Whether it’s coming from seafood or poultry meat, Nigerians don’t joke with proteins from animals. In fact, there’s a high chance you or someone you know is eating poultry meat as you read this post. This article reviews why poultry meat is popular in Nigeria and its health benefits.
The most popular poultry meat in Nigeria
Poultry meat is the edible meat of domesticated birds like turkeys, chickens, and guinea fowl. It’s a staple in Nigeria because of its taste, pigment, leanness, and suitability for traditional soups.
Poultry meat is also called “white meat” because it contains low amounts of myoglobin. Myoglobin is the protein that binds to oxygen in the blood to supply energy. The higher its presence, the brighter the red tone in the meat.
The most popular poultry meats in Nigeria are:
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Duck
- Guinea fowl
- Quail
Health benefits of poultry meat
Besides its delicious taste, poultry meat is nutritious, which partly explains why it’s popular in Nigeria. Here are some of its health benefits.
Rich source of protein
There’s no good health without protein. They repair and build the body’s tissues, regulate fluid balance, and provide antibodies that improve your immune system. Poultry meat, especially chicken and turkey, is a rich source of protein.
For instance, an 85g-chicken contains 50% (24g) of the recommended protein intake (50g) for adults on a 2,000-calorie diet. Besides containing high protein, chicken also has low calories, making it beneficial for losing weight.
Most of the white meat in poultry is in the breast and wing regions—they contain high levels of protein and less fat. In contrast, dark meat—the reddish-brown pigment with high myoglobin—contains slightly less protein. Dark meat is the leg and thigh regions of poultry. Along with the skin, dark meat also contains more fat and calories than white meat.
2. Rich source of omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential—unlike other fats, the body must get them from food sources. They also play a critical role in building the hormones that regulate blood clotting and inflammation, protecting against cardiovascular diseases.
Omega-3 fatty acids also improve brain and eye health, reduce the risk of age-related mental disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, and protect against breast cancer. Chicken, especially the thigh region, contains high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.
3. Rich source of essential nutrients
Poultry meat is rich in vitamins and essential nutrients like zinc, potassium, and selenium. Specifically, turkey contains significant portions of vitamins B3, B6, and B12.
Vitamin B3 (or niacin) acts as an antioxidant that prevents DNA damage. B6 (also known as pyridoxine) boosts brain development during pregnancy and infancy. It also improves the immune system. Like B6, B12 (cobalamin) improves brain function and cognitive abilities. Additionally, it prevents anemia, regulates the creation of DNA, and ensures the formation of red blood cells.
Although you need selenium in small quantities, it significantly improves the metabolism in the body. It’s a powerful antioxidant that protects the body against heart disease and cancer. It also prevents thyroid diseases.
Like omega-3 fatty acids, your body can’t produce zinc, although it needs it for healthy bone formation and optimal skin health. Similarly, potassium is a macromineral that improves bone and muscle maintenance, boosts kidney performance, and prevents high blood pressure.
Which online grocery store sells poultry meat in Nigeria?
Like many food items, poultry meat—especially de-feathered, frozen chicken and turkey—has imported contraband that may put your health at risk. Concerning food safety, where you buy poultry meat influences its quality. But you don’t have to worry about food sources with Pricepally, the online grocery store that delivers fresh food items. This is because we source our food items and meat directly from suppliers and farmers, making them fresher and cheaper than local markets.
Because of us, kiss market stress goodbye—all you need to do is order through the WhatsApp shopping assistant (April), the web, or the mobile app.
Bulk-buying is also part of the convenience you’ll enjoy when you shop on Pricepally. Through Pally, the bulk-buying feature on Pricepally, you can split the prices of poultry meat (and other food items) with your friends or other shoppers.
We deliver your food orders to your doorstep at a time that works for you, or the next day if you live in Lagos. If you reside in Port Harcourt or Abuja, you’ll receive your meat orders the same day, packed with ice to preserve their freshness. Irrespective of your location, the delivery fee is between ₦2,000 and ₦3,000.
The poultry meat varieties available on Pricepally are:
- Frozen turkey
- Chicken (live and frozen). Examples of frozen chicken you can buy:
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