How bad is Popeyes fried chicken for you? The nutritional values and calories of Popeyes fried chicken might scare you off. However, these numbers mostly depend on the preparation method and ingredients. after all, unprocessed food can be one of the healthiest diet options.
You don’t want to know about those nutrients? Then let’s take a look at other concerns first. The Popeyes Menu includes various fried foods like chicken, potato wedges, and shrimp. These options are high in calories and fat, so it’s better to avoid losing weight.
A few side dishes like coleslaw salad or green beans can be a healthier choice. Cheesy sides & biscuits, flavored rice, and mashed potatoes are not good for the waistline.
The most recommended dishes on this menu are chicken strips, wings, and chicken sandwiches. These items come with less fat and calories than fried options. Regarding the taste, Popeyes ranks somewhere in the middle of all fast-food restaurants.
How bad is Popeyes fried chicken for you?
As mentioned above, it’s not the healthiest option on the menu. However, you can still enjoy some tasty fried chicken by choosing a healthier preparation method and ingredients.
For example, broiled or grilled meats will lower the calorie count and fat content while adding healthy nutrients.
There are many bad effects on your health if you eat Popeyes fried chicken too much. Dieticians recommend limiting the intake of fried foods because they are high in fat and calories.
If you eat this dish once a week, there is no serious reason to be worried. However, suppose you start eating Popeyes fried chicken every day. In that case, it might cause some health problems because your body doesn’t have enough time to rest.
The sodium content in fried chicken is another reason for health concerns. The recommended daily sodium intake is 2300 mg, which means that you can eat one serving of Popeyes chicken per day.
How bad is Popeyes fried chicken for you If You have Diabetics?
If you have diabetes, you should pay attention to the ingredients of this dish too. The chicken is breaded and fried, which increases the calorie count and carbohydrate content.
You can avoid additional carbs if you order a side dish like green beans or coleslaw salad instead of mashed potatoes or rice.
Many customers are concerned about sugar because some Popeyes sauces like barbecue and honey mustard contain high amounts of sugar.
You can enjoy your chicken without any sauce and choose a healthier dressing on the side if you want to increase the nutrition value of this dish.
How bad is Popeyes fried chicken for you During Pregnancy?
During Pregnancy, you should be more careful about your food ingredients because it can affect both health and taste.
The nutrition values in the fried chicken are not good for the baby. However, there is no need to stop eating this dish if you like it. You should limit the intake if possible or avoid this type of meat completely during Pregnancy at least.
The nutrition value in Popeyes chicken with side dishes is not good for pregnant women too. During the period of expecting, a healthier choice is grilled or broiled meat with a salad or green beans on the side.
How bad is Popeyes fried chicken for you if You are a Vegetarian?
If you are a vegetarian, it’s fine to enjoy Popeyes fried chicken once in a while. The preparation method is the only thing you should pay attention to.
Don’t order this dish if you want to avoid meat ingredients completely or choose fish instead of chicken.
How bad is Popeyes fried chicken for you during Breastfeeding?
If You are Breastfeeding, Then Just Limit The Intake. Popeyes fried chicken is not a very healthy choice for breastfeeding women because it increases breast milk’s calorie and fat content. Don’t eat this dish too often or limit intake if possible.
During Breastfeeding, a healthier choice is grilled or broiled meat without breading along with green beans, coleslaw salad, or any other vegetable side dish.
Popeyes fried chicken nutrition facts
A single breast piece of Popeyes fried chicken is between 300-380 calories with 26 grams of fat, 280 mg of sodium, and 11 carbs.
The dish contains partially hydrogenated soybean oil, which means that it has trans fats. It’s better to avoid this type of food if you want to improve your health.
Chicken with a side dish of green beans or Mashed potatoes is still a good choice even if it has some calories and fat content.
Can You eat Popeyes fried chicken as a meal replacement?
No, it’s not possible because this dish has too many calories and fat content to lose weight.
If you are trying to lose some weight, I recommend focusing on the following foods instead of fried chicken which doesn’t help in achieving your goals-
Lean Protein Sources –
These types of food are high in protein but low in calories and fat content. You can eat fish, eggs, lean meat, or poultry for this meal.
Eating more protein is the best way to lose weight if you don’t eat too many carbs because it makes you feel full for longer and limits cravings.
Fruits and Vegetables –
The composition of fruits and vegetables provides health benefits but low calories as well. You can choose apples, oranges, carrots, leafy greens, and mixed vegetables for this meal.
Fats and Carbs –
These types of food increase the calories and carbs content in your body, but they are healthy and can help you lose weight if you eat them moderately. You can add avocado, brown rice, whole wheat bread, or fruits to your menu.
The Bottom Line
The nutritional value of Popeyes fried chicken is not the best for your health because this type of meat has high cholesterol. You can avoid additional carbs by limiting rice, corn, flour tortilla, and other starchy side dishes.
If you want to improve your health and stay fit, then Popeyes fried chicken is not the best choice for many reasons.
