Most Common Meat Handling Mistakes

In our previous establishment, we have discussed the link between histamine overload and inflammation and how to bring balance to your dog’s gut microbiome with the Volhard Gastrointestinal Diet Protocol. However, responding to your canine’s inflammation symptoms is only half the battle. Now, it’s time for you to learn how to prevent histamine overload in the first place and substitute the histamine-rich bone broths with the more friendly meat broths!

Histamine overload occurrences are frequently caused by the way we handle the meat we feed to our dogs. The meat’s source and cooking methods determine the concentration of histamines found in your dog’s food. Here are the most frequent meat handling mistakes and tips on how to avoid them altogether:

Most Common Meat Handling Mistakes

1. Mistake: Buying Conventionally-Raised Meat and Farmed Fish

Conventionally raised meat and farmed fish can have high levels of antibiotics, toxins, and growth hormones. These can all raise histamine levels. Further, the animals are raised in stressful conditions. This means they are full of stress hormones. And they are fed grains. So, when you consume these foods, this is getting passed to you. And those things can lead to inflammation in your body when you consume them.

Instead: Buy pasture-raised meat and wild-caught fish.

Pasture raised means the animals were raised outdoors and fed on grass, not grains (in the case of cattle). They are also raised without growth hormones or antibiotics. This method is more humane for the animals. And there are many health benefits for your dog, too. Pasture raised meats and wild caught fish have higher levels of Omega 3s. Omega 3s are good for your mast cells (and help keep histamine lower). And pasture raised meats are also raised without chemicals that wreak havoc on your dog’s body.

But it is important to find a reputable source. Some farmers use the term “pasture-raised” lightly. (Note – “natural” and organic meats are still fed grains. “Natural” and “Organic” do not mean the same as pasture raised.)

2. Mistake: Buying Unfrozen Meat or Fish From the Grocery Meat Department

Meat and fish build in histamine levels very fast, especially on unfrozen meat and fish. Meat and fish can sit unfrozen at the grocery for a week or more. And who knows how old it was before it made it to the grocery?

Instead: Buy meat as fresh as possible or immediately frozen after slaughter.

3. Mistake: Giving Up if You Don’t Have Access to a Local Farmer

Don’t give up! Your health is worth getting the best protein sources you can for your body.

Instead: Purchase with US Wellness Meats.

If you don’t have access to a local farmer who freezes right after slaughter, you have a really good online option. US Wellness Meats has pastured chicken, turkey, and rabbit that are frozen right after slaughter. (Their bison and pork are chilled but not frozen, so may be higher histamine.)

4. Mistake: Buying Beef

Almost all beef is aged. That makes it very high in histamine. It is usually best to avoid beef unless you can get it unaged and frozen immediately after slaughter. This is really rare and hard to find.

Instead: Choose pasture-raised, frozen chicken, pork, lamb, mutton, and turkey.

These options won’t be aged and will be much lower in histamine if handled properly.

5. Mistake: Buying Ground Meats

Ground meats collect bacteria faster because of increased surface area. I’ve tried ground pork multiple times from my tried and true local farmer. I was hoping that since it was frozen right away, it would be ok. But I reacted badly each time. So skip the pre-ground meats. Even the frozen ones.

Instead: Grind your own meat at home using a meat grinder.

I’ve used the meat grinder attachments that come with my food processor and juicer. What if you don’t have those appliances and still really want breakfast sausage? This meat grinder is a good option and is very affordable.

6. Mistake: Eating Fish

In order to be safe from histamine issues, fish and shellfish have to be gutted within 30 minutes after catch. Then the fish has to be frozen on the boat to keep histamine levels down.

Otherwise, fish and seafood are some of the highest histamine foods! Fish and seafood that wasn’t immediately gutted and frozen can be your worst histamine enemy.

Instead: What if you really love fish?

Vital Choice guarantees their King Salmon is gutted and flash frozen on the boat. It is the safest option for those of us with histamine issues. The Sockeye Salmon is caught close to shore and processed quickly. You might try it once you have had significant recovery with histamine sensitivities.

7. Mistake: Letting Meat or Fish Sit in the Fridge After Thawing

Again, those histamine levels will build quickly. Don’t let meat or fish sit in the fridge after thawing!

Instead: To thaw your meat or fish, let it thaw in the fridge until it is still a little frosty but almost thawed through.

For smaller cuts of meat, you can run hot water over it until thawed. An Instant Pot can cook meat that is frozen solid in usually 45 to 90 minutes.

8. Mistake: Keeping Leftovers in the Fridge

The bacteria that produce histamines start building right away on leftovers, even in the fridge. It is worse with meat. But even veggies will build in histamine levels, too.

Instead: Once you cook meat, freeze the leftovers right away.

When I’m done cooking, I make my plate and immediately put all leftovers into glass storage containers and put them in the freezer. This makes a huge difference. Some things, like salads, obviously won’t freeze well. But freeze leftovers as much as possible.

Then thaw your leftovers as you are going to eat them – again you can thaw in the fridge until still a little frosty. Or you can run hot water over it to thaw. Then reheat. I do choose to sometimes use a microwave to thaw my food. It is mainly the radiation from microwaves that are the problem. So I leave the kitchen while the microwave is heating leftovers to avoid the radiation.

What Can We Make Instead? Meat Broth!

Meat Broth is a wonderful alternative to slow cooked (histamine-rich) Bone Broth.

Are there still benefits, despite the shortened cooking time? Absolutely. Here are some benefits of meat broth:

• Still has the healing amino acids
• Supports the gut
• Very soothing to the digestive system
• Much lower in histamine
• Much lower in glycine (fewer oxalate/glutamate issues)
• Easy to make
• Can freeze in cubes for future meals

Ingredients:

• 2 cups low-histamine meat, thawed
• 2 cups water
• 2 stalks celery
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon unrefined sea salt (like Celtic)

You can now add some herbs:

• Cilantro
• Ginger
• Lemongrass
• Italian parsley
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Basil

Directions:

1. Heat water in a pan until boiling.
2. Carefully add meat, vegetables, sea salt, and any herbs.
3. Simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Take off heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
5. Strain and enjoy as is, freezing any leftovers. Or transfer to BPA-free ice cube trays and freeze for future recipes.

A Final Word

Histamine overload occurrences greatly depend on how we treat the food designated for our dogs. With these recommendations on how to find, cook, and store meat for your dog, you can significantly reduce the chances of histamine overload, something that your canine companion will truly be grateful for! For more advice on dog nutrition, health, and training, make sure that you contact us or check out our blog!

Volhard Dog Nutrition and its expert nutritionists are now offering online consultations to help more dog parents discover why, what, and how to feed their dogs the healthiest of foods! Speaking to a Volhard nutritionist will help you understand the inseparable relationship between healthy food, a healthy body, and a healthy mind. If you're interested in contacting one of our Volhard nutritionists, don't hesitate to access our consultation page!