White meat has long been held up as the pinnacle of healthy and lean protein, but dark meat isn't really so different. And both types of meat can fit in healthy diet, experts tell TODAY.com. The visual differences between white meat and dark meat come down to the amount of myoglobin found in each part of the chicken, Whitney Linsenmeyer, Ph.D., assistant professor at Saint Louis University and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, tells TODAY.com.
In a 100 gram serving of chicken thigh, you'll get: 179 calories25 grams protein0 grams carbohydrates8 grams fat Should you eat white meat or dark meat? If you're looking for a versatile, satisfying, lean source of protein, both white meat and dark meat chicken can be great options. For most of us, the choice between white meat, dark meat or a little of both will come down to taste and texture preferences — as well as the needs of a particular dish.