Chicken and poultry represent one of the healthiest options when it comes to meat meant for human consumption, as they are rich sources of several nutrients like minerals that our body needs to stay healthy. Besides reducing our carbon footprint, having a chicken-rich diet also comes with many health benefits, which is why many people are starting to follow chicken-based diets. If you are thinking about following such a diet, you might want to keep these tips in mind.
Be Selective with Chicken and Poultry
The very first thing to consider when we want to follow a chicken and poultry-based diet is being selective with the meat we buy. We should always look for lean cuts, those that are lower in fat, like breast with no skin. Also, pay attention to the percentage of lean meat each cut contains, trying to buy only those with 90% or higher. Choosing ground breast meat is another tip we should consider when buying meat, as dark meat with skin will be less healthy than going for chicken or turkey. Lastly, try to avoid buying meat labeled as “Prime”, since that’s the meat that comes with more fat. Instead, go for meat labeled as “Choice” or “Select”.
Be Mindful when Preparing Your Meals
Another important aspect we need to keep in mind when following a chicken-based diet is being mindful when we cook the meat and prepare our meals. Even when we think that we have already chosen the healthiest cuts, preparing them in a healthy way will also make a difference. First of all, trim any fat you might find in your cut, including skin in poultry.
In order to add a touch of flavor that could be gone with the skin, use marinades, herbs, and spices to enrichen the taste of your cut. Also, remember to go low on your cooking methods, and opt for grilling, broiling, roasting, and baking your meat. This will melt away the fat, leaving you with the healthiest cut possible. Draining the fat and watching the serving sizes and portions that we eat will also help us follow a healthy chicken-based diet.
Don’t Forget to Always Eat with Moderation
Whether we are following a particular diet in order to lose weight or to become healthier, or even if we are not following one at all, we should always remember to eat with moderation. It is recommended that we try to consume limited amounts of saturated fat, which is commonly found in animal sources of food, including red meat and poultry. However, choosing lean poultry, fish, and seafood will help us reduce the amount of fat we add to our daily diet. Also, opting to have meatless meals every once in a while is another great way to make sure we have a healthy diet.