Chicken and turkey seem to be the mood of this season, especially in Nigeria. It is definitely not my intention to spoil your fun, but I think it's only wise to know exactly what it is you are putting into your body.
While organically and ethically raised animals are always a better option than not, there's still some reasons chicken is not so healthy and here are a few;
* A serving of chicken contains just as much cholesterol as red meat. And eggs contain three times that. Cholesterol is linked to clogged arteries and heart disease.
*Grillled chicken-a popular alternative to fried- commonly contains PhlP (2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo (4,5-b pyridine), which may contribute to the development of certain types of cancers including breast and prostate.
*A common industry practice involve feeding chicken arsenic in order to make them grow faster. Its highly toxic to humans and can cause cancer, dementia, neurological problems and other ailments.
*HCAs (heterocyclic amines) are found in meats cooked at high temperature, including chicken and been linked to an increased of cancer.
However, white meat such as chicken and turkey are better than red meat. In general, red meats (beef, pork and lamb) have more cholesterol and saturated fat than chicken, fish and vegetable proteins such as beans. Cholesterol and saturated fat can raise your blood cholesterol and maake heart disease worse. Chicken and fish have less saturated fat than most red meat.
Benefits of Eating Chicken
*High in protein
If you're looking for a great source of lean, low fat protein, this bird is the word. The protein in chicken lends itself to muscle growth and development, and help support a healthy body weight and aid weight loss.
*Natural Anti-depressant
Chicken, like it's brother, turkey, is high in amino an acid called tryptophan; a precursor of serotonin the body's happy hormone. It does not only make you happy, it helps you sleep.
*Prevents Bone Loss
It prevents osteoporosis and arthritis. This is credited to the protein content.
*High Protein Content:
Eating a food high in protein helps to increase the feeling of satiety and make you feel fuller for a longer period. Getting enough protein ensures maintenance of lean muscle mass and can keep insulin levels stable after meals.
The breast of turkey have less fat and calories than most other cuts of meat. But do not assume that just because a product is made from turkey it is healthier. For example, a burger made from ground turkey can contain just as much saturated fat as beef burger, depending on how much dark meat is included in the ground turkey.
Others:
Turkey also contains the mineral selenium which studies have suggested higher intakes may decrease the risk of colorectal, prostate, lung, bladder, skin, esophageal and gastric cancers.
Note:
Keep in mind that the amount of protein one consumes at each meal matters, you can only absorb so much at a time. Make sure to have one lean protein source at each meal and spread your intake throughout the day. Other good choices for protein include nuts, fish, eggs, diary, soy and legumes.
The recommended daily intake of protein is 0.75-0.8g/kg ideal body weight/ day. Consult your dietitian for interpretation in dietary terms.
