Chicken - the miracle meat
Chicken is one of those meat items that finds its place in all Indian
meals. A favorite among all age groups, chicken is not only easily
available, but is also nutritious and healthy if consumed in right
quantities.
This lean meat can do wonders for all those non-vegetarians when
consumed in a controllable manner. Implementing healthier food
habits in our diets ensures a good body and better immunity. So
here goes some of the numerous benefits of the delightful
chicken!
Nutritional value of chicken
While chicken is a lean meat with loads of proteins, it is also high
on cholesterol. However, chicken provides selenium which
contains antioxidants that help control free radicals and improve
your immune system.
A 100gms of cooked chicken would usually contain 239 calories.
Of 100gms, 27gms would be only protein which is important for
growth and development of various organs in the body. Besides,
chicken also helps in maintaining the desired body weight.
Furthermore, it gives zinc and iron and is an excellent source for
Vitamins B6, B12 and D.
What you get when you consume chicken?
Body weight maintenance: With chicken being an excellent
source of high quality protein, it helps in maintaining body weight
especially for obese people. Adequate protein quantities would
mean that your stomach stays full leaving no scope for binge
eating. Including chicken two to three times in a week is not a bad
idea, however, ensure to cook it in a healthy way.
That toned figure that you desired: Do you aspire to have a
muscular and toned body, then chicken is your answer. The high
protein content would give you the necessary energy to function
properly. However, do ensure to balance it out with enough
macro and micro nutrients in your diet.
Strong bones and healthy teeth: The protein content in chicken
helps in decreasing bone loss. Bone loss is a major concern for
women (aged 30 and above) and the geriatric population.
Consuming 100gms of chicken breast would be sufficient in
fulfilling half of your daily protein intake. Furthermore, the
phosphorus in chicken helps in maintaining healthy teeth, bones,
and ensures proper functioning of kidneys, liver and the central
nervous system.
Increased metabolism: Since selenium is present in good
quantities, consuming chicken would mean increase in
metabolism rates especially the thyroid hormone, antioxidant
defense system and immune function of the body.
Protection from cancer: You heard it right! Chicken is rich in
niacin, a particular kind of Vitamin B that guards the body against
cancer and other genetic complications.
Did you know?
The different parts of chicken has different levels of cholesterol
and fat. Below is the fat content:
1. Chicken Breast(With skin)-7.8g, (Without Skin)-3.6g
2. Chicken Leg(With skin)-11.2, (Without skin) - 10.9g
3. Chicken Thighs(With skin),(Without skin) -25g
4. Chicken Wing(with skin)-27g,(without skin) -30g
5. Whole Chicken meat only-6.6g,Whole Chicken meat and skin-
13.4g
Cooking chicken the healthy way!
Most of us associate the word “healthy” with bland food.
However, that’s not true. Just throw in healthier spices and curd
while you cook chicken and don’t forget to use cooking methods
like steaming, broiling, roasting and grilling to get that delectable
dish!
So go on, include more chicken and have a gastronomic
experience while staying healthy!
Cooking
By far, the most popular of all white meats is chicken. For
starters, it’s inexpensive and quick to prepare. Plus it can be
served in a way variety of ways (chicken soup and diced up in a
salad are just a few favorites.) But that’s not all! Peacock’s
Poultry Farm team wants you to remember that the health
benefits of eating chicken are just as numerous.
1. Rich in Protein – It’s a great source of lean, low fat protein
which contribute to muscle growth and development. That
protein also helps support a healthy body weight and aids weight
loss.
2. Good for the Heart – Eating chicken breast suppresses and
controls a body’s homocysteine amino acid levels which, if too
high, can lead to cardiovascular disease.
3. Plenty of Phosphorus – They’re rich in phosphorus, an
essential mineral that supports your teeth and bones, as well as
kidney, liver, and central nervous system function.
4. Abundant in Selenium – Provides this essential mineral
involved in metabolic performance … in other words thyroid,
hormone, metabolism, and immune function.
5. Boosts Metabolism – Vitamin B6 (or B-complex vitamins) in
chicken will keep blood vessels healthy, energy levels high, and
metabolism burning away calories so you can manage a healthy
weight..
6. Rich in Niacin – Another B-vitamin, niacin helps guard against
cancer and other forms of genetic (DNA) damage.
7. Natural Anti-depressant – If you’re feeling depressed, eating
some poultry will increase the serotonin amino acid levels in your
brain, enhancing your mood, blasting stress, and lulling you to
sleep.
8. Promotes Eye Health – An excellent source of retinol, alpha
and beta-carotene, and lycopene (all derived from vitamin A) and
all vital for healthy eyesight.
9. Essential for Healthy Tissue – Riboflavin (or Vitamin B2),
found in chicken livers, will drastically reduce your skin problems
and repair dry or damaged skin.
10. Prevents Bone Loss – If you’re entering your senior years
and you’re concerned about Osteoporosis or arthritis, eating
chicken will aid in your fight against bone loss thanks to the
protein punch it packs!
Health Benefits of Chicken
June 22, 2017 By CHiKPRO
Whether you prefer chicken soup, chicken salad, grilled chicken
breast, or convenient chicken protein powder, the lean meat of a
chicken is nutritious and delicious. It provides proteins, nutrients,
vitamins, and much more. So as you’re crafting the perfect
balanced diet, be sure to include this plucky poultry. A true classic
of the kitchen, chicken is now the most popular meat in the
country, finally toppling beef off its throne in 2014. To learn more
about the health benefits of chicken, please scroll down.
Health Benefits of Chicken
HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHICKEN
Teeming with Protein
Chicken is an excellent source of protein. It is lean, filling, and full
of beneficial amino acids. According to the National Chicken
Council, in each 100 grams (3.5 oz) of cooked skinless, boneless
chicken breast, you will find 31 grams of protein – more than half
of the daily recommended amount!
In addition, chicken’s proteins contain all the important amino
acids (simple organic compounds that compose proteins). For
example, chicken provides an ample amount of the amino acid
tryptophan, which is known to provoke a comforting and relaxing
feeling in many people (in fact, some people mistakenly blame
tryptophan for the drowsiness they experience on Thanksgiving,
because turkey contains it too). Another of chicken’s amino acids,
isoleucine, assists with wound healing (including recovery after
exercise), growth, and the stabilization of blood sugar levels. And
threonine helps maintain the central nervous system,
cardiovascular system, and immune system.
Chicken provides all nine essential amino acids (the amino acids
that humans must obtain through their diet, because the body
cannot synthesize them). Thus, chicken is a “complete protein.” It
also happens to be one of the most efficient proteins in terms of
delivering the most essential amino acids per amount of food
eaten.
Numerous Nutrients
Although perhaps best known for its plentiful protein, chicken
also contains a variety of beneficial nutrients. For example, the
following list contains just some of chicken’s many vitamins and
minerals. It also describes a few of the important functions that
each vitamin/mineral performs within the body.
Iron: Assists with growth and development, helps the body
metabolize protein, assists in the production of hemoglobin and
red blood cells
Phosphorous: Helps build strong bones and teeth, supports the
kidney and liver, assists with the function of the central nervous
system
Selenium: Protects cells from oxidative stress, helps the thyroid
produce hormones, benefits reproductive health, helps fight
cancer
Vitamin A: Helps maintain healthy vision and skin, assists with
neurological function, fights free radical damage, supports
immune function
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Helps maintain healthy blood cells,
boosts energy levels, protects eye and skin health, contributes to
growth, prevents free radical damage
Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Helps maintain a healthy cardiovascular
system, aids in metabolism, helps with brain function, benefits
skin formation and maintenance
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): Aids metabolism, helps turn
carbohydrates and fats into energy, supports the function of the
adrenal glands
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): Assists with the function of the
cardiovascular, digestive, immune, muscular, and nervous system
functions
Vitamin B7 (Biotin): Improves metabolism, assists with cell growth
and tissue maintenance, promotes healthy skin and hair
Vitamin B12: Protects the health of your nerves and red blood
cells, assists with energy production, helps regulate the nervous
system and digestive system
Zinc: Helps with hormone production, improves immunity,
facilitates digestion, acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, fights
free radical damage
Low in Calories, Cholesterol, Sodium, and Fat
With just 165 calories in 3.5 ounces of skinless, boneless chicken
breast (source), you won’t have to worry about this lean meat
destroying your weight loss goals. On the contrary, chicken is an
excellent addition to a balanced diet. The same sample size of
chicken breast (3.5 ounces) contains just 74 milligrams of sodium,
85 milligrams of cholesterol, 1 gram of saturated fat, and 4 grams
of total fat. The fat content does increase in dark meat, skin-on
portions, so keep that in mind as you make your selection.
Because chicken contains less cholesterol and saturated fat than
other common proteins, like beef and pork, it is less likely to raise
your blood cholesterol or cause heart disease. It has been shown
that dietary cholesterol is not correlated with disease and is only a
minor part of blood cholesterol. It is mostly metabolized, while
the liver primarily makes and regulates cholesterol. As for
saturated fat, much depends on which fatty acids are most
prevalent and their arrangement on the glycerol base.

Easy to Digest

The human body can quickly digest and absorb the proteins and
nutrients listed above, ensuring that the majority of the health
benefits of chicken do not go to waste. One of the easiest foods to
digest, chicken complements the diets of people suffering from
chronic digestion issues like irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s
disease as well.

Convenience

In addition to the many health benefits of chicken, you can’t deny

the protein’s convenience. You can find it in most any grocery
store, and even amateur chefs can easily prepare chicken with a
little knowhow. You can cook it in a variety of ways (grilling,
roasting, poaching, baking), and you can use it in numerous
recipes. Whether you prefer grilled chicken atop a salad, stir-fried
chicken with veggies, or chicken protein powder mixed into an
omelet, you simply can’t go wrong with chicken.

Finally, it’s important to note that some disadvantages

accompany the many health benefits of chicken. For example, the
way in which you prepare chicken can dramatically affect its
nutrition. A fried piece of skin-on thigh meat, for example, simply
isn’t as healthy as a grilled portion of skinless breast meat. In
addition, remember to handle and cook your chicken properly to
avoid salmonella, a bacterium that can cause food poisoning. If
purchasing chicken protein powder, ensure that the product
comes from a safe and reliable manufacturer.

If you’re looking to add a boost of protein to your diet, try

CHiKPRO™, a nutritious chicken protein isolate powder. Versatile
and easy to use, this protein supplement contains 25 grams of
protein in each 30-gram scoop! As we mentioned above, you can
use it in pizza, waffles, smoothie, frittatas, and many more
delicious recipes. Plus, it is non-allergenic, dairy-free, and gluten-
free. Visit our website to purchase products powered by
CHiKPRO™.