The Difference Between Free Range vs Factory Farmed
Is grass fed beef, free range chicken, and wild fish worth it?
On today’s episode of Live Lean TV, I’m comparing the difference between free range vs factory farmed chicken, beef, and fish.
I’ll also discuss if eating grass fed, free range, and wild meat is essential, how to do it on a budget, and why it can help you Live Lean faster.
But first, could you tell from my voice and energy that I’m feeling much better than I did in yesterday’s post on how to avoid getting sick?
So thanks for hanging in there with me.
Alright, lets jump into another episode of Food Wars.
This topic came from my good friend Laura.
Side note: Laura has called me her “twinsie”.
Since I’m a dude, I don’t know what that means, so if you do, comment below.
Alright, lets get back to today’s topic.
From a health perspective, is free range vs factory farmed the same?
When it comes to healthy types of animal protein, many people say this:
Wild fish, free range chicken, and grass fed beef is so expensive. Is it worth it?
You know I’m a big meat eater and I always recommend getting higher quality protein in your diet.
I also recommend adding a healthy protein source to every meal and snack.
So as a Live Leaner, does that mean you should only be eating:
Lets find out.
The difference between free range vs factory farmed chicken, beef, and fish
Let me start by putting this out there.
Yes, wild fish, free range chicken, and grass fed beef will be more expensive than factory farmed meat when you buy it from the grocery store.
But, if you have access to a local farmer who sells it direct, it can be just as cheap, or in some cases cheaper, then factory farmed meat at the grocery store.
I’ve visited local farms and scored some very affordable grass fed beef.
So if price is a concern, it’s best to find a local farmer that farms grass fed beef, free range chicken, or wild fish.
As surprising as it may sound, it may actually be cheaper.
Why wild fish, free range chicken, and grass fed beef is healthier
Now lets talk about why you should focus on consuming wild fish, free range chicken, and grass fed beef.
I mentioned this in a previous episode of Food Wars where I compared free range eggs vs conventional eggs.
The meat that you are eating, is only as healthy as the animal that it came from.
So here’s what this means.
If the animal that you’re eating has been fed a diet of unnatural foods, the animal’s meat is not going to be as healthy to you.
Factory farmed chicken, grain fed beef, and farmed fish are being feed unnatural food such as grains, soy, and corn.
Compare this to grass fed beef, free range chickens, and wild fish that are eating foods natural to their diet, with the freedom to roam around in their natural environment.
Therefore the meat from these healthy animals is going to be healthier for you.
The big nutritional difference in the meat is this
The main thing it comes down to is the omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acid breakdown.
Based on their unnatural diet, factory farmed chicken, grain fed beef, and farmed fish are higher in omega 6 fatty acids.
I’ve mentioned this many times before.
In today’s standard American diet, the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is way out of whack.
This can be a cause of excessive inflammation in the body.
An optimal omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acid ratio is closer to 2:1, or optimally a 1:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3.
When you primarily consume factory farmed meat, it is higher in omega 6 fatty acids, and lower in omega 3 fatty acids, when compared to grass fed beef, free range chicken, and wild fish.
This further increases the already out of balance omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acid ratio.
Bottom line on the difference between free range vs factory farmed chicken, beef, and fish
Get your omega 6 to omega 3 fatty acid ratio back in line, and reduce the risk of excessive inflammation in your body, by focusing on primarily eating grass fed beef, free-range chicken, and wild fish.
I’m not saying you have to eat it all the time, but try your best to primarily consume it in your diet.
If you’re looking for more affordable meat, support your local farmers as they should give you a good deal.
In many cases, their price may be just as good or cheaper than what you would spend at the grocery store for factory farmed meat.
One other thing.
When people think of foods high in omega 3s, they often think of wild salmon.
However, the amount of omega 3 fatty acids found in grass fed beef is just as high as the omega 3s found in salmon.
Keep this in mind next time you’re buying beef.
Here’s your one take away
Healthier animals produce healthier foods.
But if you don’t have access to local farmer or you can’t afford it at the grocery store, factory farmed meat is better than no meat.
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Lastly, leave a comment below on what you want to see on future episodes of Food Wars.
I’ll be back again tomorrow with my Payback Tabata workout that I promise will kick your butt.
So I hope you’re going to be ready and fueled with the proper foods, so we can get sweaty together.
If you’re looking for workouts that quickly burn fat, check out more of my 4 minute Tabata Workouts here.
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Brad Gouthro is the founder of Live Lean TV, a media company focused on helping men and women “Live Lean” 365 days a year. Brad’s programs and content have helped millions of people all over the world learn how to get in shape, and more importantly, sustain it for life.
Brad, where do you get wild fish in Halifax or Dartmouth? The people who sell on the side of the road? Do you have one place in particular you recommend?
Also, I would be interested to hear your take on red meat vs chicken and or fish? I’ve heard conflicting things and have back and forth a bunch of times…
The other topic which might be interesting is supplements… there are so many these days, which are good which are bad.
Great blog I look forward to your videos!
Hey James, thanks for the kind words! Sometimes the guys on the side of the road have wild fish, the haddock at superstore is wild, and i buy the frozen wild salmon fillets (one ingredient) from superstore.
Honestly, I add a variety of fish, chicken/turkey, and red meat into my diet. I don’t believe in the “old research” behind red meat causing heart disease. I usually have all three in the same quantities.
Also the supplements topic is very interesting. I’ll add it to the list.
Brad, love your blogs because you can tell you really put time and effort into them. You don’t always see that! I particularly like this subject because it’s somethign I’ve been thinking about lately…after watching Food, Inc. especially. Thanks for your wisdom. Video pinned!
Food Inc. was a great documentary. Thanks for the comment Ericka!