The poultry section at your local grocery store is packed with options—free-range, cage-free and organic. While some of these terms may sound like a health fad, the truth is that organic chickens are healthier and tastier than their non-organic counterparts.
Organic chicken is raised without antibiotics, fed organic feed and given access to the outdoors. But is it worth the extra cost?
No Hormones
As consumers become increasingly interested in where their food comes from and how healthy it is, the animal agriculture industry has responded by offering more organic options. However, not all labels are created equal, so it's important to understand what each one means. "Organic" is perhaps the most confusing of all, especially since it often appears with other misleading labels like "free range," "natural" or "organic hormone free."
Organic chicken must meet specific USDA guidelines to be considered organic, including not being fed any antibiotics or growth hormones. It must also have access to the outdoors and be raised in a natural environment. The result is a leaner, healthier option that may taste better than conventional chicken. In addition, organic chicken breasts with skin contain less saturated fat than conventional cuts (1.74 g vs. 2.74 g). And organic liver contains a potent source of iron. (References 3)
No Antibiotics
You may see several labels at the grocery store for poultry including free-range, no antibiotics added, and organic. However, these labels do not tell you much about the type of chicken you’re purchasing. Whether it’s organic, cage-free, or raised without antibiotics, conventionally raised poultry can still contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter. This bacteria causes foodborne illnesses such as diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. Organic chicken is less likely to be contaminated with these harmful bacteria due to their environment and the fact that organic farming practices prioritize animal welfare.
In order to meet the USDA organic standards, the chickens must be fed a diet that is organically grown and free of antibiotics. These antibiotics are used to promote growth and prevent diseases in crowded and unsanitary conditions, but they also contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance in humans. This is why the organic label ensures that the chicken was not treated with any medically important antibiotics.
No Artificial Additives
Choosing organic chicken ensures that you’ll get more natural flavor from your poultry, without the added antibiotics and hormones. You also won’t be consuming any chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilizers that are used to grow the feed for your chickens.
When you go to your grocery store’s poultry section, you may see labels such as free-range, cage-free, air-chilled, natural and organic. However, it’s important to know the difference between these options as they are not all created equal.
If you choose a product with the USDA organic seal, the chicken must have been raised according to strict standards that include outdoor access (minimum of two square feet per bird), breed health requirements and no growth-promoting drugs. It is also required to be fed certified organic feed that has been grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers or GMOs. Organic chicken must be free of hormones and antibiotics as well. This translates to higher-quality meat with less fat, sodium and calories.
A Healthier and Purer Source of Protein
Chicken is a healthy source of protein and provides the body with important vitamins and minerals such as niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, and more. It also contains the essential amino acids that the body needs to build and maintain muscles.
When shopping for chicken in the grocery store, consumers have many options including organic, natural, free-range, cage-free, and antibiotic-free. While some of these labels have different meanings, they all share the same goal: to offer consumers healthier and more nutritious food.
Chicken is low in calories and fat, making it a great option for those trying to lose weight or manage their health. However, the type of cut and preparation method will affect the overall nutritional value of your meal. For example, keeping the skin and frying your chicken will add saturated fats. However, choosing a lean cut like chicken breast can reduce the overall calories and saturated fat of your meal. *Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are organic products good for skin?
Organic skincare products are made without synthetic chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, petrolatum, petroleum jelly, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulphate, talc, triclosan, titanium dioxide, triethanolamine, vitamin A palmitate, etc.
Organic skincare products are free from artificial colours, fragrances and preservatives.
They can also be used to maintain healthy skin, protect against premature aging, promote healing from injuries, and improve overall well-being.
Some standard terms you may see when shopping for organic products:
- Paraben Free – These chemicals are used to preserve certain cosmetic products, but can cause serious health problems if taken in large amounts.
- Fragrance-Free: The product is free of essential oils or fragrances.
- Cruelty-Free - No animals were harmed during the manufacturing process.
- Natural Ingredients are ingredients that have been naturally extracted from plants or animals.
- Vegetarian/Vegetarian - All ingredients are vegan or vegetarian.
- Gluten-Free means that the formulation was free of gluten.
- Non-Toxic: The product does not contain toxic substances, carcinogens or any other harmful compounds that could cause harm to your health.
- Biodegradable means that the product can be thrown away as it will become harmless components.
- Pesticide-Free: No pesticides used during growing or harvesting.
- GMO-Free - this means that none of the ingredients in the product contains genetically modified organisms.
- Certified Organic is a certification that the ingredients of the recipe were grown using sustainable methods.
What are the benefits of organic farming?
Organic farming allows farmers to produce food using only natural methods. Farmers do not need to worry about harmful pesticides harming their crops or animals.
Organic farming also permits for the use of natural fertilizers. These fertilizers are good for plants that are healthy and reduce chemical waste.
Organic farming is also sustainable. Farmers often use composting techniques to recycle nutrients back into the soil. This helps to reduce pollution and conserve valuable resources.
As well as helping the environment, organic farming increases crop yields. This is because organic farming requires less water to grow the crops.
Organic farming methods can also result in higher prices for farmers' produce. Consumers who become more aware of the dangers of pesticides and chemical fertilizers demand healthier foods.
This increases demand for organic food products. For these reasons, organic farming is becoming increasingly popular.
Does organic mean that it is not sprayed with pesticides?
Organic food is naturally chemical-free and grows without pesticides. This means that organic foods are not subject to chemical pesticides or fertilizers.
Because organic produce does not contain harmful additives it has more nutrients that conventionally produced foods.
The USDA National Organic Program (NOP), requires that farmers follow strict guidelines when growing organic crops.
These guidelines include soil preparation, crop rotation, pest control, water conservation, and harvesting practices.
Organic farming methods are also beneficial for wildlife and natural habitats.
Is organic food better for us?
According to the Environmental Working Group's latest report on pesticide residues in foods, organic fruits and vegetables had nearly half the level of pesticides compared with non-organic versions. The Environmental Working Group found that organic apples contained eight-times less pesticides than other non-organic fruits, and organic strawberries had fourfold more than their conventional counterparts.
Research has also suggested that organic food may reduce mercury and lead exposure. A study concluded that children who ate organic meat had 33% lower levels of blood lead than those who didn’t. Another study concluded that pregnant mothers should avoid eating conventional fish because of the high levels mercury.
Organic food seems to be safer than the non-organic. Experts recommend fresh vegetables and fruits whenever possible in order to reduce the risk of getting cancer.
What are organic fruits and vegetables?
Organic food does not contain pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. They are also richer in nutrients like vitamins C, E, K, and omega-3 fat acids. These ingredients are good for our bodies as well as the planet.
Organic foods are grown using sustainable farming practices that preserve soil quality and encourage biological diversity. They are free from harmful chemicals, radiation, and sewage sludge.
Many organic products are not associated with produce. They include dairy and meat, poultry, eggs baked goods, pet food, household cleaning supplies, and personal care products.
The USDA defines organic as crops grown in accordance with strict federal regulations. Farmers cannot use conventional (non-organic) methods to grow these foods. However, they may use approved natural pest control methods, such as crop rotation and cover cropping, and animal feed made from organic materials.
In addition, the farmer must follow guidelines regarding how much fertilizer and pesticide he uses during the growing season and rotate his fields between various crops. Farmers cannot use genetically modified organisms (GMOs), artificial growth hormones, synthetic insecticides, or synthetic fertilizers.
All the above requirements are met by vegetables and fruits that are labeled "100% Organic". Some farms don't label their products 100% organic, as it could confuse consumers. Instead, they will label the product as "made from organic ingredients". "
Statistics
- Once certified by the USDA, it can fall into one of four categories: "100 percent organic", "organic," "made with organic ingredients," or "made with less than 70 percent organic ingredients. (en.wikipedia.org)
- To provide the highest quality products and services to every customer, with a dedicated workforce that puts the customer first and takes the extra step to achieve 100% customer satisfaction and loyalty. (hollinsorganic.com)
- Cosmetic brands such as Laurel and Rose Mira are 100 percent organic and have a wide array of skincare products. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to a study performed by consumerreports.org, organic products, compared to non-organic products, ranged anywhere from 13 percent cheaper to 303 percent more expensive. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
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- EWG's 2022 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce
- Clean Fifteen(tm), Conventional Produce With the Least Pesticides
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How To
How to buy organic meat even on a tight budget
Here are some tips and tricks that will help you save money on organic meat.
I'll give you some tips about where to find organic meats at a low price and how much it costs per pound. You will learn how to make the best out of what you purchase.
You don't need to spend a lot of money to eat healthily. Sometimes creativity is required to make money while still eating healthy. Here are my suggestions for ways to cut food costs while still enjoying the benefits of organic meat.
- Wholesale clubs - Sams Club, Costco, and Sams Club offer great deals on bulk foods like chicken breasts. If you are fortunate enough to live near one, you may be able get discounts up to 50 lbs on large quantities. This way you won't end up with any leftover meat. And if you buy it in bulk, you can freeze it, so it lasts longer.
- Shopping online is easy - There are tons of websites that sell meat at reduced prices. Amazon offers Prime Pantry, a weekly deal with free shipping on orders above $35. There are discounts on roasts, ground beef and lamb steaks as well as pork loins. It's simple to visit their website to view the latest offerings at different times.
- Locate a farmer in your area. Local farmers are usually cheaper than big box retailers as they don’t pay high stocking fees. Local farmers also know exactly what their animals have eaten and drank so they can determine what's in their bodies.
- Look out for cuts that are the leanest. It's generally less expensive to cook lean meat than fatty. Therefore, choose the leanest cuts. The most common ones are sirloin steak, tenderloin roast, top round steak, and flank steak. These cuts are low in fat and high-protein.
- Try new recipes. It's possible to reduce grocery expenses by cooking new recipes using ingredients you've never tried before. You might be amazed at the delicious recipes you can create with fresh tomatoes and onions, garlic, olive oils, and spices.
- Make your leftovers creative - You can make sandwiches, soups, casseroles, and other dishes with leftover meat or poultry. It's easy to make quick lunches and dinners with leftover meat.
So there you go! This is my list of tips to help you afford organic meat, even if your budget is tight. Do you have any other tips? What other tips do you have for me?
Resources:
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