Chicken

When it comes to lean meat, chicken is the most popular option. It is packed with a variety of nutrients, without a lot of fat. Chicken comes in different cuts, including breasts, thighs, wings and drumsticks each of which having different proportions of fat and proteins.

Chicken breast: Chicken breast is the most popular cut, high in protein and low in fat. It is very popular among people trying to lose weight. Nutritional facts of chicken breast per serving (85 grams):

Calories	122
Protein	24 grams
Fat	3 grams
Carbs	o grams
Niacin	51% of RDI
Selenium	36% of RDI
Phosphorus	17% of RDI
Vitamin B6	16% of RDI
Vitamin B12	10% of RDI
Riboflavin	9% of RDI
Zinc	7% of RDI
Thiamine	6% of RDI
Potassium	5% of RDI
Copper	4% of RDI

Protein is necessary for building and repairing tissues and for maintaining muscle mass. Chicken is packed with various vitamins, including niacin and vitamins B6 and B12,. These vitamins play a major role in energy production, DNA synthesis, and brain health. Selenium, a trace element found in chicken, is necessary for proper immune function, thyroid health, and fertility. Chicken has an incredible nutrient profile. Adding chicken to the diet in the right amount is a very healthy option. Being low in calories and high in protein makes chicken an excellent option for people with a goal of weight loss. The protein present in chicken increases the fullness for a long time, reducing the total calorie intake. It is also low in calories, so it enhances weight loss. Additionally, protein present in it also help maintain lean body mass. Studies show that increasing your intake of protein may enhance feelings of fullness, increase weight loss, and help maintain lean body mass.

Protein is involved in calcium metabolism, thus important for optimizing bone health. Protein can also increase muscle growth, when paired with resistance training.

A detailed comparison of calories, carbs, protein, and fat among different cuts of chicken per piece:

	Chicken Breast	Chicken Thigh	Chicken Wing	Chicken Drumstick
Weight per serving	172 grams	52 grams	21 grams	44 grams
Calories	284	109	42.6	76
Protein	53.4 grams	13.5 grams	6.4 grams	12.4 grams
Carbs	0 grams	0 grams	0 grams	0 grams
Fat	6.2 grams	5.7 grams	1.7 grams	2.5 grams

All types of chicken are not created equally. Some are very healthy, providing all the goodness of it whereas some are not good for heath, including fried and breaded varieties like chicken nuggets, popcorn chicken, and chicken tenders are typically high in unhealthy fats, carbs, and calories. According to some research, it was suggested that intake of highly processed meat can increase the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Lunch meats are an example of highly processed chicken. In addition, processed meats can contain high amounts of sodium and preservatives, like nitrites. Reducing sodium intake can help reduce the blood pressure levels in people with high blood pressure. Some studies also reported that preservatives, like nitrites, can lead to the formation of carcinogenic compounds.

Some healthy preparations of chicken are grilled chicken, baked chicken, and stir fried chicken. Unhealthy preparations of chicken are fried chicken, rotisserie chicken, and chicken lunch meat.