Is eating chicken healthier than eating fish?

Question

I am a vegan and recently discovered I am anemic. My parents will only let me take my Iron pills and nothing else. They are also trying to get me to eat chicken. I agreed to allow fish into my diet but I am very opposed to chicken.

They tell me chicken has what I need as an anemic, does fish not have what chicken has? Whatever that is? Does anyone know anything about fish or chicken? And anemia?

Answer 1

Well I have anemia and I can tell you that if I hadn't been cared for properly I would not have survived childbirth, and even with the care that I had I came extremely close. I do not know what is in the chicken that's not in the fish, but what I do know is that your parents are only wanting what is best for you. Why not trying to allow chicken but only from certain companies, where you know that the chicken is being treated as humanely as possible? I mean, if that is your reason for being a vegan. If it's just because of heath and weight loss and stuff, know that chicken is very healthy for you and a lot healthier than beef.

Answer 2

Both are better for you then fatty meats. However, these days you have to be careful not to over do it with fish because of the high mercury content. If you are pregnant you should avoid eatting swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tile fish as they contain the highest levels of mercury. Don't eat more than 6 ounces of albacore tuna a week.

As for chicken all dark meat chicken is fatty. Stick to boneless skinless chicken its the healthiest.

As for anemia eatting egg yolks, leafy green vegetables, yellow vegetables and fruits, potato skins, tomatoes, molasses and raisins and iron fortified grains and cereals will give you added iron.

Good luck and feel better!!

Answer 3

First be sure that a lack of iron in your diet is the reason for your anemia.
Iron supplements may be prescribed if your stored iron is low. Iron supplements come in various forms: ferrous
sulphate, ferrous fumarate and ferrous gluconate. Iron supplements should only be taken in consultation with a doctor
Since iron is not easily eliminated from the body and too much iron can be toxic.
Iron supplements may cause side effects such as dark colored stools, constipation, or upset stomach. Increasing your
intake of fibre from fruits, vegetables, and whole grain breads and cereals may help you prevent or cope with constipation.
Drinking plenty of fluids will also help. If you are experiencing stomach upset or any other side effects, speak with your
pharmacist. It may also help to switch to a different type of iron supplement to find the one that’s right for
Eating foods high in iron can help prevent iron deficiency anemia. There are two forms of iron in our diets – heme
and non-heme iron. Heme iron is found in meats, liver, poultry and fish and is easy for the body to absorb. Nonheme
iron is found in fortified cereals, eggs, and certain plant foods and is not as easily absorbed. Try to eat at least 2 high iron foods each day.
Other sources
navy beans,
whole wheat
(apricots,
Other sources of heme iron: pork, crab,
halibut, shrimp
IRON CONTENT IN FOODS
HEME IRON Iron (mg) NON-HEME
Here is an idea of the amount of iron in food sources....
Chicken liver (3 oz. or 85 mg) 7.0mg of iron
Oysters (6) 5.6 of iron
Scallops, steamed (7) 2.7mg iron
Beef, tenderloin (3 oz.) 2.5 mg
Beef, lean ground (3.5 oz.) 2.4 mg,
Turkey, dark meat (3 oz.) 2.0 mg
Chicken leg (3 oz.) 1.1mg of iron
You would get a lot of iron if you ate chicken liver vs a chicken breast....otherwise chicken & fish are fairly comparable in iron content....with "good" fish probably even beating out organic chicken.

Answer 4

I believe it actually depends on the way the chicken or fish is cooked. If both are deep fried, they aren't very healthy for you. Your best bet would be to contact your family doctor and ask him for a consultation with a dietitian. They way not only will you know for sure but they can also offer you a few good recipes.

Answer 5

anaemia is mainly caused by lack of iron. if food provides insufficient iron to replace what the body looses, the stores are gradually depleted. eventually, anaemia results. anaemia can also arise from other causes including deficiencies of folic acid and vitamin B12. cures are best effected medically and not nutritionally, for example by the use of iron salts or tablets which can be absorbed im much larger amounts than the iron from food.

iron is most readily absorbed from meat. chicken is low in fat (if you dont eat the skin) oily fish is good for you as it contains omega 3 oil. not sure that either are particularly high in iron. the best thing to do is to eat a healthy balanced diet.

Answer 6

I'm not sure what is anemic, but most vegetarian eat fish and every thing is okay with them, so i think u should take the fish.

Answer 7

Hmm, not sure what chicken has that would prevent anemia, but, if you are talking chicken being baked, or broiled, as opposed to batter fried, then it is healthy, but, I don't know about it being 'healthier.'

Answer 8

to much in the news about "bird flu". I like eating Cod and Perch more than any other kind of fish.

Answer 9

I think fish is healthier, unless it's fried.

Answer 10

you need a balanced diet, both are very good for you all long as you cook them properly, take vitaims, skinless baked chix is good