Is Turkey Healthy? (4 Health Benefits & Side Effects Found)

Meat has been an essential item in my diet for the past ten years. Recently, I decided to shift to healthier unprocessed meat, and turkey seemed like a great option.

But before I transitioned, I talked to a dietician to find out if it was a healthy addition to my carnivore lifestyle.

Here’s what I’ve discovered.

Quick Summary

Is Turkey a Healthy Meat Option?

Yes, turkey is a healthy meat option abundant in protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Turkey meat is lean poultry meat obtained from domesticated or wild turkeys.

Native to North America, turkey is usually roasted whole or traditionally served with stuffing and trimmings as the primary dish on Thanksgiving or Christmas tables.

If you’re looking for a reliable source to get your healthy holiday feast, look no further than ButcherBox.

Turkey Nutrition

A 100g portion of turkey meat and skin provides the following:

• 190 kcals/799 KJ
• 30.9g protein
• 10.1g vitamin B
• 7.4g fat
• 2.3g saturated fat
• 2.7g mono-unsaturated fat
• 1.8g poly-unsaturated fat
• 2.4mg zinc
• 17 mcg selenium [1].

Nutritional content varies depending on the cut of the meat. Turkey breast is one of the best sources of white meat since it's rich in muscle and high in proteins.

At the same time, dark meat contains more connective tissue and tends to have more fats and calories.

Furthermore, turkey skin has a very high-fat content with noticeable saturated fat meaning that cuts with skin have more calories than skinless cuts.

Also Read: Dark Meat vs White Meat

4 Health Benefits Of Turkey

Consuming turkey regularly can benefit you in many ways.

1. Rich In Protein

The protein in turkey is of high quality supplying the body with all nine amino acids we need for tissue growth and repair [2].

This makes it an excellent source of protein for those looking to build lean muscle or lose weight.

Turkey contains the amino acid Tryptophan. This amino acid may help support serotonin levels, which promote mood [3].

While its level might be low, it's still a possible benefit of turkey.

"Tryptophan is needed for a wide variety of functions in the body. It is required for metabolic functions that impact mood, memory, visual cognition, and comprehension."
-Trista Best, Registered Dietician

Read More: How Much Protein Is in Deli Turkey?

2. Good Source Of Vitamins And Minerals

Turkey is a great contributor of Vitamins, including vitamins B3, B6, and B12. Our body needs these vitamins to form red blood cells and brain function.

Additionally, its meat is a rich source of zinc and selenium. One study has suggested that higher intakes of mineral selenium may decrease the prostate and colorectal cancer risk [4].

3. Helps To Maintain A Healthy Weight

From a nutrition perspective, a 100g serving contains 190 calories, o grams of carbohydrates, and 7 grams of fat, making it a good choice for people trying to lose weight or maintain their cholesterol levels.

4. Reduces Risk Of Heart Diseases

It is an excellent alternative to red meat, such as ground beef or lamb, since it contains carnitine. Carnitine helps to lower blood pressure and boost heart health by improving blood flow throughout the body [5].

3 Side Effects of Eating Turkey

While its health benefits are wide, there are some long-term side effects that may arise due to overeating.

1. High Sodium in Processed Varieties

Limiting processed turkey in your diet is vital due to its higher sodium content. Sodium is used as a preservative or flavor. Higher sodium content contributes to the risk of cardiovascular diseases and high blood pressure [6].

2. Increased Cholesterol Levels

Consuming too much turkey may increase cholesterol levels, especially if the meat has skin on it. This is because eating turkey with skin significantly increases your fat intake.

I recommend moderating your turkey intake and going for skinless white turkey meat.

3. Allergy

Although turkey allergy is rare, it ranges from mild to severe. Common symptoms such as sneezing, scratchy throat, or swelling around the mouth may be experienced shortly after eating cooked turkey. Ensure that you have no turkey allergy before eating foods with one.

Tips And Tricks For Choosing The Healthiest Turkey

Choosing good turkeys is important because some turkeys available in stores can be heavily preserved with salts.

Here are a few pointers that'll be of help to you: 

• Buy fresh skinless turkey breasts: They're leaner and contain high protein and vitamins. This white meat is suitable for those who want to maintain or lose weight. 
• Avoid processed turkey products: Limit processed products such as roasted turkey breast, ground turkey, and turkey bacon, as such meats are high in sodium. Even frozen turkey-prepacked burgers can usually contain added salt and preservatives. 
• Go for a well-rounded bird: Look for one with a well-rounded breast since it's juicier. Pay attention to flat spots indicating that the meat has been refrozen or thawed. This does not only increase the risk of freezer-burned beef, but it also raises the chances of contracting any food-borne illness. 
• Consider organic pasture-raised turkey: They have access to outdoor and are fed a USDA-certified organic diet free of antibiotics, synthetic fertilizers, or pesticides. Pasture-raised poultry has more Omega-3 than factory-processed turkey [7]. 

Related Articles:

• What Is the Healthiest Meat to Eat?
• Which Meat Has the Most Protein?
• Ground Turkey vs Ground Beef

FAQs

References:

1. https://www.nutritionix.com/food/turkey
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4462824/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4728667/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3179524/
5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335374753_
6. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/sodium.htm
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18809866/