Did you know that ground turkey is one of the best proteins you can eat?
This incredible type of meat is one of the most versatile and protein-rich ingredients that is missing from several people’s meals. If you want to gain more muscle, feel satiated for longer, mix and match in different recipes, or have it in your fridge for easy meal prep, ground turkey brings a lot to the table.
Even though deli meat and turkey bacon are popular lunchtime staples, our star meat offers lots of health benefits. First of all, it’s available in learner varieties, is low-fat, delicious, easy to cook, packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals, and pretty low in calories. Moreover, this one doesn’t carry any of the risks linked to several processed turkey products, so you can eat it without worries.
Besides being a great aid in weight loss, this protein is also excellent for heart health, muscle growth, and improving energy levels. And the best part about all this is that ground turkey is so inexpensive, it’s simple to store up and eat each time you feel like it.
If you’re not fully convinced why you should include this lean protein in your diet, keep reading, because we have all the answers:
1. Low in saturated fat
Did you know that ground turkey is lower in saturated fat than ground beef? A three-ounce cooked turkey serving contains around 2.5 grams of saturated fat, while the same quantity of ground beef contains approximately 4.8 grams of saturated fat.
Nutritionists and doctors warn that excessive consumption of saturated fat can negatively impact your health by building up in your arteries and increasing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Over time, this can increase your risk for stroke and heart disease.
Even though more research is needed to better understand the connection between saturated fats and health issues, experts recommend that people eat as healthily as possible and avoid processed foods whenever possible.
2. High in protein
We already mentioned that ground turkey is packed with protein, so if you like the taste and want to get creative in the kitchen, you must try it. Three ounces of 93% lean turkey contain around 22 grams of protein. If you want to lose weight, you’ll be happy to hear that the quantity of meat we mentioned above has only 180 calories.
Another thing you’re going to love is that it is packed with essential amino acids that are needed to repair and build your cells. You don’t only need protein to increase your muscle mass, but to help your body survive each day. This amazing nutrient helps with digestion, hormone regulation, and oxygenation of red blood cells.
Even if you don’t workout, you still need to consume protein to maintain the muscle mass you already have. Don’t forget that protein supports a healthy metabolism and also helps you burn more calories throughout the day. Moral of the story? Get that ground turkey in!
3. Rich in vitamins
Did you know ground turkey can help you get more B vitamins in your diet? These are essential for maintaining your energy levels, converting food into energy, creating new blood cells, and supporting your brain cells, skin cells, and other body tissues.
If you eat a 3-ounce serving of ground turkey, you’ll fuel your body with 50% of the recommended daily dose of vitamin B3 or niacin. Eating this satisfying source of protein can also give you lots of vitamins B6 and B12, so your blood is healthy, your heart is strong, and you feel amazing all day long.
To get even more benefits out of this meat, nutritionists recommend getting pasture-raised turkey, as studies suggest it contains more vitamins A and E and less total cholesterol. Moreover, this also contains a better omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, which will protect your beautiful body against inflammation.
4. Has heart-healthy fats
Even though ground turkey is lower in saturated fat than beef, it’s not lower in total fat. If you were wondering where the fat comes from, the answer is simple: it’s mainly unsaturated fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
According to nutritionists, unsaturated fats are a better and more protective type of fat. Research even suggests that replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat can have potential benefits in reducing cardiac events. If you want to lower your bad (LDL) cholesterol, the American Heart Association advises increasing your intake of unsaturated fats.
5. High in minerals
If none of these reasons convinced you to add ground turkey to your diet, maybe this one will. This incredible meat is packed with minerals that we typically forget are important for our bodies. For instance, turkey is rich in zinc and selenium and is one of the greatest mineral sources you could be eating. It has 28% of your daily value of zinc and over 56% selenium. Moreover, it also contains lots of phosphorus, providing 20% of your DV.
According to doctors, your body needs these minerals to protect and strengthen your bones, keep your cells safe, and maintain the health of your DNA. Eating ground turkey will also fuel your body with potassium and iron, and if you know how to cook it properly, you can eat something nutritious, incredibly healthy, and tasty at the same time.
…Some of my favorite ground turkey dishes are lasagna, tacos, and pasta. Even if they might not sound healthy, cooking them with fresh ingredients will give you all the nutrients you need. After all, it’s all about balance, right?
6. High in the amino acid tryptophan
Are there any ground turkey lovers here? Then you’re going to enjoy what you’re about to read. Just like any other source of animal protein, turkey is packed with amino acids. But let’s not forget that poultry is highly rich in the amino acid tryptophan, which is an important precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin.
Serotonin is crucial for mood and sleep, and experts discovered that tryptophan depletion can lead to an increased risk of anxiety, according to a study. Diet has a big impact on how you feel and act, so aim to make 80% of your food choices healthy and nutritious, while leaving 20% for soul-feeding treats. Balance is key!
…If you want to cook the most delicious ground turkey burgers, you’ll need this utensil!
7. Weight loss aid
As we already mentioned at the beginning of the article, ground turkey is an amazing aid when it comes to weight loss. If you have a few unnecessary pounds that drive you crazy, swap fattier cuts of meat for turkey.
Lean ground turkey has fewer calories per ounce than ground beef but has the same amount of protein. You’ll feel your muscles with all the right things to help them grow stronger and bigger, while also keeping the calories to a minimum. The best part is that you can mix and match several ingredients to create a divine meal.
If you want to eat something nutritious, savory, packed with vitamins and protein, and that won’t spike your blood sugar levels, you could create a delicious bowl. All you need is ground turkey, baby spinach, brown rice, baked veggies (my favorite for this combination is sweet potatoes and broccoli), a quarter of avocado, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. You can combine the avocado with garlic, pieces, and Greek yogurt to create an amazing dip. This meal is exactly what you need to have energy, lose weight, and feel good at the same time!
At the end of the day, remember to take care of your health by nourishing both body and soul. Enjoy lean proteins, fruits, and veggies, but don’t forget that movement is key to feeling your best! If there’s a topic you’d love to see next from Indulging Health, share your thoughts in the comments below!
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