If you reserve eating turkey for the almighty Thanksgiving feast, then you're likely shortchanging yourself and depriving yourself on one of the healthiest foods around. Bird is the word, as this festive food is chock full of goodness. {relatedarticles}Lean white meat, breasts, tenderloins, cutlets and ground turkey are all healthy cuts of turkey that can be used in everything from meatloaf to meat sauce. Turkey is an excellent source of protein, providing 65 percent of the daily value with half the amount of saturated fat found in red meat. But the poultry perks don't stop there -- selenium, niacin, vitamin B6 and the amino acid tryptophan, as well as zinc and vitamin B12. Enough research has been done to prove that turkey makes for a health-enhancing addition to your diet, thanks to those properties. Turkey reduces LDL cholesterol, prevents cancer, boosts the mood, improves the immune system and helps ward off insomnia.
Turkey is rich in selenium, a mineral that has been linked to cancer prevention. Studies show selenium induces DNA repair and synthesis in damaged cells. Turkey also is rich in niacin. It's been proven that a deficiency in niacin and other B-complex vitamins has been linked to DNA damage. {relatedarticles}As it so happens, turkey is also a good source of vitamin B6, which gives the body plenty of energy. If you're not sure the best way to use turkey in your recipe repertoire, start off by using it as a replacement for ground beef. Make turkey burgers instead of beef burgers. Or enjoy it on a sandwich or salad. The possibilities are endless.