So Cluckin’ GOOD!
Wellness Takes Wing at Woody’s Bar-B-Q
5 Health Benefits of Eating Chicken
A regular fixture on the Woody’s Bar-B-Q menu since we first opened our doors in 1980, our slow-smoked Bar-B-Q chicken is so much more than flavorful…. It’s HEALTHY! Weighing in at 640 calories for our ½ chicken dinner portion, if you remove the skin, you can cut the fat and caloric intake significantly. We also offer a grilled mesquite chicken breast that’s just 200 calories and makes a terrific addition to our tossed salad. Calorie counts aside, chicken offers a variety of health benefits and we’ve picked five of our faves…
- Pump Up Your Protein Intake – According to the S. Department of Agriculture’s FoodData Central, 1 cup of cooked chicken provides 40.5 grams of protein – making it one of the best sources of lean protein. Comprised of a chain of amino acids – the building blocks for muscle growth and an important tool for maintaining muscle mass and bone mineral density – protein is essential to helping your body make new cells and repair old ones. It’s also a great source of energy, helps keep blood sugar levels stable and is an important element to the healthy development of children, adolescents and pregnant women. In addition, protein helps make you feel full – meaning you can eat less which is a great tool for weight management and heart health. On average, women should ingest about 46 grams and men should consume around 56 grams of protein a day.
- Do the Chicken Dance – According to WebMD, one of the amino acids contained in chicken is tryptophan. Tryptophan has been known to help boost the “feel good” hormone in our bodies – serotonin. It might not make you DANCE happy, but it could help improve your mood – particularly if you’re feeling hangry. A cup of cooked chicken also contains .56mg of B6 and .42 micrograms of B12. Vitamin B has also been known to help maintain psychological health, lower anxiety, improve concentration, fend off memory loss, keep energy levels up and boost metabolism.
- Eye Spy Lunch – Rich in Retinol, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Riboflavin, Niacin and Thiamin, the regular consumption of chicken can serve as an effective tool for helping you maintain the health of your eyes against things like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal tears and macular degeneration, as well as night blindness and dry eye.
- Immunity Abundancy – In light of COVID-19, the topic of immunity has never been more important. According to Natural Food Series, chicken can prove a valuable asset in boosting one’s immune system. Packed with Iron, Magnesium and Potassium, when combined, these three nutrients work together to strengthen cells that help you fend off toxins, free radicals and carcinogens that might seek to do you harm. Selenium is another mineral found in chicken that is known to improve one’s immunity response.
- Save the (Wish) Bone – With 255mg of Phosphorus in every cup of cooked chicken, you’re consuming one of the most powerful nutrients for fighting bone loss and keeping your teeth strong. Phosphorus also aids in kidney, liver and central nervous system function, while regulating energy and hormonal levels.
From salads to sandwiches to entrees, chicken is featured prominently on the Woody’s Bar-B-Q menu, making it easy to incorporate it to your diet. To view our menu and list of locations, visit us at www.Woodys.com.
KB 8/29/21
