Green Thanksgiving: Benefits of Free Range, Organic or Heritage Turkeys Vs the Traditional Frozen Turkey

Thanksgiving is around the corner, and many are deciding on the type of turkey to serve guest. Choosing a free range, organic or heritage turkey is a great start towards having a green Thanksgiving. There are more benefits than disadvantages for choosing an organic turkey. The main disadvantage of an organic turkey is its price, which can sometimes be double the price of a traditional frozen turkey. A turkey is suppose to age for three days for maximum tenderness. The traditional turkey is usually immediately thrown on ice. An organic turkey is free of chemicals, fresh, and treated humanly, which makes the extra cost worth it.

Traditional Frozen Thanksgiving Turkey

A traditional turkey may be super-sized because it is chemically and genetically modified, which may make the turkey drier and less tender. Many traditional turkeys are raised in crowded conditions inside and under heat lamps. They are usually feed corn-based mash that may be laced with hormones or antibiotics. Many turkeys become overweight, which can contribute to broken bones, or cause the turkey to die from a heart attack.

Heritage Turkey for a Green Thanksgiving

Heritage turkeys are naturally breed, and are more resistant to diseases. They account for the majority of all supermarket turkeys sold. Heritage turkeys dine on fresh grass and insects, and have considerably long, happy lives. They are more expensive, and have more dark meat than light meat.

Organic Turkey for a Green Thanksgiving

Organic turkeys are know to have a better flavor, and to have a lower risk of salmonella. These turkeys are also known to have many health benefits. Organic turkeys spend a great deal of time grazing outside eating a diet that is free of pesticides, hormones and antibiotics. If you want to be certain the turkey you are purchasing is organic, buy it directly from a farmer or health food store that you know and trust. For a turkey to be certified organic, the entire environment from yard to feed has to follow the government standard "all natural" label.

Free Range Turkey for a Green Thanksgiving

Free range turkeys mainly spend their life outside of a pen. They feast on grubs and grass. You want to make sure if you choose a free range turkey for your green Thanksgivings that is labeled all natural and organic. Free range doesn't always mean all natural that is why the labeling is so important.

For more information on choosing a heritage, free-range or organic turkey for a green Thanksgiving go to: www.goinggreendc.net, www.feteandfeast.com, www.readersdigest.ca, and www.thefreelibrary.com.