The Chicken Cheat Sheet

Get the facts on poultry labels, ready-to-eat meat, and more.

The Chicken Cheat Sheet

Navigating the poultry section of the grocery store can oftentimes feel like a herculean task. Between all the varieties of meat and the text-heavy labels, trying to make a healthy choice for your family can seem overwhelming. With the help of investigative food journalist Mark Schatzker, you can separate fact from fiction once and for all. Read on to find out which labels are worth paying attention to, which ones you can disregard, and which ready-to-eat chicken is better off left out of your shopping cart.

More: The Chicken Buyer's Guide

Grilled Chicken Breast Strips

Grilled Chicken Breast Strips

Ready-to-eat chicken may sound appealing at first glance, as the ease and convenience make it almost too hard to pass up, but be sure to scrutinize the label. As Mark Schatzker points out, ready-to-eat grilled chicken strips are often saturated with salt, oils, sugar, and fake smoke and grill flavors. He recommends just grilling up some chicken over the weekend and storing it so you have an easy and healthy choice at the ready.

Is Your Stomach Cramp Actually Diverticulitis?

It may not just be indigestion.

We've all been there — we get a cramp in our stomach, maybe with some nausea or constipation. It's easy to think it may just be indigestion. But what if it's something more serious like diverticulitis? That's a condition of inflammation or infection in one or more small pouches that can form in your digestive tract. Here's how to tell the difference between the pain and how to know when you should see a doctor.