This ready-made roasted chicken is a favorite of nutrition experts, and for good reason. Itâs packed with protein. That can help you stay full and fend off hunger. For a quick and easy meal, serve it with brown rice or roasted potatoes and veggies. Or use the meat in salads, sandwiches, soups, or tacos.
Sure, chicken is a lean source of protein. But this version is coated with breading and fried in oil. The result: Each piece packs in more calories and fat than a typical cheeseburger. Plus, a diet high in the greasy stuff can take a toll on your health. Research shows that eating fried food 4 to 6 times a week can raise your risk of heart disease by 23% and type 2 diabetes by 39%.
Head to the soup station to scoop up a filling meal — research shows that soup can help fend off hunger. Choose one thatâs made with broth, protein, and vegetables. Chicken noodle, minestrone, black bean, and chili are good options. Steer clear of cream-based soups, such as chowders and bisques. Theyâre often high in calories.
Best: Low-Sodium Turkey Breast
Any way you slice it, this deli meat is a smart choice. Layer three slices on a sandwich, and youâll get 18 grams of protein for fewer than 100 calories. Just check that you go with the low-sodium version. Deli meats are often loaded with the salty stuff. One serving of regular turkey delivers nearly a third of all the sodium you should get in a day.
You can see the white flecks of fat, so it should come as no surprise that this isnât a lean meat. Each slice of this cured sausage has 68 calories and 6 grams of fat –Â 4 times the amount in roast beef. And salami is highly processed. The World Health Organization has linked processed red meat like this to higher odds of cancer.
Bologna and mustard is a lunchbox classic, but it isnât the healthiest option. Made from a mix of cured beef and pork, bologna is loaded with fat. It packs in 6Â times the fat — and about 3Â times the calories — of regular deli ham. A 3-ounce serving also delivers more than 40% of all the sodium you should get in a day. For a leaner sandwich, go with low-sodium chicken, turkey, ham, or roast beef.
Best: Bean or Lentil Salad
Three-bean, lentil, black bean, or chickpea? Take your pick. Theyâre all low in fat and high in fiber. That can help fill you up — and even slim you down. One study found that people who ate a serving of beans daily as part of a weight loss plan shed more pounds than those who didnât. Plus, beans are a top source of disease-fighting antioxidants.
Give this garnish more real estate on your plate. The main ingredient is cabbage, which is high in bone-building vitamin K. It also has compounds that protect against cancer called isothiocyanates. For the healthiest pick, order one made with a vinegar-based dressing instead the creamy kind. Youâll save yourself fat and calories.
Salads are often a nutritional slam dunk, but this version is made with iceberg lettuce, which has fewer vitamins than other leafy greens. Then itâs layered with high-fat cheese and bacon. Thatâs all tossed with a dressing made with mayonnaise and sugar. To turn over a healthier leaf, look for salads made mostly of veggies and only a small amount of high-calorie toppings, like cheese and croutons.
Take a trip to the olive bar. These little fruits are proof that good things come in small packages. Theyâre high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, along with vitamin E. Have them as a snack, or toss them into a pasta or salad. Just stick to one portion. Olives can be high in sodium.
CONSUMER REPORTS: Is rotisserie chicken healthy?
Is rotisserie chicken healthy?
Therefore, rotisserie chicken is a much healthier choice. Also, you can easily manage your calorie, fat, and protein intake by choosing either light or dark meat and choosing whether to eat the skin. Rotisserie chicken is inexpensive, convenient, and much healthier than some similar alternatives, such as fast-food fried chicken.
Is chicken good for health?
Yes, chicken is good for health. Chicken is filled with high quality proteins and does not contain much fat – especially if you eat lean cuts. Beyond its rich protein content, chicken also contains vitamin B12, tryptophan, choline, zinc, iron and copper. Chicken is rich in a variety of important nutrients including niacin, selenium and phosphorus. Adding chicken to your diet may help support weight loss, muscle growth and bone health. Selenium is a trace mineral that’s necessary for proper immune function, thyroid health and fertility.
What is the healthiest deli meat?
If you’re looking for the healthiest deli meat, consider sliced turkey breast, which is low in calories, fat and sodium. Calories: Eating more calories than you’re able to burn off through physical activity and exercise will lead to weight gain and excess body fat, according to the USDA.
Is deli meat healthy?
The sliced-to-order meat you get at the deli counter can be a healthier option, but still contains more sodium than anything you’d make yourself. If making your own cold cuts isn’t in the cards for you, stick with fresh-cut, low-sodium, lean cuts of meat.