What Nutrients Can You Get From Fried Chicken? Quick Look
Many people love fried chicken, but do you know what nutrients it can provide for your body? Let’s take a look!
What Nutrients Can You Get From Fried Chicken?
Fried chicken is made from chicken meat and provides the following nutrients:
Protein:
Chicken is naturally a high-protein food. When made into fried chicken, every 100 grams of fried chicken contains about 20 grams of protein. This helps to supply the body with essential nutrients, maintain normal physiological functions, repair tissues, and boost immunity.
Fat:
Chicken contains a certain amount of fat, and during the frying process, it absorbs additional oil. In reasonable amounts, fat provides the body with energy and helps maintain the normal structure and function of cells. However, excessive consumption of fat may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Minerals:
Chicken is rich in minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, and iron. Potassium plays an important role in maintaining heart function and regulating blood pressure; phosphorus is vital for bones and teeth; iron is essential for synthesizing hemoglobin and can help prevent iron deficiency anemia.
Vitamins:
Fried chicken is rich in B vitamins, including B6 and B12. B vitamins are crucial for metabolism and nerve function. Vitamin B6 helps in the normal metabolism of protein and fat, while Vitamin B12 is important for maintaining the health of the nervous system and the formation of red blood cells.
What Nutrients Are Lost When Frying Chicken?
Although chicken is highly nutritious, the frying process can lead to some nutrient loss. Here’s how:
Vitamins: High-temperature frying can destroy vitamins such as B1 and B2, causing their levels to decrease significantly.
Protein: The protein content in chicken may also be affected because high heat can cause proteins to denature, making them harder for the body to absorb.
Fats: The unsaturated fats in chicken can break down and oxidize at high temperatures. Prolonged frying can also create harmful substances such as acrolein and trans fats, which not only reduce the nutritional value of fats but may have adverse health effects.
Moisture: The high heat in frying causes a significant loss of moisture in the chicken, which can make it dry and tough. Additionally, fried chicken absorbs a lot of oil, increasing the calorie and fat content.
Is Fried Chicken a High-Fat Food?
Yes, fried chicken is considered a high-fat food. According to nutritional information, the fat content in 100 grams of fried chicken ranges from 11 grams to 18.8 grams, which is relatively high.
This is primarily because chicken absorbs a large amount of oil during frying, resulting in a significant increase in fat content.
Additionally, fried chicken is high in calories, with 100 grams containing approximately 220 to 297 calories.
Therefore, it’s recommended to control the amount of fried chicken consumed to avoid overeating, which could lead to obesity or put added strain on your digestive system.
Can You Still Get Protein From Fried Chicken?
Although some protein is lost during the high-temperature frying process, it’s clear that you can still get protein from fried chicken.
According to the nutritional information, 100 grams of fried chicken contains around 15.59 grams to 21.1 grams of protein.
While the frying process does add some oil, it doesn’t destroy the protein structure, so you can still absorb the protein from fried chicken.
However, because fried chicken is high in calories and fat, it’s important to enjoy it in moderation, especially if you're trying to control your fat intake. For a healthier option, you can choose skinless chicken or opt for baked chicken instead of fried chicken to retain more protein while reducing unnecessary fats.
Does Fried Chicken Cause Bloating?
Fried chicken may not specifically cause bloating, but it’s important to note that fried foods in general can be harder to digest for some people.
The oil used in frying can also contribute to an increase in stomach discomfort if consumed in excess.
If you're prone to bloating, consider consuming fried chicken in moderation or replacing it with grilled or baked chicken.
Is Fried Chicken Harmful to You?
Frying itself does present some health risks. Fried chicken is a high-fat, high-calorie food, and consuming it regularly in large quantities can lead to obesity, high cholesterol, and fatty liver issues.
That said, eating fried chicken occasionally doesn’t necessarily pose harm. The key is how often and how much you eat.
If you indulge in fried chicken once in a while, it won’t have a significant impact on your health.
However, consuming it in large amounts or frequently can lead to health problems.
In conclusion, eating fried chicken as a treat every now and then is fine, but it shouldn't be an everyday habit.
If you love it, consider pairing it with vegetables and fruits to reduce any negative health effects.
