It is a common recommendation by nutritionists to remove chicken skin before cooking and eating. It has been long believed that the fatty sections of poultry are bad for you, but lately this has been disputed. So what is the answer to “Is chicken skin bad for you?”

Is Chicken Skin Bad for You?

Actually, if eaten in moderation, chicken skin has many benefits and can be quite healthy for you. Certainly chicken with skin adds calories to your meal but not much. You can also add flavor by cooking chicken with the skin. 

Here are reasons why chicken skin is not bad for you:

1.     The Fat in Chicken Skin Are Mainly Unsaturated

Most fat in chicken skin are unsaturated, which is good for your heart. Although there are also a little saturated fat in chicken skin, it is known that saturated fat can assist in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as regulating hormone. So do not worry about the fat in chicken skin.

2.     The Calories Are Not Much Higher

Is chicken skin bad for you because it contains more calories? Actually, a 12-ounce serving of skin-on chicken with the bone only contains 50 more calories than the same amount of skinless chicken breast. This is great news because you can stop sacrificing the flavor of chicken skin by modifying your calorie intake elsewhere.

3.     It Will Satisfy You

Your appetite needs to be satisfied and remaining the skin on will surely be satisfying. Then you won't crave sweets and other junk foods. As soon as these cravings are under control, you will enjoy your healthier diet.

4.     You Can Cook with Less Salt

When you cook your chicken with the skin on, your dish will have more flavor. Flavorful food requires less salt to make it tasty. So you'll consume less salt than before, which will be beneficial for your heart.

5.     It Helps Prevent the Meat from Absorbing Oil

When you cook chicken at a high temperature, the skin works as a barrier from oil because it will absorb the inside moisture and turn into a crust. In this way it will block excess oil from being absorbed into the poultry meat.

Notes on Eating Chicken Skin

• Eat Chicken Skin Moderately: The reason you should eat chicken skin in moderation is the fact that it is full of omega-6. The fatty acid has been proved to have the effect of increasing inflammation in the body if too much is consumed.

• Do Not Eat Charred Skin: The best way to serve chicken skin is when it is slightly crispy. You should not eat crunchy or charred skin because overcooked chicken skin has little nutritional value and may do harm to your health.

Nutrition Myths

Maybe the idea that causes you to ask “Is chicken skin bad for you” is spurred by the nutrition myth that it is. There are several other food myths that influence our eating habits, which include:

Myth 1: Eggs can make your cholesterol level become higher

The truth of the matter is eggs have very little to do with the dietary cholesterol levels in your system. In fact, dietary cholesterol doesn’t really have much to do with the amount of cholesterol in your bloodstream. Actually it is the saturated fat that affects how much cholesterol your body makes, while eggs contain a very small amount of it. It is healthier to keep eggs in your diet as they are full of minerals and vitamins.

• Myth 2: Red wine is the only heart-friendly alcohol

Actually, all types of wine, beer and liquor offer the same kind of health benefits. Since beneficial antioxidants contained in red wine were discovered by a French scientist, it has been linked to lower heart disease. However, recent studies have discovered evidence that antioxidants are not the nutrients good for heart healthy. It is the alcohol content that raises good cholesterol levels and reduces heart disease.

• Myth 3: The health benefits of olive oil will decrease due to cooking

Olive oils of all varieties can been cooked and won’t lose its nutrition benefits if it is cooked appropriately. Full of good, mono-unsaturated fat, olive oil is often used in high temperature sautés while still retaining its nutritional value. It is flavorful and healthy as long as it is not heated to the oils smoking point. 

• Myth 4: Conventional foods are less nutritious compared to organic foods

Just like you might be wondering: is chicken skin bad for you, you may wonder if organic food is better for you. Research has shown that organic foods are not necessarily more healthy that conventional foods. The main thing to consider when eating conventional produce is to make sure the herbicides and pesticides are removed.