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Which is better, white chicken meat or dark chicken meat? What’s the right answer?

There have been numerous debates over whether white meat or dark meat chicken provides more nutritional value. People often assume that white meat is superior, but what is the truth?

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3 March, 2024

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There has been a debate about the health benefits of dark meat chicken versus white meat chicken. Many people believe that white meat is healthier than dark meat, so they often choose to eat chicken breast instead of chicken thighs or legs.

In fact, many people blindly believe in this and always opt for white meat, even though they may not prefer chicken breast over dark meat. People often believe that white meat is better because it contains fewer calories and less fat than dark meat.

1. Benefits of White Meat Chicken and Dark Meat Chicken

According to research, what people often say about white meat chicken is true because, in general, this meat contains fewer calories and less fat than dark meat. Specifically, for a serving size of 85g of chicken meat:

– Chicken thigh with skin: 197 calories, 12.5g fat, 19.8g protein.

– Chicken thigh without skin: 152 calories, 6.93g fat, 21g protein.

– Chicken breast without skin: 133 calories, 2.75g fat, 27.3g protein.

– Chicken breast with skin: 150 calories, 8.05g fat, 18g protein.

But you should also know that having excess fat and calories is not always bad; it depends on each individual’s health goals and needs. However, if you want to monitor your saturated fat intake, white meat is the best choice.

However, compared to white meat, dark meat such as thighs or legs contains higher levels of vitamins and nutrients. According to nutrition experts, dark meat contains more iron, zinc, selenium, and vitamin B. As a result, it is a suitable choice for those trying to increase their iron absorption. Furthermore, dark meat has more zinc, which helps support immune health.

2. Choosing the Right Type of Chicken Meat

In the end, both white meat and dark meat have their own advantages and disadvantages. White meat is a choice for those who want to consume less fat, while dark meat provides more nutrients. However, when eating, you should consider whether to eat the chicken skin or not. You may not pay much attention to this issue, but chicken skin contains mostly fat, and most of it is saturated fat, which significantly increases the calorie content compared to lean protein. This does not mean that you have to always avoid eating the skin, but you need to consider it if you are monitoring your fat intake.

Therefore, when it comes to the benefits of white meat chicken versus dark meat chicken, nutrition experts advise that you should choose what you like and make decisions based on your own health needs.

If you are concerned about fat absorption, it is important to pay attention to how white meat chicken is prepared. If you plan to eat breaded and fried white meat chicken, the fat content will increase. You should opt for grilled chicken breast if you want to keep the fat content at its lowest.

According to Xe và thể thao

Frequently asked questions

According to research, white meat chicken does tend to have lower calorie and fat content than dark meat. For example, a 85g serving of chicken breast without skin contains 133 calories and 2.75g of fat, whereas the same serving of chicken thigh with skin has 197 calories and 12.5g of fat. So, if you’re monitoring your calorie or fat intake, white meat is a better choice.

Absolutely! Dark meat chicken contains higher levels of iron, zinc, selenium, and vitamin B. These nutrients are essential for overall health and can be particularly beneficial for those looking to increase their iron absorption or support their immune system with extra zinc.

Both types of meat have their advantages. If you’re looking to consume less fat, white meat is the way to go. But if you want more nutrients, dark meat provides a good option. Ultimately, nutrition experts advise choosing what you enjoy and making decisions based on your individual health needs and goals.

Yes, preparation methods can impact the fat content of white meat chicken. For instance, breading and frying white meat chicken will increase its fat content. If you want to keep the fat content low, opt for grilled chicken breast instead.