Is Chicken caccitore Water Good for You? Verywell Fit’s content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and diet and exercise healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Jonathan Valdez, RDN, CDE, CPT is a New York City-based telehealth registered dietitian nutritionist and nutrition communications expert. If you’ve been advised to limit your meat intake, you may wonder whether turkey fits into your meal plan. With a little attention to label reading, you can gain a lot of benefits from this Thanksgiving favorite. Most of the fat in turkey comes from the skin.
A turkey leg with skin has about 8 grams of fat per 3-ounce serving. 6 grams come from saturated fat. There are generally equal parts of saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, and polyunsaturated fat in turkey. Turkey is an excellent source of complete protein, with almost 24 grams in a 3-ounce serving. Turkey provides vitamin B12, folate, selenium, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and calcium. Dark meat is higher in iron than white meat.
Turkey offers several health benefits, particularly when used as a replacement for red meat. Here are some conditions where turkey can be especially helpful. Sarcopenia, or muscle wasting, commonly leads to frailty in seniors. That’s why getting enough protein at every meal is essential for older adults to maintain muscle mass and physical independence.