{"id":1046,"date":"2020-11-18T14:30:36","date_gmt":"2020-11-18T19:30:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/manhattancardiology.com\/is-turkey-good-for-your-heart\/"},"modified":"2026-07-27T00:51:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T04:51:17","slug":"is-turkey-good-for-your-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/manhattancardiology.com\/es\/blog\/is-turkey-good-for-your-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Turkey Good For Your Heart?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If there\u2019s a natural cheat day built into the calendar, Thanksgiving is probably it. In general, it\u2019s okay to loosen your diet regimen a little bit on turkey day, but you should try to keep track of what you\u2019re putting in your body. There are the obvious unhealthy foods<\/a> we associate with the holidays – stuffing, pecan pie, and so on – but what about the bird itself?<\/p>\n

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\u2019s important to keep in mind that not all turkey meat is created equal.<\/p>\n

White Meat vs Dark Meat<\/h2>\n

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\u2019re trying to keep your fat and cholesterol down this Thanksgiving, make sure to stick with the white meat. It\u2019s also key to go with skinless cuts, as turkey skin is generally the most unhealthy part of the entire bird.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the Healthiest Way to Cook a Turkey?<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s not just the bird itself, it\u2019s also what you do to it. There\u2019s more than one way to skin a cat and there\u2019s definitely more than one way to cook a turkey. Let\u2019s go over a few of the most common methods.<\/p>\n

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  • Frying:<\/strong><\/em> Deep fried turkey may taste delicious, but it should come as no surprise that this is one of the most unhealthy methods of preparation. The oil that is absorbed by the skin of the turkey during the deep frying process sends the fat and calorie content skyrocketing.<\/li>\n
  • Smoking or Grilling:<\/strong><\/em> These processes are both more or less fine in terms of adding calories or saturated fat to your turkey, but it\u2019s important to keep in mind that heavy charing can cause an increased risk of cancer.<\/li>\n
  • Brining:<\/strong> <\/em>Brining isn\u2019t too unhealthy as far as cooking methods go, but it does increase your turkey\u2019s sodium content, which can cause plaque buildup and make your heart have to work harder.<\/li>\n
  • Roasting:<\/strong><\/em> Now we\u2019re talking. Roasting your turkey in its own juices is the healthiest way to go. Instead of adding salt or butter, try using fresh herbs for seasoning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n