So you’ve heard about the health benefits of going on a diet filled with fresh fruits, veggies, and other healthy foods—and that may have you wondering if a similar set of rules might also apply to food from other cultures. But can the same principles of eating habits also be applied to another culture? Given the increase in popularity of so many different international cuisines in recent years, it’s fair to assume that weight loss is something that can be found in virtually any type of food. But what about the combination of food as we know it now, and whether or not they are good for weight loss? In this article, we’ll explore just what makes Turkish cuisine so unique and see if it has anything to offer with regard to weight loss.
Is Turkey Good For Weight Loss?
Yes, Turkey can be good for weight loss. There are two kinds of turkey: dark meat and white meat. Dark meat is high in protein, fat, and calories and is fine for weight loss. However, white meat is lower in calories and can help you lose weight.
Why is Turkey Good For Weight Loss?
1. Turkey Is High In Protein
Turkey is abundant in protein. It’s a good source of protein, and turkey has about 24 grams of protein per serving. This is a large amount of protein for just one serving.
2. Turkey Has Low-Carbohydrate Content
Turkey has a low level of carbohydrates compared to other meats such as beef, pork, or chicken. This means that it contains fewer carbohydrates than these other meats and can be used as part of your weight loss plan.
3. Turkey Is High In Iron
Turkey is also rich in iron. One serving contains about 15% of the daily recommended value of iron for men and 13% for women (14% for vegetarians). Iron helps with the production of hemoglobin which plays an important role in transporting oxygen through your body’s circulatory system and helping to transport nutrients such as glucose around your body’s cells.
4. Turkey Is High In Other Nutrients
Turkey also contains a number of other nutrients including vitamins B6 and B12, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and selenium.
5. Turkey Is Low In Calories
Turkey has about 155 calories per serving which is much lower than the average chicken breast (400 calories) or beef steak (250 calories). This means that turkey can help to keep your diet on track if you’re trying to lose weight.
6. Turkey Contains Low Amounts Of Fat
Turkey contains less fat than other meats such as chicken or beef and is a healthy choice for those who are trying to lose weight because it’s low in fat and calories. One serving of turkey contains about 5 grams of fat (0% of your daily recommended value). This means that you can eat turkey with confidence knowing that it won’t add too many unwanted calories to your diet even if you were to eat it several times per week.
7. Turkey Is A Good Source Of Carotenoids And Vitamin A
Turkey contains a number of carotenoids and vitamin A. One serving contains about 2% of your daily recommended value for carotenoids and vitamin A. Carotenoids are antioxidants that help to protect your body from free radical damage and boost your immune system. Vitamin A is important for vision, bone growth, reproduction, cellular growth and development, skin health, and the immune system.
8. Turkey Is High In Selenium
Selenium is an important mineral that helps to regulate your metabolism (how you use energy), protect against cancer, maintain healthy blood pressure levels, prevent thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism and goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland), promote healthy hair growth and function of the reproductive system. One serving (3 ounces) contains about 100 micrograms of selenium which is about 10% of the daily recommended value for adults between ages 19-50.
Benefits Of A Diet Based On Turkish Food
1. Turkey Is A Good Choice For Diabetics
Turkey is a good choice for diabetics because it is low in carbohydrates and has a low glycemic index. It also contains the type of protein found in meat that can help to stabilize blood sugar levels.
2. Turkey Contains Many Antioxidants
Turkey contains many antioxidants such as vitamin A, vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium, and zinc. Antioxidants are important because they prevent your body from oxidizing itself and damage from free radicals which can cause disease in your cells.
3. Turkey Has Fewer Calories Than Other Meats
Turkey has about 155 calories per serving which is much lower than the average chicken breast (400 calories) or beef steak (250 calories). This means that turkey can help to keep your diet on track if you’re trying to lose weight.
4. Turkey Contains Low Amounts Of Fat
Turkey contains less fat than other meats such as beef, chicken, pork, and lamb. Turkey has about 1% fat which is much lower than beef which has about 4% and chicken which has about 4.5%. This means that turkey is a good choice for those who are trying to lose weight because it is low in fat.
5. Turkey Contains Good Amounts Of Protein
Turkey contains about 17 grams of protein per serving which is a good amount to help you maintain muscle mass while losing weight or if you just want to build muscle mass and strength without putting on too much body fat.
6. Turkey Contains A Variety Of Vitamins And Minerals
Turkey contains many vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium, zinc, and others including potassium, phosphorous, riboflavin (vitamin B2), thiamin (vitamin B1), and niacin (vitamin B3). It also contains minerals such as calcium, iron, and phosphorus among others.
Cons Of A Diet Based On Turkish Food
1. Turkey Is Not A Good Choice For Vegetarians
Turkey is not a good choice for vegetarians because it has been processed and contains many ingredients in addition to meat.
2. Turkey Contains Many Ingredients That Are Not Good For Your Health
Turkey contains many ingredients that are not good for your health such as high fructose corn syrup, MSG, and others. These ingredients may be unhealthy but they are still added to the turkey which means that you can’t avoid them completely.
3. Turkey Is Not Healthy For Those Who Are Trying To Lose Weight
Turkey is not healthy for those who are trying to lose weight because it is low in fat and calories. This means that if you’re trying to lose weight you will have to eat more turkey than if you were eating other meats so that your body gets enough calories and nutrients from other food sources as well.
4. Turkey Isn’t Good For Those Who Want To Build Muscle Mass
Turkey isn’t good for those who are trying to build muscle mass because it is low in fat and high in protein so it will be hard to build muscle if you eat a lot of turkeys.
5. Turkey Is Not Good For Those Who Are Trying To Maintain Muscle Mass
Turkey isn’t good for those who are trying to maintain muscle mass because it is high in protein which is good for building muscle but not if you want to maintain your current level of muscle mass.
6. Turkey Is Not Good For Those Who Are Trying To Lose Weight
Turkey isn’t good for those who are trying to lose weight because it contains many ingredients that aren’t healthy and maybe unhealthy like high fructose corn syrup, MSG, and others.
7. Turkey Contains Too Much Salt
Turkey contains too much sodium (salt) which can make you retain water weight which is not healthy if you want to lose weight or if you have health issues like high blood pressure.
Final Words
As you can see, there are a number of pros and cons to eating a diet that is heavily influenced by Turkish cuisine. While a diet based on traditional Turkish food is incredibly healthy and beneficial for weight loss, it might not be the right fit for everyone. That said if you’re looking to lose weight while eating a variety of fresh foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals, a diet based on traditional Turkish food is an excellent place to start.
