, or find us on Instacart.
