Conventionally raised livestock, including chickens, are not your best choice. As the above article illustrates, there is a seriously increased risk that they may harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

However, my concerns with these foods do not stop there. Not only are antibiotics typically added to conventional livestock feed, this feed is also laced with the pesticides used in growing the foods it's made of. Unlike conventional fruits and vegetables, where peeling and washing can greatly reduce the amounts of these toxins, the pesticides and drugs livestock animals get exposed to during their lives can become incorporated into their very tissues, especially their fat.

While you can cut off some of it, you may still be ingesting high amounts of toxins if you consume such foods regularly.

Another problem with conventional livestock feed is that it is typically made of foods that are not natural parts of the animal's diet. Whether it's corn for cows or soybeans for chickens, these animals rarely have access to the foods they are naturally adapted to eat. This situation is not only problematic for the animals -- when you eat their meat, it can become a problem for you.

One of the main reasons for this is that the fatty acid profiles of meat from a cow or chicken fed its natural diet have a much better balance of omega-3 to omega-6 fats than those of a conventionally raised cow or chicken. An imbalanced intake of these fats is a contributing factor to many of the chronic diseases modern society is faced with today.

Yet another problem stemming from the methods used in raising conventional livestock is that these animals -- especially chickens -- are typically given little, if any, access to the outdoors. The benefits from frequent sunlight exposure can certainly be extrapolated to cows and chickens as well as humans. At the very least, the vitamin D levels in an animal that has regular access to sunlight are likely to be much higher than those of an animal kept indoors all day. More vitamin D for them means more vitamin D for you when you eat their meat.

If you are concerned that organic foods are too expensive, please be sure to read Colleen Huber's excellent article on finding organic foods for the same price as processed, conventional foods.

The best way to find organic chicken would be from a local chicken farmer, as it will be the freshest and lowest priced. If that isn't available to you or it isn't in your local store, then, for your convenience, we make it available in our store.

Related Articles:

Surprising Health Benefits of an Organic Diet

Why do You Need Organic Food?

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