While reading other blogs regarding the Atkins Diet, I came across a posting that has given me some second thoughts about going back on the diet. The diet works, and regardless of whether or not I choose to go back on it, I know from experience that it is a good way to effectively lose weight and regain energy, that we often rob ourselves of if we consume high levels of carbohydrates - especially "bad carbs" derived from processed foods. The following footage contains some disturbing facts that us meat-lovers should take into account when we choose to consume products derived from farmed animals.
As a former knifehand at a New Zealand meat factory, I was appalled to learn these practices were commonplace in some meat factories in our world. Under NZ standards, workers exhibiting such inhumane behaviour would be sacked, and companies allowing these practises would lose their license to operate. Fortunately, I wouldn't buy meat or dairy products from any other country as we already have some exceptional products here. But, if I did, I would be very wary of what I was putting in my mouth.
For the hardcore PETA worker or vegetarian, understandably all meat factories would be considered unadvisable, but for all us meat-lovers out there, if you want quality meats, New Zealand meats are a good choice. PPCS Ltd is the company I used to work for, having amalgamated with Richmond (our company's former name), PPCS specialises in producing quality products. All livestock are raised on country, open-aired farms, and to my knowledge, any lame or diseased stock are not processed for human consumption. We are not allowed to physically or verbally harm any livestock found in our company yards and all stock is slaughtered in compliance with Halal standards and practices. To ensure high standards regarding hygiene, health and safety are practised to the "T" throughout the company, we have regular audits from PPCS and companies whom we supply to, and we provide a made-to-specifications service ie if our MacDonald's auditors request that workers must not yell or verbally abuse stock to make them co-operate, the workers are forbidden to do so, if they want products handled and packed a specific way - that is exactly how their orders are handled and packed. As it is commonplace in New Zealand to meet high standards, you can count on most of our country's products to be exceptional in quality, whether they are from PPCS, Richmond Ltd, Riverland's, Affco, Turners etc.
This directory lists some of our NZ meat companies here
Truth is I never ate a lot of meat before I started the Atkins diet, so becoming vegetarian wouldn't be a huge hurdle for me, but the diet addressed my need to limit my excessive carborhydrate consumption. I think if anything, my diet was lacking in protein. Every meal I used to have would include bread. I'd make sandwiches out of most of my meals without thinking anything of it, virtually killing the benefits of eating healthily ie fresh lettuce salad with a thin slice of ham would automatically be sandwiched between bread, stew - sandwiched between bread, healthy hearty soup - with bread lol. So now, I think I'll aim at a better balanced diet with a healthy range of foods, the least processed the better. I don't know, I'll add that decision to my 101 things to do tommorrow. Oh dear, times ticking again - I better catch some zzz's...
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