Grass Fed vs. Corn Fed Michael Green DeVry University

Grass Fed vs. Corn Fed The health of America is steadily declining and poor diet is a contributing factor (Pollan, 2006). Meat has become a main staple in the American diet in the last century. In fact, the average American consumes about 180 pounds of meat consisting of beef, pork, chicken, and turkey each year (Pollan, 2006). What the average American may not know is that most of these meats were grain fed during production, which is detrimental to the diets of both the livestock and its consumers. Grain feeding of livestock on American farms should be eliminated because human consumption of these meat products contributes to the decline in the health of America; instead, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) should require farmers and producers to provide the healthiest diet for animals to eliminate the health risks of the consumers. Problems Studies indicate that grain fed meats lack key nutrients optimal to the health of America. For almost 50 years most American farmers have been using grain to feed his or her livestock (Pollan, 2006). Grain feeding became prevalent not long after World War II when there was an over-abundant supply of grain (McCluskey, Wahl, Li, & Wandschneider, 2005). Farmers rely heavily on grain feeding because it is a cheaper product, it shortens the growth process, and it expedites a profitable outcome. These farmers are not caring that their meat products are higher in saturated fat and lack key nutrients such as fatty acids. Likewise, the consumption of grain fed meats by Americans leads to diets higher in saturated fats and not enough fatty acids, which are causing health problems that can be fatal. Pollan (2006) says that the biggest