The myriad health benefits of vegetables are indisputable: heart-healthy and cancer fighting, the valuable fibre, vitamins, and minerals in leafy greens and colourful vegetables are essential for good nutrition and healthy bodies. However, eating a vegetable-based diet does not preclude eating meat. Children, especially, need meat for its high-quality protein, hormone-building fats, and its array of nutrients that support bone and muscle development.
Humans have been eating meat for over two million years, and our bodies are not only well adapted to meat consumption, but, in many ways, are reliant on the vitamins and minerals found only in animal products. Although there are some who may thrive on a vegetarian diet, former vegetarians often note that they have better energy, stronger immune systems, and increased overall wellness when they return to consuming meat.
One of the main arguments against meat is its saturated fat and cholesterol content. Recent research has de-bunked many of the myths surrounding fat, cholesterol and their relationship to heart disease, stroke and diabetes. For meat eaters, the type of meat consumed is the key determinant in health outcomes. The dangers of meat consumption are limited to processed meats, which are full of sugar, salt, chemicals, additives, nitrates, hormones, pesticides, antibiotics and preservatives. Fresh, grass-fed or pastured meat from whole cuts like steaks and roasts, or ground meat provide the valuable nutrition growing bodies need, without the unhealthy additives that contribute to disease.
Contrary to our fat-phobic culture, fat and cholesterol are crucial for growth and development: for our hormone development and the production of brain and nervous system neurotransmitters, as well as for energy and blood sugar regulation. Despite being seen as something to be feared, cholesterol is actually a vital molecule in the body. It is found in every cell membrane and used to make hormones.
Growing children, especially, require fats in their diet for optimal growth, and low-fat diets have been shown to increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies for children. Fats are brain food: babies and toddlers need at least 40% of their calories from fat to fuel the rapid brain development of those early, crucial years of growth. Older children still require adequate fatty acids in their diet for proper growth, production of sex hormones, healthy skin, and for the absorption of the fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K. Due to its high nutrient density and fatty acid profile, red meat is also incredibly satiating, giving kids a sense of being full and making it less likely for them to overeat or to reach for starchy or sugary snacks instead of healthy meals.
Quality red meat, such as Sasha’s Fine Foods' grass-fed, Angus steaks, the famed Wagyu beef from Australia’s premier Blackmore herd, and lamb from the pristine pastures of New Zealand’s North Island provide a simple way to ensure that your children are getting the iron, vitamins D and B12, zinc, and fatty acids which meat provides, without the risks and dangers of meat from unhealthy animals who have been fed antibiotics, hormones, or pesticide-laden grains.
Due to the superior taste of high-quality meats, preparing a family-friendly meal with grass-fed beef or lamb is quick and easy – simply heat up the grill or sauté your steak on the stovetop and serve with a vegetable or salad. Thanks to Sasha's Fine Foods' careful sourcing and convenient delivery service, healthful and delicious meals are almost effortless.
We believe in the value of red meat for the family and the numerous health benefits it provides for children:
- Meat is a complete source of protein, containing all of the essential amino acids necessary for the mind and body to function
- Meat is the best source of iron and Vitamin B12
- Meat builds strong muscles and supports bone development
- Meat provides long-lasting energy and helps stabilize blood sugar, which prevents sugar and starch cravings
- Free-range, grass-fed beef is a good source of the anti-oxidants conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fat. Additionally, a 6-ounce grass-fed steer has almost 100 fewer calories than the equivalent portion from a grain-fed steer and a higher ratio of the desirable omega-3 fats.
When you need an easy and wholesome meal ready to go in minutes, Sasha's Fine Foods' ready-made meals utilise the highest quality, grass-fed beef sourced from Australia and New Zealand. Family favourites include their beef and pork meatballs drenched in tomato-basil sauce, beef lasagna or bolognaise sauce, a rich and delicious sauce for pasta.
Recipe: Family-Friendly Meatloaf
Ingredients for the meatloaf:
- 500 grams of grass-fed beef mince
- 2 Nature's Best Eggs
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 roasted red pepper, diced
- 1/3 cup tomato sauce
- ¾ cup almond flour (gluten-free or wheat flour may be substituted)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend or 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, oregano and basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for sautéing
- ¾ cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (as an optional topping)
- Preheat oven to 200° Celsius (or 400° Fahrenheit)
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the chopped onion, garlic and roasted red pepper to a medium-sized skillet and sauté over medium heat.
- Cook until onions have become soft and translucent.
- Mix all remaining ingredients to a large bowl and stir in the onion mixture.
- Using your hands, press ingredients into a loaf pan and bake for 35-40 minutes.
- Once your meatloaf is almost done cooking, add the sauce ingredients to a small saucepan and gently simmer sauce..
- After removing meatloaf from oven, let it cool slightly then pour sauce on top. Top with some fresh, chopped basil or parsley.