
Avoid This BIG Thanksgiving Mistake
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
Like millions of Americans, you’ll probably be hitting the grocery store in the coming week.
And when you’re picking out your ingredients for your Thanksgiving feast, you’ll be facing some hard questions about the bird you select.
You’ll see lots of labels like “organic” or “cage free” or “no antibiotics.”
But are these turkeys any healthier? And are they worth the extra money?
Today I’m going to help you answer some of those questions — and avoid common mistakes lots of folks make this time of year.
Let’s get started…
First, let’s get one thing out of the way: If you see “cage free” “hormone free/raised without hormones” or “natural” on any poultry, understand these labels mean just about nothing.
All poultry raised for meat must be cage free, and hormones aren’t allowed. And “natural” means only that nothing synthetic has been added to the meat and it has only been minimally processed.
With that said, conventional mass-marketed turkeys are probably your worst choice for a Thanksgiving bird. They’re raised in very close quarters, and they do everything on top of each other (including pooping).
Because of their filthy living conditions, these dirty bird are often fed antibiotics to prevent infections. According to the Poultry Science Association, many turkey producers also add antibiotics to the feed to make the turkeys grow faster and larger.
That makes these turkeys a “fowl” choice (I couldn’t help myself) since antibiotics can cause mess with your gut health and further antibiotic resistance.
In addition, conventional factory farm birds are fed pesticide-laden corn and soy that is likely genetically modified, which can lead to high levels of pesticides (think Round-up) in your meat.
On the other hand, organic turkeys are raised without antibiotics and are fed only organic feed. These birds have access to the outdoors, but that could mean a bare patch of dirt or concrete slab. It doesn’t mean they were able to stretch their little turkey legs in a pasture or eat the insects that live there.
However, pastured poultry (sometimes called free range) are free to roam outside and eat a natural diet of bugs, which can increase their omega-3 content. And because these lucky fowl are given more space, they’re less likely to get infections or need antibiotics.
In most cases, their diets are supplemented with feed. Sometimes it’s organic and sometimes it’s not. Look for both labels to be sure when purchasing.
Other than the omega-3 content, organic and pastured poultry don’t seem to have any significant differences from conventional meat from a nutrient standpoint. However, ditching antibiotics and deadly pesticides meat is always a good idea, both for your health and the health of your family. This makes an organic, pastured turkey your healthiest choice.
That being said, they aren’t easy to get your hands on. Antibiotic-free organic turkeys are only about 2.3% of the total number of turkeys produced each year in the U.S. And pastured poultry is even harder to find. Localharvest.org can help you find a farmer near you so you can buy one directly from them. Some grocers like Wegmans and Whole Foods also sell organic turkeys.
If you do decide to go organic, prepare yourself for sticker shock. While a conventionally raised Butterball turkey typically sells for $0.99 per pound, organic turkey is much pricier.
But I think you’ll find it’s a good investment in your health and safety.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: nmoore@lfb.org – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Sources
[1] Know Your Chicken: What USDA Poultry Labels Actually Mean
[1] Poultry News
[1] Pasture and Feed Affect Broiler Nutrition

Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
The 5 Health Numbers Your Doctor Wishes You'd Track
Have you ever been told you should “advocate” for yourself when it comes to your healthcare and wondered what that really means? It’s not just a buzzword—it’s a powerful concept that empowers you to take charge of your own health journey. In fact, it could save your life. Being your own best health advocate starts...
Do THIS Every 20 Minutes to STOP Digital Eye Strain
Our eyes are under assault—they are the true victims of our current digital age. And it’s because we are constantly glued to screens… phones, tablets, computers, TVs—you name it. Unfortunately, that screen time is taking a serious toll. Digital eye strain affects millions worldwide. In fact, up to 50 percent of computer users could develop...
Mailbag: The Calcium Mistake That's Hardening Your Arteries
“What type of calcium is best to take with bisphosphonates for osteoporosis? I know some varieties can build up in arteries. Thanks for the help.” —Bone Builder Hi Builder, When a patient asks me about calcium, I ask them a peculiar question in return… “Ever wonder how elephants and giraffes build and maintain their massive...
Doctor-Approved Method to Ditch Blood Pressure Meds
In a world where drug solutions dominate healthcare, it’s refreshing to discover that best remedies sometimes don’t involve a single pill. A groundbreaking study shows simple relaxation techniques could be your secret weapon against one of America’s deadliest health conditions. Best of all? It’s free, easy to start right away—and your results are bound to...
Trouble Hearing? Your Heart Could Be at Risk
With research exploding and data pouring in, scientists are uncovering some weird (and surprisingly helpful) health connections. Today’s odd couple? Hearing loss and heart failure. Turns out your ears and your ticker are more connected than you ever imagined. A major study published in the journal Heart looked at over 164,000 people for nearly a...
Stay Up Late? It Could Destroy Your Mental Health
If you dread mornings but come alive at night, there’s concerning new research you need to know about. A recent study found that “night owls” are at higher risk for depression. But before you rush to set your alarm to get up with the sun tomorrow, there’s more to the story… Chronotypes are essentially your...
Go from Flabby to Fit with this Common Vitamin
If you’re like many of us, you woke up one day, looked in the mirror, and realized you’re no spring chicken anymore. Even worse—when you weren’t paying attention—it seems you somehow misplaced the muscles of your youth and have gone from fit to flabby. Aging has a way of humbling us like that. But scientists...
Seasonal Allergy “Off Switch” Discovered in the GUT
“Doc, why am I suddenly suffering from seasonal allergies when I’ve never had them before?” It’s a question I get all the time—and my answer might surprise you. Stop looking up at the trees—and start looking down at your gut… Your sneezing fits, itchy eyes, and runny nose might have more to do with what’s...
“Canary in the Coal Mine” Test Sniffs Out Brain Issues Early
One of the most common questions I get is how to tell if you’re starting to experience cognitive decline. I get it—losing your memory is scary, especially when it sneaks up on you. But here’s some exciting news that might put your mind at ease. A fascinating new study suggests that your nose might be...
BEAT Stubborn Leg Swelling Without Dangerous Diuretics
“I need help with edema.” —Swollen Hi Swollen, When patients complain of edema—fluid retention that causes feet, ankles, and legs to swell—I explain that, while conventional medicine immediately prescribes diuretic drugs, nature offers us effective solutions we can try first. I’ll share those in just a moment, but first, let’s take a quick look at...