Ditch The Fried Chicken.

Chicken on its own can be a healthy source of lean protein. It is much more beneficial than red meat, which tends to be loaded with antibiotics and causes inflammation that raises your risk of heart disease. Plus, red meat is full of saturated fat, unlike chicken and other forms of poultry. But according to WebMD, you can negate all of the health benefits of chicken by deep-frying it. Frying chicken adds unnecessary fats and not good heart-healthy fats, either. One effect is elevated triglycerides, which harm your heart health. The added calories can quickly lead to weight gain, increasing your risk of heart disease, especially when that extra fat is in your abdominal area.

Suppose you want your chicken to be crispy. Try breading it and then baking it. Alternatively, you can start trying baked chicken, which can get a nice, crispy skin and be used in many different recipes. Many restaurants now offer grilled or roasted chicken strips instead of fried ones if you are going out to eat. If your kids (or you!) enjoy eating chicken nuggets or chicken strips, make sure you bake them in the oven instead of frying them. You will enjoy eating crispy chicken, but with the lean protein your heart needs and without the adverse health effects of deep-frying.