The Great Debate – Is Ground Turkey Healthier than Beef?

[Koby]

There’s a lot of noise around ground turkey vs. ground beef and which is better for your health. Nutritionists and health professionals alike, have convinced us for years that ground turkey is a healthier choice. Such debate has been over the amount of cholesterol, saturated fat and even calories.

Ground turkey on one hand, is leaner but lacks the taste and tenderness of rich succulent red meat. Ground Beef on the other, is a full of nutrients such as Iron and Zinc but contains more saturated fat than turkey.

So how do you choose which is healthier?

Based on recent research, I’d like to make the case that commercial ground turkey and beef are more similar than we think. In some cases, beef is actually more beneficial. Below I’ve included 4 reasons that I hope will answer the question…

Which is better for you: ground turkey or beef?
 
Contrary to popular belief, not all ground turkey is leaner than ground beef. Ground turkey is available in several lean to fat ratios that determine its nutritional content. Check the Nutrition Facts label to determine the lean to fat ratio. If you chose any ground turkey without looking at the Nutrition Label, you may be defeating your purpose.

Below I’ve compared 93/7, lean to fat ratio ground beef and ground turkey.
3oz. Ground Beef – 162 calories, 7.5g fat, 68mg cholesterol
3oz. Ground Turkey – 176 calories, 9.7g fat, 90mg cholesterol
 
Surprised like I was?

Not only is the lean to fat ratio important, but so is what constitutes it. Ground turkey can contain dark meat and skin, which contains more cholesterol and fat than turkey breast.  If you’re seeking a lean protein, your best suited to walk up to your butcher and have him grind turkey breast in front of you. Aside from nutritional reasons, this will be the freshest, best tasting turkey you’ve ever had.
 
Most store bought ground turkey goes through similar commercial processing as ground beef. Peta reports that off the 300 million turkeys raised per year, virtually all are raised on factory farms. This means, animals are raised in tight corridors with limited access to light and poor ventilation. According to FarmSanctuary.org, ammonia-filled air is a common consequence of these conditions.

Ammonia-filled air? The last thing I want to be eating on my plate is a bird who’s been ingesting toxic gases its whole life. There’s an alternative. Similar to meat, you’re safest bet is to chose farm raised, organic fed poultry. Farm turkeys are raised in less stressful environments and are fed a more natural diet.
 
When it comes to nutrients, beef surpasses turkey in nearly every comparison. To be accurate, turkey and beef both contain similar amounts of potassium. In addition, turkey contains Selenium which supports immunity.

 

Eating beef is like taking a vitamin pill – its rich in Iron, Zinc, b12 and even contains the performance enhancing amino acid, creatine. Creatine supplements are popular among body builders and competitive athletes because it has clinically proven to increase max output and increase strength.

[Afternoon Nap]

None is healthier than other. Some fat doesn't harm anyone.

Edited August 1, 2015 by Roots of Unity