Increasingly, turkey meat can be found on the shelves of supermarkets. It is presented in the form of whole carcasses, packaged parts of meat, breasts, wings, thighs and, of course, chopped into minced meat. Buyers began to prefer turkey meat more often than chicken, although it is much more expensive. This is due to the fact that turkey meat has a large number of useful properties and it is very useful for the human body.
Protein can be found in all types of food, including fish, eggs, milk, and vegetables, but turkey meat is a particularly good source.
What is useful in turkey meat, how useful and harmful it is, now we will understand this in more detail.
Useful substances in turkey
Turkeys are a common species of poultry from the genus of chickens and the pheasant family, which is descended from wild turkeys. The bird has a varied diet, it feeds on grass, clover, alfalfa, berries, seeds of plants and trees, acorns, beetles and grasshoppers. Therefore, meat has a large nutritional value and therefore very useful for humans. Including it in our diet, we saturate the body with vital substances.
The benefits of turkey meat are undeniable, it contains a complete protein and a complete set of amino acids necessary for the human body. It has:
- phosphorus, copper, iron, potassium, calcium, zinc and magnesium,
- as well as B vitamins (B, B2, B3, B4, B6, B7, B9, B12), H, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.
11 health benefits of turkey meat
-
Strengthens the nervous system
Turkey meat is less fatty than other types of meat (pork, duck) and it is very rich in quality protein. Everyone knows that a lack of protein leads to muscle weakness, distraction, nervousness and lack of energy. having eaten good meat birds, we save ourselves from the risk of these symptoms and strengthen the nervous system, magnesium and phosphorus help us with this.
-
Improves brain function
Turkey meat contains an alpha amino acid called tryptophan. It is not produced by the human body and must come from outside, in this case from poultry meat. Tryptophan, in turn, promotes the formation melatonin and serotonin, substances very necessary for the brain that improve brain function, relax and improve mood. By eating turkey meat, we take care of the quality work of the vessels of the brain and its functioning in general.
-
Strengthens bones
Thanks to the vitamins and microelements contained in it, in particular calcium and phosphorus, it helps to strengthen the skeletal system. By eating a small piece of poultry meat, you can replenish the body with the necessary and useful substances, strengthen bones and protect the body from many diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Meat is very useful both at a young age and for the elderly.
-
Normalizes the functioning of the thyroid gland
Turkey and its beneficial properties normalize thyroid function. One serving of meat contains half daily allowance Selena. Selenium supports hormonal background and prevents the thyroid gland from working and protects it from many dangerous diseases.
-
Resists cancer
Turkey meat has beneficial properties to prevent cancer. The selenium contained in it protects very well immune system As a strong antioxidant, it fights the carcinogenic activity of free radicals. Thus, it protects the human body from many oncological diseases such as prostate cancer, Bladder, lungs, stomach, esophagus and many other organs.
-
Improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system
The usefulness of turkey meat also lies in the fact that vitamin B12 in it reduces the level of homocysteine, which is responsible for all cognitive changes. Meat contains niacin, which actively reduces bad cholesterol and normalizes “good”. Cholesterol reduction and normalization blood pressure at the expense low calorie product is great support healthy work of cardio-vascular system.
-
Helps in losing weight
For those who dream of losing excess weight, nutritionists recommend normalizing metabolism and improving work gastrointestinal tract. High concentration useful substances and vitamins, such as B3 and B6, which are present in poultry meat, help overweight people to easily lose weight overweight. Turkey meat speeds up metabolism, normalizes intestinal motility, eliminating the formation of toxins, constipation and other unpleasant symptoms of disruption of the digestive tract. Poultry meat is part of the diet.
-
Strengthens muscles
People involved in sports or physical labor are advised to consume poultry meat, as it contains protein. High Quality. Turkey breast is very useful, many steamed dishes are prepared from it, combined with vegetables, fruits and others. healthy ingredients. Meat makes it easy to carry physical exercise, makes the body hardy, strengthens and builds muscles.
-
Useful for men
Turkey meat is very beneficial for men's health and for enhancing sexual activity. Frequent use this useful product will lead to an increase in potency and sexual desire. In addition, turkey has a positive effect on reproductive health.
-
Good for children's body
Pediatricians of all countries include poultry meat in their diet baby food already from 6 months of age. Meat is anti-allergic, well absorbed in a body that is not yet strong and provides it with protein, which will help strengthen the musculoskeletal system and teeth. With poor weight gain in a child, many doctors recommend adding mashed turkey meat to the diet of babies.
-
Increases hemoglobin
For weakened people, as well as children with poor health and low hemoglobin, turkey meat is what you need. A simple broth, cooked from giblets or turkey neck, will strengthen the health of the patient, and the liver will significantly increase hemoglobin. The fastest way to increase hemoglobin is boiled buckwheat with liver and pomegranate juice.
Which is healthier chicken or turkey?
Nutritionists unequivocally state that chicken meat and turkey meat are dietary meat and each of them is very useful. Chicken can be consumed daily and it does not pose any threat to human health and figure, it is an excellent source of protein and other useful elements. chicken broths are considered medicinal, they restore the strength lost during the illness and strengthen the immune system. Chicken meat is higher in calories than turkey meat, but this does not make it less popular among chicken lovers.
People who eat turkey meat rarely have a bad mood, because the tryptophan contained in the meat produces endorphins, the hormones of happiness. And balanced fatty acids make turkey meat perfect product for losing weight and sports people leading a healthy lifestyle. Anti-allergic poultry meat is useful for children, it can be used by hypertensive patients and diabetics, as it has little fat and bad cholesterol, and even more protein, amino acids, calcium and phosphorus than chicken.
The table below provides comparisons of macronutrients between various types fried meat chickens and turkeys. The main difference is that chicken breast contains slightly more calories than turkey breast, while dark chicken meat provides more calories than dark turkey meat. The macronutrient count is similar between chicken and turkey. However, the calorie (and fat) content is higher in dark and white meats.
Micronutrient comparison table
The vitamin and mineral content of chicken and turkey meat is very similar. These foods are good sources of iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, niacin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. There are no significant micronutrient differences between chicken breast and turkey breast, or between dark chicken and dark turkey meat. However, dark meat is the best source zinc, and white meat is richer in niacin.
| 100 g portion |
Chicken breast (fried, skinless) |
Turkey breast (fried, skinless) |
Dark chicken meat (fried, no skin) |
Dark turkey meat (fried, no skin) |
| Iron | 1 mg | 0.7 mg | 1 mg | 1 mg |
| Zinc | 1 mg | 2 mg | 3 mg | 4 mg |
| Magnesium | 29 mg | 32 mg | 23 mg | 27 mg |
| Phosphorus | 228 mg | 230 mg | 179 mg | 212 mg |
| Potassium | 256 mg | 249 mg | 240 mg | 227 mg |
| Niacin | 14 mg | 12 mg | 7 mg | 7 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.6 mg | 0.8 mg | 0.4 mg | 0.4 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.3 mg | 0.4 mg | 0.3 mg | 2 mg |
So which is better?
Because chicken and turkey are so similar that the best choice for you really depends on taste preferences and the question of price. Both meats are great choice as a source of nutritious, high quality protein.
How to choose and store turkey meat
When choosing meat products, it is best to pay attention to farm or homemade meat. It is still natural and when growing poultry, pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics and other substances that could be harmful to health were not used.
The meat must be healthy and beautiful view and when pressed with a finger, the dent should immediately return to its original position. Meat is sensitive to heat, so after buying it, it must be cooked immediately or sent for storage in a refrigerator or freezer. A cooked turkey will keep in the refrigerator for up to four days.
Contraindications to the use of turkey meat
There are very few harms and contraindications for eating turkey meat. It, like all other products, should not be abused, especially
- people with kidney failure and people with gout.
- For people with hypertension, doctors recommend do not salt the meat because it contains sodium.
- Studies show that high amounts of tryptophan can make you sleepy.
A turkey does not look that big, but it contains about 150 bones, which is slightly less than the number of bones in a person (206).
It's funny but true - like people, turkeys can die from a heart attack. This was discovered when many turkeys died from the shock and noise of jets flying overhead.
An interesting fact is that turkeys cannot raise their heads during rainstorms, a turkey can even drown when it rains.
Turkeys and peacocks have similarities, turkeys also extend their colorful feathers and dance to attract the opposite sex.
What else is useful?
Turkey is considered healthy and dietary meat, balanced in the composition of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It has little cholesterol, it is perfectly digestible, contains valuable vitamins and minerals, does not cause allergies and is suitable for feeding newborns. - ideal meat for a home diet, so today we are going to the store or to the market to choose good turkey, the quality of which determines the taste, attractiveness and, of course, the benefits of dishes. I want to cook delicious and fresh food for my family. homemade food, so it's not worth saving on a turkey.
How to choose turkey meat by appearance
Quality turkey has different shades of reddish color - it can be soft pink and dark red. Red meat has more protein and less fat, while light meat has the opposite, so turkey with pink muscle tissue is considered the best. The skin of the bird should be dry, elastic and smooth, but not slippery, as this indicates that the meat has been lying on the counter for too long. Feeling the carcass, press on it with your finger - if the dent remains, then the meat is far from the first freshness and you should not buy it, no matter how attractive the price is.
A turkey should weigh about 5–10 kg - it is at this weight that its meat is most delicious. The greater the body weight of the bird, the older it is, and the old meat is not suitable for food, as it is too tough and dry. Turkey meat is tender and soft, but is considered immature because it has few vitamins and nutrients.
When choosing a turkey, pay attention to the comb and legs. The scallop is usually light, and the legs of a young bird are rounded, smooth and gray. The belly of the turkey is soft, moist and slightly shiny, and the carcass should be free of stains and damage, with a pleasant and fresh smell.
Which turkey meat is better: growing and storage conditions
If you have a choice, buy a bird that has been raised in the wild, not in a cage. The fact is that active movements, healthy conditions content, natural food and an abundance of sun have a good effect on the taste of meat, which cannot be said about birds languishing in poultry farms. Interestingly, a turkey raised in good conditions, does not lose its taste and nutritional value even with aging. It turns out that organic farm products are ideal for family nutrition.
It is difficult to choose frozen in the store, because it is impossible to feel it, checking for softness and elasticity. In this case, you will have to trust the manufacturer and not chase after a cheap product, since, as a rule, it is of dubious quality. In some cases, frozen poultry can be a lifesaver, especially before the holidays, when the markets are crowded and hyped. At least American housewives make sure that Thanksgiving is not left without holiday table, which is always adorned with a delicious baked turkey. When buying meat in advance, be sure to check the expiration date of the product and the tightness of the packaging.
Usually turkeys are slaughtered in early autumn, so best time purchases fresh meat- from October to December.
What parts of a turkey are suitable for cooking
Turkey thigh and drumstick are considered the most delicious and tender meat, not inferior in softness to pork, especially if you bake it in foil or in a sleeve. In addition, it is stuffed, stewed and minced for cutlets. No less tasty is the tail of the turkey - the tail, which is also different affordable price. It is pre-marinated, and then stewed, fried, baked and added to soups. Turkey fillet, especially breast, is used for any dishes and is indispensable in baby food.
Meaty turkey stomachs are suitable for aspic and roast, they make delicious pâtés, and the heart is added to salads and soups. The wing of the turkey is boiled, fried, baked and marinated, the neck is bought for jelly and soups, and the back of the turkey is rich, thick and fragrant broths. For baking, they take a gutted half carcass and a carcass, which is stuffed with vegetables, fruits, nuts and rice.
Capricious gourmets believe that the best are grown only in North America and Canada. However, you can also buy a good bird from us if you know the places and understand the intricacies right choice. Over time, experience will come, and you will learn how to accurately identify good turkey meat, which makes delicious, nutritious and healthy dishes for big family. Cook the turkey in different ways and share the recipes with the readers of the Eat at Home website!
11.08.16
Turkey meat is valuable food product. It is a supplier of complete protein to the human body.
Its protein is easily and completely absorbed by both adults and children.
What are the general beneficial properties of turkey meat for the body, what are the harms and benefits of turkey fillet for men, women and children? Let's get into all the details!
Composition of turkey meat
Turkey meat is rich in protein, contains a small amount of fat - their ratio in meat is 2: 1, and there are no carbohydrates in the composition.
Calorie content of 100 grams is comparable with beef- Approximately (depending on the part of the carcass) 195 kcal per 100 g of product, but poultry meat is absorbed more fully.
The main composition is enriched with a large amount (2 times more than in beef), vitamins of group B, PP, minerals( , sodium, ).
Cholesterol, found in any meat, is found in turkey in a small amount and in a form useful to the body.
Beneficial features
What are the benefits of turkey meat? This product is recognized as a dietary physicians in all medical disciplines.
Poultry meat is more easily included in the metabolism, its composition enriches the body with useful substances. Useful for the prevention of painful conditions:
- the iron contained in red meat prevents the development of anemia;
- magnesium strengthens the heart muscle;
- phosphorus, the content of which approaches the amount present in fish, promotes absorption, and therefore strengthens bones and teeth;
- sodium maintains a balance with potassium, which supports the work of the cardiovascular system;
- vitamins B, PP strengthen the nervous system, regulate the transmission of impulses along the nerve trunks;
- the protein component strengthens muscle mass, hair, skin, mucous membranes;
- turkey cholesterol is not deposited on the walls of blood vessels, prevents the accumulation of harmful lipids from other products;
- balanced composition of meat and organicity for human perception reduces the risk of complications in diseases when a limited intake of animal proteins is recommended;
- a very useful product in the fight against obesity: eating turkey meat with leafy vegetables and salads provides good nutrition with reduced calorie and a feeling of fullness for a long time.
Turkey is not contraindicated for pregnant women and. Its complete dietary protein helps form a new life properly.
What is healthier - chicken or turkey? We understand together with the program "Live healthy!":
As it is
There are many ways to cook a turkey.– each housewife experiments with the product and creates her own dishes.
- very young children prepare carefully chopped meat puree with the addition of broth;
- elderly people can use it in the form of pate, soup in meat broth;
- turkey stew is not contraindicated for most consumers, variations with seasonings, alternating side dishes make this dish in demand;
- perfectly healthy active people can afford roast turkey, occasionally even with the skin - cholesterol is contained in it, but its amount is optimal;
- cooking classic - baked turkey whole carcass, often stuffed (prunes, citrus fruits, and other fruits, mushrooms or vegetables);
- you can use turkey meat for barbecue and barbecue.
Turkey meat fits into the norms of consumption of protein products of animal origin in general: 1 g of protein per 1 kg of human weight.
Therefore, taking into account the intake of proteins of animal origin and from other products, 100-200 g of turkey per day is enough.
The nutritional value depends on the part of the carcass and on the method of preparation. More calorie dark leg meat, fried in butter, and less nutritious breast, steamed or grilled.
How to keep quality
The healthiest meat is chilled. You can store it for no more than 1-2 days in the refrigerator, so they cook turkey immediately.
After heat treatment and cooking product shelf life is also limited to two to three days at low temperatures.
Long term storage
But not in all regions you can buy freshly slaughtered poultry. Perfectly fresh frozen. They resort to freezing and, if necessary, preserve the product for a long time.
Freezers of household refrigerators cope with the task - frozen carcasses are stored in them.
The main storage rule: thawed product is not subject to re-freezing. If the carcass is removed from the freezer and thawed, it is not recommended to put it back - there will be a significant decrease in taste and useful properties.
It is useful to defrost meat natural way . For example, in the evening, move the carcass from freezer into the refrigerator. Sufficient thawing will occur overnight to cut the carcass.
For quick defrost use a microwave oven.
The most undesirable method is immersion in water to thaw the product. Many dissolve in water useful material, the taste of such a bird is worse.
Before freezing chilled poultry housewives usually cut the carcass and store it not entirely to use not at once, but in parts.
Cooking
Compliance with a few rules when cooking turkey will allow to preserve the gastronomic attractiveness and consumer usefulness of the product:
- for making broth meat, cut into small pieces, put in cold water, bring to a boil, remove the foam and cook until tender, salt 10-15 minutes before the end of cooking;
- if the purpose of cooking is boiled meat rather than broth or soup, it is better to boil it large piece, immersed in boiling water, to which roots are added during cooking (
Poultry is a favorite meat for many. It is tasty, not greasy, and also inexpensive (compared to beef, veal, rabbit, etc.). Many hostesses are wondering: which is better to buy meat, chicken or turkey? To understand this issue, it is worth making some comparison.
Comparative analysis of chicken and turkey meat
Fat content comparison
Turkey is rightfully the most dietary meat among all possible types meat, including chicken. It contains up to 5% fat (when pork tenderloin can contain up to 52% fat, beef up to 41%, and chicken up to 20%). In addition, turkey meat is characterized by the least amount of saturated fat - 0.5 g of fat per 100 g of meat.
Comparison by protein content
A large amount of protein is found in turkey meat, rather than chicken. Also, the turkey has methionine and amino acids, which contribute to the absorption of proteins. Unfortunately, the chicken does not have such values.
Comparison of Calcium and Cholesterol
100 grams of turkey meat contains about 32 mg of calcium when chicken meat this figure is 11 mg. Cholesterol is also lower in turkey. This meat is more balanced in terms of the ratio of saturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Summing up the results in the comparison line of chicken and turkey meat, it is worth noting the following points:
- turkey is lower in saturated fat, cholesterol and lower in calories;
- turkey is easier to digest by the human body;
- turkey contains a large amount of vitamins A, B, E, iron, calcium and phosphorus;
- in cooking turkey requires less salt, as it contains a large amount of sodium;
- turkey meat does not cause allergic reactions;
- turkey is more expensive.
Well, it seems that the answer to the question is that healthier chicken or turkey, obviously!
The opinion of experts, which is more useful - chicken or turkey
To make sure that it is better to stop your choice on a turkey, let's turn to specialists. Nutritionists will definitely say - eat turkey and they will be right. In addition to all the above features of this meat, the turkey has other important indicators. For example, people who eat this meat are not in a bad mood. Turkey contains tryptophan, which is responsible for the production of the pleasure hormone. In addition, such meat is an excellent product for overweight people. It is recommended even for small children, as it absolutely does not cause allergies. The low fat content allows turkey to be consumed by hypertensive patients and diabetics.
Turkey Possesses unique property reincarnation. Cook, for example, pork and add a few pieces of turkey to it. Eating such a dish, you will never in your life realize that there is a turkey. It is able to take on the taste of any meat in the cooking process.
The uniqueness of meat lies in the fact that it has absolutely no contraindications, therefore it does not cause any harm to the body. It also has some medicinal properties. For example, it prevents the development of cancer cells.
Such meat can be cooked in various forms. Cutlets, meatballs, casseroles, dumplings, sausages, snacks, salads, schnitzels, etc. are made from it. It is baked, stuffed with fruits and vegetables, served with sweet and sour sauces. There are really many cooking options.
So, chicken and turkey meat is healthy and tasty in its own way. But, if you have a choice, it is best to give your preference to the turkey.
Turkey meat ranks second in popularity after chicken. The best is the meat of a young bird, whose weight reaches about 10 kg. To obtain meat, farmers raise birds of a hybrid breed, which are unpretentious and quickly gain weight. The largest number turkey meat is supplied to the market by American farmers.
Turkey meat is very tender, pink in color with a beige tint, which can turn into reddish (see photo). This meat has almost no fat. The turkey breast, like the chicken, is colored in White color and drier than other parts of the bird.
How to choose and store?
Today in the store you can buy both fresh and frozen meat, and the bird can be whole or cut into pieces. To get tasty and healthy dish, you need to choose the right turkey meat. To do this, follow these recommendations:
Fresh turkey meat must be rubbed to remove excess moisture, wrapped in plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerated for no more than 1 day. If the temperature is from 0 to 2 degrees, and the humidity varies from 80 to 85%, then the period can be extended to 7 days. If use shock freezing meat, the shelf life is approximately 1 year in the freezer.
Benefits of white turkey meat
The benefits of turkey meat are due to its low calorie content, so it is considered the most dietary. It is often recommended to include in the diet medical nutrition. The composition of the product includes a large amount of vitamins, minerals and other substances. Turkey meat is considered hypoallergenic, so it can be safely given to children. The rich composition allows you to increase the protective functions of the body, as well as improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Turkey meat has a positive effect on activity nervous system, which in turn helps to cope with insomnia, stress, depression and other problems.
It is recommended to include turkey meat in the diet for older people, as well as for pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is also useful for those who are actively involved in sports or have suffered a serious illness. In large quantities, turkey contains sodium, which increases blood plasma and improves metabolism. Turkey contains omega-3s, which are important for normal operation heart and brain. In large quantities, this meat contains vitamins of group B, which improve metabolism. It contains calcium, which is important for bone tissue and for the nervous system. There is also vitamin K in turkey, which strengthens blood vessels.
Use in cooking
Turkey meat can be cooked different ways,
so it can be stewed, fried, boiled, grilled and steamed, as well as smoked. In addition, it is used to prepare canned food, pate and various meat products. Many people like to bake whole poultry, especially this dish is appreciated in the USA, as it is the main thing during the Thanksgiving Day. Turkey meat goes well with vegetables and mushrooms, it is served with various side dishes. The taste of poultry can be varied with marinades and sauces. It is customary to make minced meat from meat, which is used to make cutlets, meatballs, dumplings, etc. It is also used as a filling for a variety of pastries, for example, for pies and lasagna.
cooking secrets
So that you can get tasty, juicy and fragrant dish from turkey meat, there are several features of its preparation. Now we will reveal to you a few secrets:
Harm of turkey meat and contraindications
Turkey meat can harm people who have an individual intolerance, but this is extremely rare. because of a large number protein with caution, it is necessary to use the product for kidney failure, gout, as well as urolithiasis. It should also be borne in mind that turkey meat contains a lot of sodium, so hypertensive patients should not use salt when cooking it. This product should not be used in large quantities, since the remains that are not digested will begin to rot in the intestines, which can lead to the development of various diseases.
Loading...