Bring National Chicken Month to a Close with 5 Lunch Ideas for Healthier Wings
Posted by Amelia K. on Monday, September 29th, 2014 with Comments Off on Bring National Chicken Month to a Close with 5 Lunch Ideas for Healthier Wings Comments
September is just winding down, but don’t worry, there’s still time for you to celebrate National Chicken Month! While you might not have realized that this was the month to celebrate all meals made with chicken, we bet you’ve already had a fair share of poultry in the last 30 days. For the first time in 100 years, chicken is more popular than beef in America. And while this food trend is partially attributable to the higher cost of red meat these days, it’s also due to an increase in health consciousness around the United States.
Eating more chicken has some pretty awesome health benefits. Not only is chicken high in protein (one four ounce breast has over 35 grams!), it’s also much lower in cholesterol and saturated fat than it’s red meat counterparts — meaning chicken is much better for your heart health than steak or a burger. And this means it’s definitely okay to eat more of that all time American favorite: chicken wings!
Grilled chicken wings are a great way to cut down on the fat while still enjoying this American favorite.
Photo Credit: Flickr user avlxyz
But many chicken wings are battered and fried – so how can you still get a tasty wing fix for your lunch without wasting half your calories for the day? Here are five ideas to get you started.
Opt for grilled
Requesting that your wings are grilled instead of fried immediately eliminates a lot of the fat from your meal — and can cut about ⅓ of the calories from your plate. Since grilled wings still have a lot of flavor, you won’t be missing out on the taste you’re craving!
Ask for skinless
With more and more Americans looking for healthier meal options, many restaurants are offering “skinny” wings. By asking for skinless wings — and still getting your favorite sauce — you’ll find a delicious lunch that isn’t as packed with empty calories. In fact, you’ll save about 60 calories per wing by ordering a skinless, grilled version of the original favorite.
Skip the blue cheese
The blue cheese dressing that we all love to dip our wings in sure is tasty, but it’s also loaded with fat and calories that you could easily replace. One tablespoon of blue cheese dressing contains about 71 calories and 8 grams of fat – while many barbeque sauces have about 20 calories for the same serving size. To keep your meal packed with flavor, just ask for an extra side of your favorite BBQ sauce — and save yourself a little regret when you’re ready for your afternoon snack.
Try a baked option
To skip some of the grease, try your favorite wings baked instead of fried. Even if the wings are breaded, you’ll end up with a much healthier meal by skipping the excess oil and butter on your plate. While you’re at it, throw in a unique sauce flavor — like a thai curry or sweet teriyaki glaze. Offering a new twist on this old favorite is a great way to keep your tastebuds guessing.
Get a side salad
When all else fails, and you just need to order a regular plate of chicken wings, it’s ok to indulge. Just make sure that you’re eating a balanced meal. Ordering a side salad can help round out your lunch — and help you to ensure that you don’t scarf down a plateful in one sitting — sabotaging your dietary goals for the day.
Staying healthy
Finding ways to make traditional lunchtime favorites a little lighter is a great way to integrate a healthier lifestyle into your workday. And when you want a full-fat treat, you can easily balance it out with a super healthy, vitamin-packed salad to compliment your indulgence.
When you’re ready to order a delicious lunch — like some healthier chicken wings to celebrate National Chicken Month — Waiter.com is here to help. Use our handy ordering service to save yourself time, and to access menus outside of your walking radius. We’ll have your lunch delivered right to your door!
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