In reading other groups, forums and research it seems that the ideal Keto way of eating in terms of quality is grass-fed butter, grass-fed meat, cage free eggs and no processed foods. I’m just curious to know if everyone eats nothing but grass-fed meats and unprocessed foods; etc?
Right now until my budget further allows what I am doing is the things that I use everyday such as kerrygold butter, coconut oil and such I try to buy as “natural”/organic as possible.
Thoughts?
I do what I can in terms of grass fed/cage free/etc, but I am a young public school teacher so my budget doesn’t allow for much.
I get Kerrygold, that’s a staple, and I mostly buy grass fed ground beef. But my other meats are whatever is on sale, and I buy traditional eggs since I eat so many.
“Natural” has no regulations and no real definition unless it says “certified naturally grown.” Also organic isn’t any more nutritious. Cage free doesn’t mean a chicken is pasture raised. They’re mostly all marketing schemes. I wouldn’t swear those labels.
Don’t sweat it. Get what you can that’s grass fed, but don’t feel like you have to or you aren’t true keto if you don’t.
I will say I avoid “keto junk” like keto cookies, halo top, etc, but that’s a personal preference. You need to do what feels good for you.
Very good question, @Judy_Martinez!
When in my local area and budget, I eat grass fed and pastured as much as possible. But, if not possible or not in my budget, I don’t sweat it. A conventionally grown rib eye is much better for me than what else I would otherwise have eaten before keto.
In other words, I don’t let the perfect be enemy of the good when it comes to things like this.
@Judy_Martinez Hey Judy. 
I’ve never worried about it - I do believe in eating unprocessed foods, but don’t get stressed about it. In general, if chickens really can run around and eat bugs and stuff, then I’ve found the eggyolks to be darker yellow and really good tasting. What “cage free” means, at the “lowest range” - if there is such a thing - sounds to me like as long as the chicken isn’t confined to a cage, then they qualify, even if it’s just a bunch of chickens in a crowded dirt pen with nothing different for them to eat from what they’d get if caged all the time.
Grass-fed beef - I don’t worry about this either, but do like the taste of it. I was in Argentina in 2008, and there it’s all grass-fed, and it’s all really GOOD. Price matters, and past a point I don’t think the higher prices are worth it. I’ve had beef that I thought really didn’t taste all that good, and then I’ve found beef at Walmart, pretty darn cheap, and it was outstanding. You never know…
Kerrygold or other grass-fed butter - I’ve got a treat coming as I’ve yet to have it.
We raise “grassfed” goats and sheep. We can tell a difference in the meat but also notice that there is less of it. (this mostly applies to goats) The meat is leaner and we find we add lard or bacon grease when cooking. The lard and bacon grease is from grainfed hogs… so is it really worth it to buy grassfed meat and then slather it in corn fed fat? Buying fat only from pastured animals costs a pretty penny as well.
As a lot of others have said, if I could afford to eat an entirely organic and grass fed diet I would. But I can’t, and so I am not wasting time worrying about it. My results have been good, and this is a diet that I can see myself sticking to for life. I’ve had a few slip ups and I drink far too much Coke Zero on occasions. It works despite this, and my health is significantly improved. So do works for your health and budget. Good luck!
I buy within my budget while keeping it as clean as possible, that has to be my main consideration. No point eating organic / grass fed / etc. if I can’t pay the mortgage…
I buy what I can afford. I sometimes find good deals on free range eggs at a local farmers market, but mostly just buy cage free. Which can mean they just are pinned up and they get whatever is available for them.
I buy my meats from Costco, so pretty sure they are not just grass fed. If dining out I will go for grass fed meats. I do buy bison instead of ground beef, for the better flavor, and they are free ranged.
I follow the dirty dozen guidelines and buy those in the organic section, other veg, I buy what looks the best. I do buy veggies from the local farmers market when I can, I know the vendors there are not “certified” but they grow the crops without adding poisons to them.
Buying in bulk can really help lower the price of grass-fed/pastured meats. I buy an 1/8 grass-fed cow from a local rancher and the price is less than $10/pound. This includes steaks, roasts, ground beef and miscellaneous other cuts. I store it in a second freezer that I got off craigslist for $50.
Look around your area for ranchers that sell in bulk or ask at a farmer’s market.
That said, I’m not super strict about eating only grass-fed or pastured. I also buy conventional meat at costco or the local grocery store. I am pretty strict about free-range eggs though. As @OldDoug mentioned, they are much more nutritious and taste way better.
https://www.ketogenicforums.com/t/no-grass-fed-is-not-a-keto-rule/
is a pretty good thread on this topic. 
Thanks Jillian! Just out of curiosity why avoid Keto cookies, Halo top (my fav for my sweet tooth LOL)?
I tend to over indulge, and prefer to try and have more homemade sweet treats.
I have just started buying grass fed but the thing is, it’s pretty lean meat and I understand that the benefit is in the fats profile.
So on thinking about it, I am going to try fish oil capsules during my 20/24 fasting window. Best metabolism of omega3 is achieved in the absence of omega6 because they both use the same enzyme pathway. That would improve the o3/o6 balance and allow using grain-fed meats.