Health Benefits of Chicken Bones

Cleaning and cooking a whole chicken and cooking with the bones may be more time-consuming but it is definitely more beneficial for our health, reduces waste and also makes any recipe more flavorful.

So why cook with bone-in meats? Bones are a good source of various minerals, collagen (called gelatin once cooked) and also amino acids such as proline and glycine. “Collagen” literally means “glue producing” and it is what holds our bones together. Collagen is found in animal muscles, bones, skin, tendons, blood vessels and the digestive system too. Collagen and amino acids are needed as building blocks for our own collagen production and many critical functions in our body.

Our bodies use minerals in many ways, such as carrying oxygen, enzyme function, hormone health, bone health and the list goes on. Since we cannot synthesize minerals we must obtain them from food. Cooking with bones provides a simple, delicious and inexpensive way to receive all these nutrients.

Two of the best reasons for cooking with “good” fat are, of course, excellent flavor and enhanced absorption of vitamins. In the case of animal fat, good fat could be defined as from an animal that was raised in pasture and sunshine and ate a healthy organic supplemental feed. We are what we eat, we are what what we eat eats, but we are also what we absorb! Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble, absorbed best when consumed with higher-fat foods. Once absorbed into the body, fat-soluble vitamins can also be stored in fatty tissues and liver for future use. Fat does have more calories than protein or carbohydrates but it is also a good source of fuel for sustained energy production; it is the building block of our cellular membranes, and essential for hormones and the nervous system. When consuming animal fat, a healthy animal source is most crucial as fat is also known to store toxins. So, the quality of the meat matters most to avoid exposure to unwanted substances.

If you are looking for healthy meat, find a local farm and get a pastured chicken!