What Is Organic Meat and Is It Worth Trying? A Dietitian Explains

What Is Organic Meat and Is It Worth Trying? A Dietitian Explains

The term organic seems to be everywhere these days. From organic produce to organic cotton sheets to even organic wine, seeing this label on everyday foods has become commonplace. 

 Meat is no exception to the organic-label movement. From meats that we procure from our favorite butcher to the proteins that we order from our favorite online meat retailer, we now have organic poultry and beef. 

 If you are curious about what organic meat actually means and if choosing organic is worth it, keep reading to learn all about this hot topic. 

 

 What Does Organic Meat Mean?

Being able to call a meat organic isn’t based on opinion or a feeling. This certification is actually provided by the United States Department of Agriculture, and it is based on specific criteria. 

 Organic refers to how the animals are raised and handled during and after slaughter. Factors like where the animals spend their days, which foods they eat, and the medicines they are provided to treat and care for them are all considered when deeming a piece of meat organic. 

 

For a meat to earn the Certified Organic label, some of the criteria it needs to meet include: 

  • The animal was born and raised on a Certified Organic pasture,
  • The animal did not receive antibiotics or growth-promoting hormones,
  • The animal is fed Certified Organic grains and grasses,
  • Outdoor access is available to the animal all year, unless there are health or wellness concerns.

 
Is Organic Meat Healthier? 

Because of the strict criteria that organic meats need to meet, the resulting product may have slightly more of certain nutrients than conventionally raised meats. For example, organic meat may contain slightly more omega-3 fatty acids than its conventionally raised counterpart.

But all meats, no matter how they are raised, will provide high-quality protein, vitamin B12, choline, and other important nutrients needed to thrive. 
        
Bottom line? All meat can be a part of a healthy diet. Organic options may have a slight advantage in the nutrition department. But at the end of the day, the difference is so slight that it may not impact a person’s overall health in a significant way.

 

Benefits of Choosing Organic Meat

If organic meat isn’t significantly better for our health than conventionally grown meat, you may wonder why people would bother choosing that option. 

 Meat choice factors extend beyond which nutrients our food provides. Some people may choose organic meat because they feel it supports an industry that is better for the environment. Others believe that the practices that are involved on organic farms result in better tasting and higher quality meat. 

And for those concerned about exposure to antibiotics in their food sources or who are avoiding GMOs, organic meats will be a better choice.

 

Organic Meat For An Organic Lifestyle

Certified Organic meat is a perfect option for carnivores who are focused on living an organic lifestyle, who want meat choices that support sustainability efforts, and who want to enjoy a high-quality product. 

If you want to make the switch to organic meat, know that you can get high-quality options delivered right to your doorstep simply by ordering your picks from the Rastelli’s website. Rastelli’s has a variety of organic beef, and chicken that make for delicious meals with very little effort.
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