Looking for an idea for this year’s festive food? Instead of traditional chicken or time-consuming goose, you should consider turkey, which is readily available in butchers and supermarkets.. Experts claim that it is not only softer and juicier, but also healthier than chicken or pork.
- According to experts, turkey meat is healthier than other types of meat.
- It contains a high proportion of protein, a small amount of fat, and many important nutrients.
- It supports heart activity and helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
A healthy and affordable choice
Turkey meat originates from North America and was brought to Europe by Portuguese and Spanish colonizers in the late 15th and early 16th centuries.. At first it was a luxury item reserved for the rich, but over time it became more accessible to the general public. Today it is among the most popular types of poultry meat, although chicken is still the most popular. However, raising turkeys is more demanding than raising chickens because they grow more slowly and require higher quality feed.
100 grams of roasted skinless turkey contains approximately 200 calories, 31 grams of protein and 7.4 grams of fat. In addition, it is a rich source of B vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, zinc and selenium. It also contains tryptophan, an amino acid that helps produce serotonin (the happy hormone) and melatonin.
Turkey meat is very healthy. (illustrative photo)
Source:
iStock
It contains many important substances
Eating turkey brings many health benefits and supports the overall functioning of the body. It provides easily digestible proteins with all the essential amino acids needed for growth and development. Compared to chicken, it contains more protein and less fat, so it also has slightly fewer calories. However, the lower fat content means that it can dry out faster during cooking, so proper preparation is important.
The low fat content and high protein content, along with important nutrients, make turkey meat a heart-healthy choice.. Studies have shown that higher consumption of poultry and fish is associated with a reduced risk of coronary disease. Replacing one serving of red meat with poultry reduced the likelihood of cardiovascular disease by 19%.
It is suitable for diabetics and people with heart problems. (illustrative photo)
Source:
iStock
Turkey is also one of the meats with the lowest cholesterol content and is an excellent source of selenium. Research suggests that foods rich in this substance may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, including bladder, breast, lung and stomach cancer.
This type of meat also has a low glycemic index, so it does not cause a sharp increase in blood sugar. It is therefore suitable for people who need to monitor their glucose level. Turkey is also part of the MIND diet, which is aimed at slowing the decline of cognitive abilities. Consumption can thus help preserve memory and mental performance in older people.
The health benefits of turkey depend mainly on the method of its preparation. Instead of deep-frying or deep-frying, opt for steaming, baking or cooking without the skin. Choose fresh turkey over processed products, which often contain too much salt.
This article comes from the Ringier publishing partner website. The content and data contained in it were taken without editorial intervention.
