Chicken is a familiar staple on the dinner table, but how much do you really know about your favorite meat?
Chicken and waffles, deep-fried chicken, and tenders are also delicious. Yet, chicken isn’t just on your favorite fast-food menu, either. Poultry is packed with health benefits!
So, pull up a chair and grab a plate. Here are five surprising health benefits of chicken, including yummy (and healthy) chicken recipes.
1. An Essential Source of Protein
The first (and most obvious) benefit of eating chicken is protein intake. There are nearly 40 grams of protein in one cup of chopped-up chicken.
All poultry, including eggs, are rich sources of protein. You can also pair chicken with beans, grains, almonds, and cheese for a real protein bomb!
Start these high-protein chicken recipes:
- Grilled chicken and black bean burrito (with cheese!)
- Lean chicken taco salad with kidney beans and bacon bits
- Chicken, tomato, and avocado lettuce wrap
- Chicken salad in lettuce cups
- Seasoned chicken bites (without the skin)
The recipes above are big hits with kids and families. However, you may need to sprinkle chicken on pizza, quesadillas, and mac n’ cheese to win over picky eaters.
2. Enjoy Healthy, Strong Bones and Muscles
Make room on the fridge, milk. Chicken is also proven to improve bone mass and fight against debilitating osteoporosis. Thus, eating more chicken decreases the likelihood of bone fractures, breaks, and other injuries.
Stronger bones lower injury risk, but you also need healthy muscles to match. Fortunately, chicken is packed with muscle-building amino acids.
Thus, high chicken intake helps prevent the following muscle-related problems:
- Torn ligaments
- Achilles heel injuries
- Rotator cuff issues
- Back pain
- Knee joint conditions
Remember to pair your healthy chicken diet with a consistent exercise regimen. Remain as motivated as possible. Bone density and muscle mass naturally decrease as you age. Thus, it’s essential to get your daily intake of protein.
3. Uplift Your Mood
Do you feel happier after eating your favorite fried chicken or chicken tender sandwich?
That mood boost may be the result of tryptophan. This naturally-occurring amino acid has been shown to improve serotonin levels. Serotonin is the hormone that tells the brain to feel good.
4. Give Yourself a Nutrition Makeover
Improving your overall nutrition helps maintain a better mood, as well.
Along with tryptophan, chicken breasts are packed with the following vitamins and minerals:
- Copper
- Zinc
- Vitamin B-12
- Choline
- Iron
Eating chicken daily helps prevent vitamin deficiencies, fatigue, and brain fog. Of course, you should always pair your chicken with fresh leafy greens and grains.
The quality of the chicken itself matters immensely too. Before putting your chef’s apron on, see here for nutritional facts about chicken to ensure you’re buying the healthiest poultry.
Don’t Ignore the Health Benefits of Chicken
Chicken is more than an after-work snack or a greasy fast-food meal. Your favorite meat is packed with healthy vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and more. Check out the recipes in this article and change how you look at the health benefits of chicken!
Don’t forget. The blog is also packed with surprising facts.