Background
It's estimated that we started consuming chickens about 2 200 years ago and the first people to bite into a juicy drumstick were from Israel. According to Tastinc, 2.2 million chickens were eaten daily, worldwide, in 2018 alone.
In South Africa we eat chicken 10 times more than beef (by value).
Chicken is good for business too. Research from Business Insider reports that chicken meat accounts for 10% of the country's agricultural sector income.
Given all these statistics, it's interesting to also note how our dietary demands have not led to these birds' extinction. Now why should we continue breeding and eating chickens? Well, it's a healthy relationship...
The nutritional benefits of chicken meat
The most well-known fact about chicken is that it's a good source of protein, the list however gets longer. According to an article by Chicken BRASA, chicken also offers your body the following health benefits:
Useful in weight loss and weight management as it promotes the feeling of fullness.
Rich in B vitamins, vitamin D and minerals.
Has reduced levels of cholesterol in comparison to red meat.
Helps with the control of blood pressure.
It makes you happy. Seriously, chicken is a natural anti-depressant.
Preparation tips
In order to obtain as many of the above mentioned health benefits, it's important to prepare chicken in such a manner that the nutrients are retained.
These are suggested cooking methods :
Grilled
Baked
Stir-fried
The following cooking methods may compromise the nutritional value of chicken:
F.R.I.E.D
Yes, KFC is included.
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