Chicken: am I eating too much?

Question
Dear Laurie,

I eat about 100g of cooked (not fried) chicken everyday - either in a sandwich or salad at lunchtime, or as part of my evening meal. I don't eat any other meat (no red meat or pork), but I do eat fish. I've read lots of articles in the media about how we are all eating too much meat, and I am concerned that eating chicken every day is bad for me?

Thank you

Answer
Hi Daisy,

It sounds like you are having quite a reasonable portion of chicken, and also including fish in your diet. A variety is good for many reasons.

Often when people speak of eating "too much meat" it has a lot to do with portions as well as frequency. You are having 3-1/2 ounces of chicken, but people sometimes do eat 12 oz of steak at one sitting, and even more! Each ounce of meat (usually defined as beef or pork, and classified separately from poultry and seafood)contributes some fat and cholesterol. The more meat eaten, the more saturated fat and cholesterol is ingested. This contributes to heart disease in much of the population, so it's suggested people eat less meat.

I can't think of any 'warnings' against eating 100 grams of chicken every day. Just be sure to include a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains and healthy oils in your diet as well :)

Laurie

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