Chicken nuggets, fried chicken, chicken tenders, wings — the fried meat options are endless. However, even though you're getting more protein in comparison to another fried food like potatoes, you may still be doing your body some harm. According to studies, experts say that eating lots of fried foods can elevate blood pressure and cholesterol, both risk factors for heart disease. Not only that, but you're also significantly increasing your calorie intake by deep-frying your food rather than baking, grilling, or stir-frying it.
It's important to note, though, that the type of oil you fry food in determines how harmful it can be. Frying in olive oil is your best bet if you don't want to bake your meat. Swapping out saturated fats like vegetable oils for unsaturated fats can help keep your cholesterol in check.