Chicken is one of the most popular and widely consumed meats in the world. If you’re a non-vegetarian, it’s likely that you eat chicken very regularly. It’s best to eat organic free range chicken as broiler chickens are grown indoors and fed antibiotics to prevent the spread of disease. Free range is a much more ethical form of farming and not to mention, it tastes much better too! Chicken has a ton of nutrients to keep your body functioning the way it should.1
1. Builds Muscle
Chicken is, of course, full of protein which is one of the most important elements to building muscle. It makes a great addition to a protein rich diet as it’s low in fat and high on lots of essential vitamins.
2. Helps Weight Loss
Another reason that chicken is good for you is that it’s low in fat and cholesterol. This makes it a great choice for those looking to lose weight or build muscle. It has less saturated fat than other forms of red meat. If you’re a carnivore, you’re better off choosing chicken over other kinds of red meat like beef or lamb.
3. Relieves Stress
Chicken contains a chemical called tryptophan which is used by the body to create serotonin. Serotonin is an important anti-depressant. It can help you feel more relaxed and reduce anxiety. If you just had a long day at work, perhaps a nice chicken dinner will help put you at ease.
4. Maintains Bone Health
Chicken contains minerals like calcium and phosphorus which make up the sturdiest parts of our body-the bones! They are essential for maintaining bone health.
5. Boosts Immunity
There’s a reason why chicken soup is such a popular sick food recommendation. The hot soup helps relieve congestion while the essential vitamins and minerals in chicken help strengthen your body to fight the infection. Chicken also contains selenium which is a compound that contains antioxidants. These antioxidants kill free radicals which cause damage and therefore protect you from falling ill.
6. Maintains Heart Health
The compound tryptophan which helps the body produce serotonin, also helps the body produce niacin which is a compound which helps lower and control levels of cholesterol in the body. Reduced cholesterol spells great news for the heart. Chicken, being rich in vitamin B6, plays an important role in preventing a heart attack. Vitamin B6 helps by lowering the levels of homocysteine which is a chemical that increases the risk of heart attack.
Healthiest Way To Cook Chicken
The healthiest way to cook chicken is by poaching a skinless chicken breast in water. This keeps the chicken moist while keeping it free from any additives or extra fat. It also doesn’t have the harmful cancer-causing effects of browning meat. On the contrary, it keeps the chicken in its purest form and you can use it many recipes such as stir fries, sandwiches, and salads.
Skin Or No Skin?
Chicken skin, contrary to popular belief isn’t all that bad for you. In fact, it’s unsaturated fat which means that it’s the healthy kind. This doesn’t increase your bad cholesterol. That being said, it is fattening. But it’s not so bad to indulge every now and then and enjoy some chicken with the skin on.
Chicken is a great addition to a healthy diet and can be enjoyed often as long as it’s cooked healthily and paired with lots of vegetables, and a small amount of carbs to make a healthy, balanced meal.
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