Again, this is because most rotisserie chickens contain an “injection solution” of sugars, sodium, and other processed ingredients. Because they are injected into the meat, these additives, salts, and sugars are distributed throughout the chicken—so you can't avoid them by not eating the skin.
Even though we love the taste and ease of rotisserie chicken, it doesn't come without its possible side effects. One major side effect of eating rotisserie chicken is that you might consume more sodium than usual, which could lead to spikes in your blood pressure or water retention.
Rotisserie chicken is relatively high in saturated fat. This harmful fat raises low-density lipoprotein, or LDL cholesterol, further increasing your risk of heart disease. No more than 10 percent of your total calories should come from saturated fat, according to MayoClinic.com.
Rotisserie chicken is much lower in calories due to being oven-roasted.
The Winner: Poaching
"The healthiest way to cook chicken is to poach it," Lewis explains, "because you aren't introducing any other ingredient to the chicken other than the water it is boiled in." Similar to the way you'd poach an egg, all you'll need is the chicken you're using and some hot water.
If you have high cholesterol, you should talk with your doctor about what you eat, including meat. There are good, lean choices. For example, you can consider chicken or turkey breasts without skin; pork tenderloin; or beef round, sirloin, or tenderloin. Avoid highly processed meats (bacon, ham, lunchmeat, etc.).
"It can take time, but eventually our bodies would become deficient in the vitamins and minerals not present in chicken." If you eat only chicken for long enough, you would become so depleted in vitamin C, for instance, that you could run the risk of developing scurvy, Meshulam says.
The truth is, chicken by nature has lower cholesterol than any other cut, and lower fat than most cuts. The part of the chicken used for cooking and the method of preparation will determine its cholesterol raising effects. The breast of a chicken has the least cholesterol, followed by the thighs, wings, and legs.
Rotisserie chicken
Though this is a quick, delicious dinner option it can put you at risk for heart damage. Rotisserie chicken is loaded with sodium and saturated fats. Regular consumption of saturated fats is one of the most common causes of heart failure and cardiac disease.
And when you consume saturated fat in excess, it can raise your “bad” LDL cholesterol levels, which may increase your risk of heart disease. To combat these not-so-healthy factors, opt for skinless rotisserie chicken (aka "naked" chicken) whenever possible, or remove the skin before eating.
Rotisserie chicken lasts for up to four days if cooked and stored correctly. Keep the chicken in an airtight container or Zip-loc bag, and do not consume leftover chicken if left at room temperature for an extended time.
"Rotisserie chicken is a healthy choice for people that want a lean source of protein but either don't have the time, interest or skill to cook. It's a low-fat cooking method and the chicken can be used in a variety of ways," says Lisa Andrews, M. Ed., RD, LD, owner of Sound Bites Nutrition.
Chicken products contain cholesterol, carcinogens, and contaminants. Cholesterol, carcinogens, pathogens, and even feces found in chicken products increase the risk of heart disease, breast and prostate cancers, urinary tract infections, and foodborne illness.
Rotisserie chickens are also a loss leader according to retailers such as Rowe Farms. This means grocers actually lose money on them, and sell them below cost as a way to get customers into stores to ostensibly buy more items.
But in a rotisserie oven, chickens are placed on spits or skewers, and are constantly rotated against an open heat source, so everything is cooked intensely but evenly. Fats melt and collagens break down everywhere, keeping meat tender and juicy.
It is acceptable to have chicken on a regular basis if it is cooked in a healthy manner. You'll likely lose weight if you eat chicken every day instead of more calorie-dense items like fattier meats and processed foods, and avoid eating a lot of average carbohydrates.
Skinless, lean, and ground chicken or turkey breast are good low-cholesterol choices. 100g of lean cuts of turkey breast contain around 104mg of cholesterol. While this seems like a lot, it only has 3g of saturated fat. 100g of skinless chicken breast contains 73mg of cholesterol and 0.5g of saturated fat.
Does Rice Increase Cholesterol Levels? While rice does not contain any cholesterol in it, eating too much rice has been known to have an effect on the body by increasing cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
The worst foods for high cholesterol, given their high saturated fat content, include: Red meat, like beef, pork, and lamb, as well as processed meats like sausage. Full-fat dairy, like cream, whole milk, and butter. Baked goods and sweets.
Lungs and stomach. The lungs and the stomach and even the first part of the gizzard are unhealthy for the same reason given above. The entire alimentary canal may contain toxins and some microorganisms that are not good for your health.
Boiled birds retain more of their iron, folate and vitamin E than roasted chickens. The nutrients lost through simmering aren't necessarily gone forever, either. Most are simply transferred to your cooking liquid, and you'll still benefit from them -- especially those B vitamins -- if you eat the broth.