Table of Contents
- Are fried wings bad for you?
- What are fried wings?
- 10 Factors that determine whether fried wings are bad for you or not!
- Can chicken wings be healthy?
- Conclusion
Are fried wings bad for you?
Fried wings are a delicious treat, but they aren’t very healthy. Are fried wings bad for you? Let’s find out!
Some people might think that anything deep-fried is automatically unhealthy, and while it may be true in some cases, this isn’t always the case.
It just depends on numerous factors whether the fried wings are bad for you or not.
The calorie content of fried chicken wings can vary widely based on how they’re prepared and what type of oil was used to fry them. This blog post will outline all the important facts about chicken wings and their nutritional value so you’ll know whether or not it’s okay to eat them when craving something crunchy and savory!
Read More: Does Hardee’s have fried chicken?
What are fried wings?
But what are fried wings? Well, fried wings are simply wings that are fried in oil typically at around 375 degrees Fahrenheit. They are usually seasoned with some sort of salt or spice, and sometimes both.
They are made from thin drumettes, wingettes, and flaps that are cut from the chicken while being separated into three different sections. Because there are so many small pieces of meat on a single chicken, it is easy to fry them in batches without overcooking one part while leaving another undercooked.
10 Factors that determine whether fried wings are bad for you or not!
Oil being used
This is the most obvious factor. The oil is used in the frying process definitely has an effect on the health of the fried wings.
You want to use high-heat cooking oil with a smoke point in excess of 375 degrees Fahrenheit since this is how hot they’ll need to be for them to cook thoroughly and prevent bacterial growth under normal conditions.
Therefore, oils that are high in monounsaturated fats are best for frying, since these oils have high smoke points and low levels of polyunsaturated fat.
Monounsaturated fats are also considered to be healthy, so using this type of oil will give your fried wings a nutritional edge. The most popular oils used for frying are canola oil, vegetable oil, peanut oil, avocado oil, and palm oil.
Chicken health
Another very important factor to consider when determining how healthy fried wings are is the health of the chicken. The healthier and fattier the chicken, the more unhealthy it will be for you if it’s deep-fried.
This doesn’t mean that only sickly chickens should be used for frying, since this can affect both your health and taste preferences.
Cleaning the meat
The health benefits of fried wings hugely depend upon how well the meat has been cleaned and washed before the frying process. If the chicken meat is not cleaned thoroughly before being fried, there is a chance it can contain salmonella and other bacteria that may be harmful to your health.
Therefore, if you’re eating elsewhere instead of cooking them at home, it’s best to ask for your wings to be clean and washed before they’re fried for your consumption.
Remove the skin before cooking
But if your favorite recipe is only available with a chicken that isn’t as healthy, then you can still make it healthier by removing the skin before cooking so you won’t be consuming unnecessary fat.
Removing it before frying is an easy way to reduce fat and calorie content per serving, so you’ll be able to eat more with no problem!
Sauce type
The sauce is used can also affect how healthy fried wings are for you. A sauce with fewer calories and more natural flavors will be healthier than a sauce that is higher in sugar or fat.
Sauces like barbecue sauce, honey mustard, and teriyaki sauce usually contain high levels of sugars and/or fats which can add up if this is added to the equation.
Also, deep-fried wings covered heavily in the sauce will be more calorie and fat-dense than ones that aren’t fully coated with sauce, which is why keeping the sauce light may be a good idea for your health!
Frying method
Another important factor to consider is the frying method. There are two main methods used when cooking fried wings.
The first method involves deep-frying the wings in oil outside of the chicken, while the second uses a technique called sous vide, which cooks the chicken by sealing it inside of an airtight plastic bag and submerging it into hot water.
Deep-frying can make fried wings taste extra crispy, but it also makes them more calorie and fat-dense due to the excess oil used. It’s up to you if you’d rather have a crunchier wing with fat or one that is lighter but doesn’t have as much crisp to it.
Sous vide is a healthier frying method because it involves cooking the chicken in oil but only requiring small amounts to be added.
Frying temperature
The temperature that the chicken is fried at can also affect how healthy the fried wings are. A lower temperature means that the chicken will cook for much longer, which can actually cause its own problems. When chicken cooks too long at too low of a temperature, the resulting chicken will be overcooked, dry, and unappetizing.
On the other hand, frying at too high of a temperature can result in an undercooked center. It’s best to go for a medium-high heat that will allow the wings to cook thoroughly without becoming dried out.
Seasoning
Never forget that seasonings matter a lot when it comes to determining how healthy a fried wing is. Just a little bit of salt and pepper can add some flavor without any problems, but going overboard with spices or using sauces that are high in sodium will make the wings more unhealthy.
This means that you’ll need to use restraint when seasoning them on your own, and ideally, choose a healthier sauce when you go to purchase them.
Meat freshness
Another very important factor to consider is how fresh the meat used for frying is. The fresher it is, the healthier it will be because there will be fewer oils and other substances that can make fried wings unhealthy.
It also means that you should check expiration dates regularly and buy them before they get worse.
Trans fats
There’s one more thing to keep in mind when deciding how healthy fried wings are: all frying processes involve introducing trans-fats into the oil.
Trans fats tend to raise your cholesterol levels, which isn’t good for your heart, so you may want to cook with healthier oils instead of using deep fryers if possible.
Read More: How much does a fried chicken wing weigh?
Can chicken wings be healthy?
As mentioned earlier, the effect of chicken on your health depends on numerous factors. So, yes chicken wings can be healthy.
Following are some reasons why they can be healthy for you:
Protein source
They are a great source of protein. If you are conscious about your cholesterol levels or weight, then these wings can be an excellent choice for you.
They are low in calories with only 190 calories per 100g serving. You can make tasty chicken wings at home by following some easy and healthy recipes.
Therapeutic effect
Chicken wings can be considered a therapeutic food. Soaking dry or stale wings in water overnight and then frying them with spices and salt makes them delicious and nutritious.
This process will remove the dryness of chicken and soak up all the nutrients from the water, which will make your wings very healthy and tasty too.
Increases blood hemoglobin
Chicken wings are a great source of protein, which is necessary for the formation of new cells. Iron present in chicken will increase blood hemoglobin levels and improve your general health condition.
However, one must keep in mind that even if there have been certain positive effects claimed from eating fried chicken wings, they should not be consumed on a daily basis.
Strengthen immunity system
Chicken is a great source of zinc, which has many beneficial health effects. This mineral is known to strengthen the immune system and increase resistance to infections.
Helps neurological disorders
Studies have shown that chicken wings are also helpful for diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc. Chicken contains choline, which can reduce the risk of getting these diseases to a great extent. They are effective in improving memory and proper utilization of enzymes to fight against neurological disorders.
Conclusion
Thus it can be concluded that fried wings may not be bad and chicken wings are healthy for you especially if you restrict their intake to once or twice a week. This food does have many health benefits, but only in small amounts because they are high in calories too. So, if you eat them for dinner time then skip the desserts!
Read More: Do chilis have chicken fried steak?
