Search

Shop For Mom
Personal Care
SHOP ALL
Skin Care
Hygiene & Oral Care
Hair Care
Wellness
Food & Beverages
SHOP ALL
Snacks & Sweets
Pantry
Beverages
Meat
Babies & Kids
SHOP ALL
Kids Personal Care
Kids
Baby Care
Home
SHOP ALL
Kitchen Essentials
Pets
Candles & Decor
Apparel
Cleaning Supplies
Hobbies
Bundle & Save

how to use pbc

education

our story

Specialists

Natural landscape with mountains

Meat & Seafood Education Guide

A guide to choosing clean, ethically sourced animal proteins that support metabolic health, hormone balance, and whole-body nourishment

Why are meat and seafood so important in a natural diet?

Why are meat and seafood so important in a natural diet?

Because they provide complete proteins, essential fats, and bioavailable micronutrients that are difficult—or impossible—to get from plants alone. Ancestral diets prized organ meats, seafood, and fatty cuts because they were sacred sources of vitamins A, D, E, K2, B12, zinc, and omega-3s.

🌿 Pure Basics Tip: Quality animal foods aren’t just “protein”—they’re nature’s multivitamin.

What’s the difference between conventional and grass-fed or pasture-raised meat?

What’s the difference between conventional and grass-fed or pasture-raised meat?

Conventional meat often comes from animals raised in feedlots, fed grains, antibiotics, and sometimes hormones. This leads to:

  • Lower omega-3s, higher omega-6s
  • Inflammatory fat profile
  • Residues of antibiotics or pesticides
  • Grass-fed and pasture-raised meats are raised on their natural diets, outdoors, and often without synthetic additives. They have:

  • More omega-3s and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid)
  • Higher vitamins A, E, and K2
  • Less exposure to toxins
  • 🌿 Pure Basics Tip: Look for labels like 100% grass-fed, pasture-raised, regeneratively farmed, or Animal Welfare Approved.

    What about chicken and pork—are they healthy?

    What about chicken and pork—are they healthy?

    They can be, but they’re more prone to quality variation:

  • Conventional chicken/pork are often raised indoors on GMO feed and may have higher PUFAs (polyunsaturated fats), which can oxidize easily
  • Pasture-raised options have a better fat profile and fewer inflammatory markers
  • 🌿 Pure Basics Tip: When buying chicken or pork, prioritize sourcing over leanness. Fatty cuts from pastured animals are deeply nourishing.

    How do I choose clean seafood?

    How do I choose clean seafood?

    Seafood is an ancestral superfood, but modern pollution makes sourcing essential. Prioritize:

    Best seafood choices:

  • Wild-caught salmon (esp. sockeye)
  • Sardines and anchovies (small, low-mercury)
  • Mackerel (Atlantic, not king)
  • Shellfish like oysters, mussels, clams (mineral-rich)
  • Scallops and wild shrimp
  • Avoid or limit:

  • Farmed salmon (especially from Chile)
  • Tuna (due to mercury)
  • Tilapia and pangasius (often farm-raised in questionable conditions)
  • 🌿 Pure Basics Tip: Choose smaller fish lower on the food chain—they’re more sustainable and far lower in heavy metals.

    What nutrients make meat and seafood irreplaceable?

    What nutrients make meat and seafood irreplaceable?

  • B12 – Essential for energy, brain, and detox (only found in animal foods)
  • Heme iron – Easily absorbed, supports oxygen transport
  • Zinc and selenium – Key for immunity, thyroid, and hormones
  • Omega-3s (EPA/DHA) – Brain, heart, anti-inflammatory
  • Vitamin A (retinol) – Needed for vision, skin, immunity
  • Collagen, glycine, and taurine – For joints, gut lining, nervous system
  • 🌿 Pure Basics Tip: Muscle meat alone isn’t enough—pair it with organs or bone broth for full-spectrum benefits.

    What should I look for on labels?

    What should I look for on labels?

    Look for:

  • 100% Grass-fed and finished
  • Pasture-raised
  • Wild-caught (for fish)
  • No antibiotics or hormones
  • Regeneratively farmed or certified humane
  • 🌿 Pure Basics Tip: Avoid vague terms like “natural” or “farm-raised.” These aren’t regulated and can still allow industrial practices.

    Should I eat organ meats?

    Should I eat organ meats?

    Absolutely—organ meats were revered in every traditional culture for a reason. They are 10–100x more nutrient-dense than muscle meat.

    Top organs to include:

  • Liver: Richest source of vitamin A, B12, and iron
  • Heart: High in CoQ10 and zinc
  • Kidney: Detox-supportive, high in selenium
  • 🌿 Pure Basics Tip: If you’re not ready to cook them, start with desiccated organ capsules from grass-fed sources.

    Is frozen meat or seafood okay?

    Is frozen meat or seafood okay?

    Yes! Flash-frozen meat and seafood retain nutrients and minimize waste, especially when fresh options are limited.

    🌿 Pure Basics Tip: Choose frozen products with no added preservatives or flavoring, and avoid vacuum-sealed fish in clear plastic with freezer burn.

    What’s the best way to cook meat to preserve nutrients?

    What’s the best way to cook meat to preserve nutrients?

  • Use gentle heat like slow cooking, steaming, or pan-searing
  • Avoid charred or blackened meats, which can form inflammatory compounds (like HCAs or PAHs)
  • Marinate with lemon, vinegar, or herbs to reduce harmful byproducts
  • 🌿 Pure Basics Tip: Cooking with traditional fats like tallow, ghee, or duck fat protects the meat and supports digestion.

    How can I eat clean meat on a budget?

    How can I eat clean meat on a budget?

  • Buy in bulk from local farms or co-ops (CSA, cow share, etc.)
  • Use bone-in cuts, skin-on poultry, and tougher roasts
  • Incorporate bones, broth, and organs, which are nutrient-rich and affordable
  • Stock up on frozen wild-caught fish or canned sardines
  • 🌿 Pure Basics Tip: Build meals around nutrition density, not just volume. A little liver or broth goes a long way.

    Explore more Categories

    Join our free

    Newsletter

    Join Our newsletter for exclusive offers, News & Updates.

    Recommended a Product

    If you have a product you'd like us to feature or recommend, let us know! We value your input and ideas.

    Submit Recommendation

    Disclaimer

    Information on this site is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. We do not diagnose, treat, or cure any health conditions and are not healthcare providers.

    Always consult your physician or a qualified professional before making health-related decisions. Use of site content is at your own risk. Pure Basics Collective is not responsible for outcomes related to the use of this information.