WHERE DOES POULTRY FIT IN?
In general, poultry’s fat profile is healthier than that of beef, pork, or lamb-and less healthy than that of fish or plant proteins like beans and lentils. But chicken and turkey provide high quality protein along with vitamins and minerals, including selenium, phosphorus, iron, and vitamins B12, B6, niacin, thiamine and riboflavin.
(Did You Know? Skinless chicken breast is the healthiest choice as dark meat has only slightly more fat. However, compared with beef, dark meat and even occasionally enjoying crispy skin are better for you.)
Try to limit processed poultry such as deli meats. Like sausage, bacon and hot dogs they contain high levels of salt and other unhealthy preservatives. This can lead to a higher risk of developing obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers (especially colon from the nitrites and nitrates.)
Rely on herbs, citrus and spices to flavor your poultry instead of salt.
Even though the calories are similar between (3% lean ground turkey and beef, the “healthy” unsaturated fats are greater in the ground turkey.
-Tuft’s Health and Nutrition Letter |