Is turkey better than chicken for weight loss? (2023)

Is turkey better than chicken for losing weight?

Dark meat cuts of chicken have slightly more fat and calories than dark meat cuts of turkey. The same is true for the white meat of these two types of poultry, as turkey is slightly leaner with fewer calories than chicken.

Turkey is fairly comparable to chicken in nutrients, but both its dark and white meat are slightly leaner. White meat has slightly less saturated fat than dark; skinless, boneless breast is leanest.

The White Meat

In terms of calories, fat, and protein, turkey breast and chicken breast are similar. Turkey breast contains about 44 calories, six grams of protein, and two grams of fat per ounce. Chicken breast contains slightly more protein and slightly less fat. But, to most people, these differences are negligible.

Turkey is generally lower in saturated fat than beef. As such, it may be a better choice for heart health. Fat-free turkey is also the lowest calorie option if you're interested in weight loss.

Turkey and chicken can be used interchangeably in recipes for salads, sandwiches, stews and casseroles. They can be baked, grilled or roasted.

Protein is a macronutrient, which means that your body needs a lot of it. Your body can't store protein, so you need to consume it every day. As long as you don't eat too much turkey, it is a healthy way to get the protein you need. It's also a good source of beneficial vitamins and minerals like magnesium and niacin.

Avoid processed meats

Finally, health experts say to stay away from processed meats, which are generally considered to be unhealthy. These include any meat that has been smoked, salted, cured, dried, or canned. Compared to fresh meat, processed meats are high in sodium and can have double the amount of nitrates.

A serving of turkey is a 2 to 3-ounce cooked portion. The Food Guide Pyramid suggests 2 to 3 servings from the meat group each day. The portions below represent 100 grams, approximately 3 1/2 ounces, of sliced meat from a whole roasted turkey.

Carbohydrates, fat, Cholesterol, and Vitamins

Both forms of poultry, as long as they are skinless and un-breaded, are carb free and low in fat. Turkey breast contains about 70 milligrams of cholesterol, and chicken breast provides just under 90 milligrams of cholesterol in each 3-once portion.

Are potatoes good for you?

Potatoes are a good source of fiber, which can help you lose weight by keeping you full longer. Fiber can help prevent heart disease by keeping cholesterol and blood sugar levels in check. Potatoes are also full of antioxidants that work to prevent diseases and vitamins that help your body function properly.

Chicken breast and turkey breast are close in total calorie content, protein content and percent daily value of iron. Where they differ slightly is sodium content and cholesterol levels. Chicken breast is marginally higher in both sodium and cholesterol.

A healthy balanced diet can include protein from meat, as well as from fish and eggs or non-animal sources such as beans and pulses. Meats such as chicken, pork, lamb and beef are all rich in protein. Red meat provides us with iron, zinc and B vitamins.

Is canned tuna fish good for you? Yes, canned tuna is a healthful food rich in protein and contains many vitamins and minerals such as B-Complex vitamins, Vitamins A and D as well as iron, selenium and phosphorus. Tuna also contains healthy omega 3 essential fatty acids DHA and EPA.

Turkeys and chickens are relatively easy to distinguish based upon their physical appearance and characteristics. Turkeys are larger in size than chickens, usually by about 10 to 15 pounds, and will have very long tail feathers. They are also darker in color than chickens with no feathers on their neck and head.

It was a healthy choice. "Turkey is a great source of protein, rich in many vitamins and minerals, and is low-fat – if you don't eat the skin," Champagne said. It's rich in B-complex vitamins niacin, B6 and B12 and the essential nutrient choline.

Many people confuse between the two types of meats, both are lauded as lean and healthy meats, however, they both have different taste and flavour. Turkey has a rich taste as compared to chicken and has almost half the calories than chicken. You can say that a turkey is just like a chicken, but bigger.

Calories. Both of these meats contain relatively few calories, which make them appealing to those trying to maintain a healthy weight. There's a slight difference between the caloric values of turkey and chicken—turkey being the lower—but the difference is negligible.

Turkey has a marginally higher protein content than chicken – turkey on average has 29g of protein per 100g while chicken has 27g per 100g – and on average has fewer calories and a slightly lower fat content and so this means it is the poultry of choice for many bodybuilders.

Does turkey have more protein than chicken?

Chicken breast and turkey breast are close in total calorie content, protein content and percent daily value of iron. Where they differ slightly is sodium content and cholesterol levels. Chicken breast is marginally higher in both sodium and cholesterol.

Carbohydrates, fat, Cholesterol, and Vitamins

Turkey breast contains about 70 milligrams of cholesterol, and chicken breast provides just under 90 milligrams of cholesterol in each 3-once portion.

As long as you don't eat too much turkey, it is a healthy way to get the protein you need. It's also a good source of beneficial vitamins and minerals like magnesium and niacin.

Some people may wonder if turkey is good for weight loss. When compared with other meats, this bird may be one of the better options. Including turkey in your weight loss diet in place of other foods can prove beneficial, especially if you're getting rid of a fattier meat in favor of turkey.

"Turkey is a great source of protein, rich in many vitamins and minerals, and is low-fat – if you don't eat the skin," Champagne said. It's rich in B-complex vitamins niacin, B6 and B12 and the essential nutrient choline.

Although protein can be consumed from a wide variety of foods such as Greek yoghurt, eggs and oats, chicken and turkey are the most popular high protein meats and are also lean, perfect for gym goers and those looking to get into shape.

You may be surprised to hear that chicken breast has the most protein in it compared to all types of meat. It has an impressive 30.9g of protein per 100g/3.5 ounces.

The recommended dietary allowance to prevent deficiency for an average sedentary adult is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. For example, a person who weighs 165 pounds, or 75 kilograms, should consume 60 grams of protein per day.

Potatoes are a good source of fiber, which can help you lose weight by keeping you full longer. Fiber can help prevent heart disease by keeping cholesterol and blood sugar levels in check. Potatoes are also full of antioxidants that work to prevent diseases and vitamins that help your body function properly.

Highly nutritious, low in fat, inexpensive, versatile, and always available, turkey is a SuperFood that has finally come into its own. When you discover all of its terrific nutritious benefits, it will surely become part of your regular meal planning. Skinless turkey breast is probably the leanest meat protein.

Is turkey good for cholesterol?

To summarize, turkey meat has low total lipid, cholesterol, and polyunsaturated fatty acid levels, making it a desirable option for diets aiming at lowering blood cholesterol levels.

Turkey is often touted as a heart-healthy alternative to other proteins, but the truth is not quite as simple as that. While a turkey burger is definitely better for you than a beef patty, how healthy it actually is depends on the lean-to-fat ratio.

Feeling sleepy after Thanksgiving dinner is common. Many people find they cannot stop yawning as they clean up dishes, while others nod off during a football game. This is often blamed on turkey, since it contains tryptophan¹. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid² used in the process of making serotonin.

There are good, lean choices. For example, you can consider chicken or turkey breasts without skin; pork tenderloin; or beef round, sirloin, or tenderloin. Avoid highly processed meats (bacon, ham, lunchmeat, etc.).