If you are a poultry eater, chances are you buy tons of supermarket sold chicken and other poultry goods annually. While the chicken sold in supermarkets may look healthy and full of protein, these poultry products are actually extremely unhealthy to consume.
Since the 1970’s, poultry producers have injected chicken (and other meats) with saltwater solutions. This term is called ‘plumping’. The producers actually enhance the chicken to make it look more full and plump. When poultry looks plumper, consumers find it more visually appealing and then are more likely to purchase it. However, the injections, which are completely saltwater based, can wreak havoc on one’s sodium intake.
One serving of plumped chicken can contain between 200 mg and 500 mg of sodium per serving. This is more than 25% of the USDA’s recommended daily sodium intake. One serving of organic chicken or non-plumped chicken contains 45 to 70 mg per serving. Being that the American Heart Association recently set forth new sodium dietary guidelines, which lowers the sodium intake from 2,300 mg daily to 1,500 mg daily, eating several servings of these superficially plumped chickens can cause a person to go extremely over their daily intake. Reducing salt intake can help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and can be very helpful when it comes to weight loss.
Instead of buying store-bought injected chicken, consider raising your own chickens for consumption and even for eggs. However, only do this if there is adequate outdoor space and if you have the proper time that is needed for upkeep and maintenance. Some of the best chicken breeds to raise for meat are the Cornish Cross, Jersey Giant, Heritage / Heirloom, and Broilers (Backyard Farmer). Not only will you be able to control what goes into the meat or what does not but you also will be able to determine the most humane way to slaughter and butcher the chickens when it is time to do so.
Sources Cited:
“Plumping That Poultry: Supermarket Giving These Chickens That Injection Treatment!” WORLDSTARHIPHOP. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2015.
“Meat Chicken Breeds.” The Backyard Chicken Farmer. N.p., 24 June 2012. Web. 22 Feb. 2015.