Chicken breasts - nutritional values. Is chicken meat he althy?

Chicken meat contains a lot of easily digestible protein, more than pork and beef. It is easy to digest and provides little fat, therefore it is commonly recommended in nutrition, especially for people with a delicate digestive tract, e.g. children and the elderly.

Chicken meat is recommended for people who have cholesterol control, cardiovascular problems or are slimming. Significant differences in caloric content and fat content in individual parts of the chicken depend on whether you prepare poultry with or without the skin.

The meat itself contains a small amount of fat, and the most fat is found just under the skin. Therefore, for he alth and dietary reasons, it is always worth getting rid of the skin before preparing a dish.

Chicken meat provides B vitamins, especially B3 (niacin) and B6 (pyridoxine). Vitamin B3 can be produced in small amounts in the body from tryptophan (an essential amino acid), but its basic source is food.

It controls the energy processes in the body, participates in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats and in the production of red blood cells, regulates the level of cholesterol, dilates blood vessels, has a positive effect on the nervous system and mental condition, as well as improves the condition of hair and skin .

One average-size chicken breast covers the daily requirement for vitamin B6 even in 85%, and for B3 - in over 100%.

Vitamin B6 participates in the formation of many enzymes and hormones, as well as hemoglobin - therefore it is responsible for the transport of oxygen in the body. It affects blood pressure, heart function, muscle contractions, increases the body's resistance and improves the functioning of the nervous system.

Providing it in adequate amounts relieves the states of apathy, insomnia, depression, improves concentration. It is also recommended in the period of premenstrual tension.

When eating chicken meat, we get a lot of minerals, such as zinc, selenium, magnesium and phosphorus. Zinc is found in about 200 enzymes, it is involved in many life processes, incl. bone mineralization, wound healing, immune system function, insulin secretion, blood pressure and heart regulation.

One baked chicken leg covers the daily zinc requirement for 70%, and one whole breast for 85% selenium.

Selenium is necessary for the proper functioning of many enzymes. It is an element of glutathione peroxidase, i.e. a very strong antioxidant that protects cells against the harmful effects of free radicals, including against the formation of tumors. In addition, it is essential for the proper functioning of the immune system and the thyroid gland, and helps in the fight against depression and fatigue.

Chicken breasts (skinless) - vitamin and mineral content per 100 g

Nutritional value of chicken meat in 100 g

Is it worth eating chicken giblets: liver, stomachs, hearts?

We know chicken is he althy, but what about giblets - liver, stomachs or hearts? Offal has few supporters. Rather, these parts of the poultry are considered cheap meat substitutes. Nothing could be more wrong. They are as nutritious as meat, they play extremely important functions in the animal's organism, so they must be well nourished during their life - hence they contain large amounts of vitamins and minerals. It is popular to say that the liver stores toxins and components that are harmful to the body. This is not entirely true. The role of the liver is to detoxify, i.e. to neutralize and remove toxic substances from the body, and not to accumulate them. If the liver begins to store harmful substances, it means that their concentration throughout the body is very high and they accumulate in other tissues, including muscles.

Poultry liveris a very good source of protein (19 g / 100 g), B vitamins, zinc and iron. 100 g of chicken liver contains as much as 10 mg of iron, while the daily requirement for this ingredient for a man is 12 mg, and for a woman - 18 mg. Due to the large amount of vitamin A, the excess of which is not excreted from the body, liver should not be consumed more than once a week.chicken stomachshave a similar nutritional value, they provide B vitamins, a lot of zinc and magnesium, while hearts are a good source of iron. You shouldn't be afraid of giblets, they can be prepared in many delicious ways and included in the menu as a variety.

How to buy chicken to keep the meat fresh and tasty?

In stores we can get fresh chicken whole or in parts, by weight or vacuum-packed, as well as various chicken products. When buying chicken, pay attention to its color. It should be light pink and slightly shiny, not yellow and dull. The meat should be firm and elastic - it quickly returns to its original shape under the pressure of a finger. Chicken in parts is better to buy in vacuum packaging than in foil-wrapped trays. With vacuum packs, retailers find it more difficult to "refresh" meat, change best before dates, or increase weight by water injection. Also, make sure the packaging inside is dry. If there is water in it, the chicken is old or has been thawed.