Most people assume that those following a paleo-styled diet eat meat, meat, and more meat. However, that’s not true; most individuals ascribing to a paleo diet don’t consume more meat than anyone following a standard diet. The subtle, but significant difference lies in the quality of the meat consumed.
Paleo enthusiasts prioritize food quality a lot more than the general population. Not only does it concern the chicken they choose, but also other foods like beef and crops. Let’s delve deeper into the chicken quality debate.
The Chlorinated Chicken Problem
A major concern among those seeking quality meat is the issue of chlorinated chicken – a term used to describe chicken that has been soaked in chlorine. This is a prevalent practice in American poultry processing plants which use a cap full of chlorine per gallon to chill chicken carcasses to help kill bugs like salmonella. This might reduce chances of the bacteria spreading, but it also leaves a strong chlorine smell in the meat.
If you buy chicken from a commercial store, there’s a high probability it has been treated with chlorine. It’s important to ask yourself whether you actually want to feed your family with chlorine-soaked meat.
Curiously, the Europeans have shown significant concern over the chlorinated chicken phenomenon. It may even be one of the biggest hesitations European countries have to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP). The trade agreement between the U.S. and Europe aims to open opportunities for American businesses to export goods and services. However, Europeans want nothing to do with American food, especially chlorinated chicken. They worry that this could degrade their food standards and impact their health.
European vs American Food Standards
Europeans generally follow farm-to-table practices, where chickens are raised cleaner and kept bug-free before being slaughtered. This approach may make the meat costlier (about a dollar per pound), but it also means there are no chemicals in their food.
America’s big food manufacturers prioritize cost above all else. The chicken processing plants that use chlorine to treat their meat can produce chicken for just 80 cents per pound. This low price may be attractive to consumers, but it could come at the expense of their health. In fact, European countries have significantly lower rates of obesity and other diseases. Several studies have linked the presence of chlorine in drinking water to cancer, spontaneous abortions, and atherosclerosis. The question then arises – is the lower cost of chlorinated chicken really worth jeopardizing our health?
Obesity and Endocrine Disruptors
It is no secret that the obesity epidemic is much worse in the U.S. than in Europe. Even though the French are known for their consumption of fatty cheese and wine, they don’t suffer from high obesity levels. This is primarily because they avoid consuming endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemicals and unhealthy calories. The cleaner eating habits in Europe are responsible for their better health than their American counterparts.
The Takeaway
America could learn a thing or two from European food standards. More Americans should be concerned about the quality of food produced, farmed, and consumed in this country. By prioritizing clean food choices, the negative health effects from toxins can be mitigated. Ultimately, it’s up to individuals to decide whether they want to maintain the status quo or make changes to improve their health by opting for cleaner food like the Europeans do.
