Three Chicken Parts to Skip and Three Parts to Eat Instead (2 of 4)

?Unhealthy Part #2: Chicken Wings

Okay, this one hurtsbecause who doesnt love wings? Theyre practically a cultural experience at this point. Perfect for game day, finger-licking good, and available in every flavor from honey garlic to nuclear hot. But as tasty as they are, chicken wings are one of the least healthy parts of the bird, and not just because of how they’re usually prepared.

Wings have a naturally high fat-to-meat ratio, which means youre getting less lean protein and more fat per bite than you would with, say, a chicken breast. And lets be honesttheyre rarely just baked and plain. Theyre often deep-fried, tossed in sugary or sodium-packed sauces, and served in portions that make it far too easy to overeat.

And because theyre small, we tend to underestimate how much were actually eating. Before you know it, you’ve taken down 12 wings and half a bowl of ranchand consumed more calories and fat than you planned for the entire day.

If you must have wings (because, again, life is short), try baking them, ditching the skin, or using a dry rub instead of a sauce. Youll still get the flavor without quite as much fallout.

?Unhealthy Part #3: Chicken Organs

This ones a bit more niche, but worth mentioning. Chicken organslike the liver, heart, and gizzardsare popular in many cuisines and often praised for being nutrient-dense. And its true: organ meats contain iron, vitamin A, and other essential nutrients. But they also come with some health flags.

For starters, chicken liver is extremely high in vitamin A. While vitamin A is essential, too much of it can lead to toxicity, especially if consumed frequently. Typically, these cuts are high in cholesterol and may harbor traces of environmental toxins the bird has encountered. That, plus the fact that theyre often cooked in heavy gravies or fried, makes them a less ideal choice if youre trying to eat clean.

Enjoy them occasionally if you love the taste or grew up with them as comfort foodbut dont treat them like everyday staples.