If there’s a natural cheat day built into the calendar, Thanksgiving is probably it. In general, it’s okay to loosen your diet regimen a little bit on turkey day, but you should try to keep track of what you’re putting in your body. There are the obvious unhealthy foods we associate with the holidays – stuffing, pecan pie, and so on – but what about the bird itself?
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. It’s important to keep in mind that not all turkey meat is created equal.
We all have our preferences in terms of flavor, but how do white meat and dark meat compare to each other? The rule of thumb is that the darker the meat, the higher the fat content. If you’re trying to keep your fat and cholesterol down this Thanksgiving, make sure to stick with the white meat. It’s also key to go with skinless cuts, as turkey skin is generally the most unhealthy part of the entire bird.
It’s not just the bird itself, it’s also what you do to it. There’s more than one way to skin a cat and there’s definitely more than one way to cook a turkey. Let’s go over a few of the most common methods.
Above all else, making smart food choices shouldn’t stop you from enjoying yourself during this holiday. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!