What is the Chicken only diet?
In this article, we are going to discuss the “Chicken only diet”. I will discuss the nutritional value of the chicken diet and its effects on the body. I will discuss in detail how the chicken diet causes many deficiencies and harmful effects on the body. In addition to that, I will answer if the chicken diet causes weight loss.
What is the Chicken only diet?
The chicken-only diet is a diet that only consists of chicken. The diet provides a good source of protein and B vitamins.
Nutritional value of chicken diet
Chicken provides a good source of protein. 100 grams of chicken skinless contains the following: 158 calories, 32.1 grams of protein, 3.24 grams of fat, 0 grams of carbs, 32 milligrams of magnesium, 241 milligrams of phosphorus, 47 milligrams of sodium, and 116 milligrams of cholesterol.
Chicken is not high in fat in its natural state, it is a kind of meat that is healthy and nutrient-dense. It is rich in B12 vitamin, a vitamin that is essential in the formation of red blood cells. Deficiency of this vitamin would lead to a type of anemia.
Does the chicken-only diet cause weight loss?
Yes, it does cause weight loss. To understand how, eating only chicken for a diet reduces your calorie intake majorly. Staying on the diet for 2 weeks would cause weight loss quickly. It has to be noted that weight loss occurs due to the restrictions on calories you eat per day.
This weight will be more likely to be regained as quickly as it was lost after the diet is stopped. It is not advised to follow the chicken diet. It is unhealthy.
What are some drawbacks of the chicken-only diet?
Deficiencies
The diet is not a healthy balanced diet. It lacks many major vitamins and nutrients. The diet includes only the protein food group, eliminating other food groups. Fruits and vegetables provide some essential nutrients.
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that is lacking in the chicken-only diet. It is essential for the maintenance of the immune system. It helps protect the body from recurring infections and getting sick. Lack of vitamin C in the chicken diet will lead to an increased risk of infections.
The diet also lacks iron which will lead to anemia. Symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and exhaustion would occur.
The diet eliminates the dairy food group which is a major source of calcium. Calcium is essential for bone health. Not enough calcium would lead to an increase in the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. This is due to the decrease in bone density since not enough calcium is consumed.
The diet is so low in fiber as well. Eliminating fruits and vegetables would lead to a reduction in fiber intake majorly. This will lead to constipation. Long-term constipation would lead to hemorrhoids.
The diet provides no probiotics at all. This on top of the low fiber content will lead to poor gut health.
Fried chicken
The diet includes only chicken. There are many ways to cook chicken, the healthiest being boiling, grilling, or broiling. These types of cooking methods reduce oil use. Yet on the diet, you can still have fried chicken. This means you will increase the unhealthy fat in your diet.
Repetitive
The diet is repetitive and monotonous in its nature. Eating the same food daily would lead to boredom. It is hard to maintain for a long period of time.
Such a diet creates unhealthy eating habits as it eliminates all food groups except for protein which will lead to a change in your perspective of food. Think all food groups are bad and should not be consumed.
This is not true, all-natural food is healthy only if eaten in moderation as a part of a balanced meal.
Low energy
The diet does not provide much energy, not many carbs are included in the diet which will make you feel tired and low in energy.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed the “Chicken only diet”.I discussed the nutritional value of the chicken diet and its effects on the body. I discussed in detail how the chicken diet causes many deficiencies and harmful effects on the body. In addition to that, I answered if the chicken diet causes weight loss.
References
Is a Chicken-Only Diet Good for Weight Loss? | livestrong
What Is a Pollotarian Diet? Benefits, Food Lists, and More (healthline.com)
