RedBird chicken is a brand of chicken produced by Foster Farms in the United States. It is marketed as a healthy and natural chicken option. But is RedBird chicken actually good for you? There are a few key factors to consider when evaluating the health profile of RedBird chicken.
Nutritional content
Compared to conventional chicken, RedBird chicken is lower in fat and calories. A 3.5 ounce serving of RedBird chicken breast contains 140 calories, 1.5 g of fat, 0 g of carbohydrates, and 27 g of protein. This supplys you with 34% of your daily protein needs. Conventional chicken breast in comparison contains around 170 calories and 3 g of fat per serving.
RedBird chicken is also enriched with selenium. Selenium is an important antioxidant mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health. Each serving provides 50 mcg of selenium, which is over 90% of the recommended daily intake.
Overall, RedBird chicken breast is nutritionally similar to other types of skinless, boneless chicken breast. But it stands out for its slightly lower fat content and added selenium.
Ingredients
RedBird chicken contains no artificial ingredients, preservatives, or added hormones and steroids. It is simply chicken with water added for moisture. Additionally, RedBird chicken is raised without antibiotics. This is important, because antibiotic overuse in chicken farming has become a major public health concern.
The simplicity of the ingredients makes RedBird an appealing option for health-conscious consumers looking to avoid additives and hormones in their meat.
Farming practices
RedBird chicken is raised cage-free on family farms in California and Oregon. The birds are provided with access to the outdoors to engage in natural behaviors like scratching and pecking. Cage-free living spaces are also enriched with perches and dust baths.
These more humane farming practices are better for the welfare of chickens. And studies show that happier, less stressed chickens produce meat that is healthier for consumers. So the cage-free environment of RedBird chickens results in better quality chicken meat.
Cooking methods
RedBird provides instructions for safe cooking and handling of their raw chicken products. They emphasize proper refrigeration and avoidance of cross-contamination to reduce food safety risks like salmonella. Their cooking directions highlight healthy methods like roasting, baking, or grilling. These preserve nutrients and avoid adding unnecessary fat, salt, or preservatives through frying or breading.
Nutrition facts
Here is a nutrition facts comparison between a 3.5 ounce serving of RedBird chicken breast and conventional chicken breast:
Nutrient | RedBird Chicken | Conventional Chicken |
---|---|---|
Calories | 140 | 170 |
Fat | 1.5g | 3g |
Carbohydrates | 0g | 0g |
Protein | 27g | 27g |
Selenium | 50mcg | 20mcg |
As you can see, RedBird chicken is slightly lower in calories and fat compared to conventional chicken breasts. It also provides more than double the selenium. Otherwise, it is nutritionally very similar.
Health benefits
What are the specific health perks associated with eating RedBird chicken? Here are some of the top benefits this chicken can provide:
Lower fat
With 1.5 grams of fat per serving, RedBird chicken breast is lower in fat compared to alternatives. Consuming foods that are lower in saturated fat can help reduce your risk of obesity, heart disease, and other chronic health conditions.
Rich source of lean protein
Protein is essential for building and repairing tissues and muscle mass. RedBird chicken breast contains 27 grams of protein in each 3.5 ounce serving. Selecting lean sources of protein like RedBird chicken can promote muscle growth and satisfaction after meals.
Enriched with selenium
RedBird chicken provides 50 mcg of selenium per serving, which is highly beneficial. Selenium supports reproductive health, DNA production, thyroid function, and protection against oxidative damage and infection.
No added hormones or antibiotics
With no added growth hormones or antibiotics, RedBird chicken avoids some of the health concerns associated with conventionally raised chickens. There is controversy over whether hormone and antibiotic consumption impacts human health. But avoiding them is considered the healthier choice.
More humane farming
The cage-free living conditions of RedBird chickens lower their stress levels compared to caged chickens. Chickens raised in less crowded, more sanitary environments face lower risks of disease. Happier chickens equate to healthier birds and higher quality meat.
Downsides of RedBird chicken
RedBird chicken does have some disadvantages to consider:
Higher price point
As a specialty brand, RedBird chicken tends to cost more than generic store-brand chicken. For instance, RedBird boneless, skinless chicken breasts average $8.99 per pound. Generic chicken breast is often $5.99 per pound. The higher welfare standards and lack of artificial additives come at a premium price.
Limited cooking instructions
RedBird provides basic cooking directions focused on baking, grilling, and roasting. However, they do not offer recipe ideas incorporating their chicken into diverse dishes and cuisines. Consumers need to come up with creative meal ideas on their own.
Need for proper handling
Like all raw poultry, RedBird products require meticulous handling to avoid contamination or foodborne illness. The consumer must thoroughly cook the chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F and prevent cross-contamination during storage and prep. Proper handling is essential for safety.
No vegetarian alternative
Obviously, RedBird chicken is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans. People avoiding meat need to seek plant-based alternatives. But this issue applies broadly to all chicken products, not just the RedBird brand.
Comparison to other brands
How does RedBird chicken compare to other leading chicken brands in terms of health and nutrition? Here is an overview:
Tyson
Tyson chicken is conventionally raised with antibiotics and does not have nutrients added. Tyson costs less than RedBird but is higher in fat due to the skin-on cuts. Overall, RedBird is the healthier choice.
Perdue
Perdue Harvestland chicken is antibiotic-free with an organic option. It is competitively priced with RedBird. Perdue offers some benefits like avoiding antibiotics but lacks the added selenium in RedBird.
Foster Farms
Foster Farms standard chicken is cheaper but has more fat and calories than RedBird cuts. The brands are from the same producer, but RedBird is healthier.
Purdue
Purdue chicken contains antibiotics and hormones for faster growth. It also undergoes more processing for nuggets and patties. Purdue is less expensive but RedBird is more natural and nutritious.
Brand | Price | Fat Content | Antibiotic-Free | Added Nutrients |
---|---|---|---|---|
RedBird | $$$ | Low | Yes | Selenium |
Tyson | $ | Higher | No | No |
Perdue | $$ | Low | Yes | No |
Purdue | $ | Higher | No | No |
The bottom line
Is RedBird chicken worth buying over regular chicken? Here are some key takeaways:
Pros of RedBird
– Lower in fat and calories than conventional chicken
– Enriched with selenium, an antioxidant mineral
– Contains no hormones, antibiotics, or artificial ingredients
– Cage-free living conditions for chickens
– Safe, healthy cooking instructions provided
Cons of RedBird
– More expensive than generic store brands
– Basic cooking directions, recipes not included
– Still requires careful handling to avoid illness
– Not suitable for vegetarian or vegan diets
Overall, the pros seem to outweigh the cons for most consumers. RedBird chicken provides a healthy nutrition profile from humanely raised birds without unhealthy additives. The higher price point may be worthwhile for most people given the benefits. The chicken fits well into a natural, additive-free diet.
While not necessarily head-and-shoulders above other brands, RedBird chicken qualifies as a smart and healthier choice for individuals looking for clean, natural poultry from animals treated humanely. The company clearly takes steps to create a quality product using ethical practices.
So is RedBird chicken worth it? If you don’t mind paying a premium for antibiotic-free, additive-free meat and value humane farming methods, then RedBird is likely a suitable product. It delivers an excellent source of protein and nutrients in high-quality chicken.
References
1. RedBird Chicken: https://www.redbirdchicken.com
2. USDA FoodData Central: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
3. Johns Hopkins Medicine: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/selenium-what-you-need-to-know
4. Harvard Health Publishing: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/ditch-the-chicken-breasts
5. Animal Welfare Institute: https://awionline.org/content/cage-free-vs-battery-cage-systems
6. Nutritionix: https://www.nutritionix.com/i/usda/chicken-breast-meat-skinless-boneless-raw/513fceb575b8dbbc210019f0