Beef is one food that was a staple in the diet of many baby boomers as they were growing up. It wasn't uncommon to be served beef several nights a week. After all ground round was affordable, versatile and inexpensive. Only in recent years has it become obvious that eating a diet high in red meat can lead to serious health problems including heart disease. This news caused many individuals to swear off red meat and opt for a diet rich in chicken and fish instead.

You can still eat your beef and keep your heart healthy. The key to eating beef that is good for you is to choose organic beef. Many grocery stores are now recognizing the increasing demand for organic meat and are selling it right alongside its traditional counterpart.

In order for a cut of beef to be deemed organic there are some requirements. Depending on where you reside these may include:

* The diet given to the cattle: The belief is that in order for beef to be organic they need to have been served a very particular diet. This includes grass that has not been treated with any type of harmful chemicals. Traditional farmers would allow their cattle to graze in a pasture where the grass has been treated with pesticides and herbicides. The cows would ingest this and it would work its way into their bloodstreams and eventually yours. Traditionally farmers would also offer their cattle feed that consisted of animal by-products. Even if the cattle were eating from a pasture that was pure, their feed may include chemicals because of what the animals contained in it ate. This isn't the case with organic cattle. They are fed feed that contains no animal by-products at all.

* The freedom given to the cattle: Naturally all cattle have to be tended to. They must have an area where they are kept so the farmer is aware of where his herd is. With organic cows they are not held in stables but are generally allowed access to both covered and uncovered areas. The reasoning behind this logic is that the cattle feel much less stress when allowed more freedom that results in a healthier animal.

* The cattle are not given medication: Most farmers work on the premise that giving their cattle shots that include antibiotics and hormones works against the threat of disease. Even if the cow has never suffered from any type of illness they are given antibiotics on a regular basis. These medications become part of the makeup of the cow and when you purchase, cook and eat the beef, you are also ingesting these medications. With organic cows this simply is not the case.

It's easy to see that there are substantial health benefits with choosing organic beef. Not only are you choosing a menu item that is high in iron and vitamins but you are not going to be subjecting yourself to any unnecessary chemicals or additives that you do not want.