Why the ground turkey craze?

LaurenAOK

Ever since I decided to get healthy, I've heard "ground turkey is healthier than ground beef." I love ground beef (mmm tacos) and I always get the extra lean kind, so I never planned to give it up. But today I decided to get some ground turkey for taco night, just to see. It was very good, but when I went to look at the nutritional info I was quite surprised. When compared to the extra lean ground beef I normally get, the turkey seemed worse on pretty much every front. Here are the stats from MFP:

Harvest Land Fresh Lean Ground Turkey
Serving size: 4oz
Calories 170
Sodium 105 mg
Total Fat 9 g
Saturated 3 g
Protein 20 g
Cholesterol 90 mg

Trader Joe's Extra Lean Ground Beef (96/4)
Serving size: 4oz
Calories 130
Sodium 65 mg
Total Fat 4g
Potassium 390 mg
Saturated 2g
Protein 21g
Cholesterol 60 mg

(All values not listed were 0)

So the ground beef has less calories, less fat, less cholesterol, less sodium, and MORE protein. Am I missing something here? I think I'll stick with my ground beef...

firemanfive0

I am with you on this!! I think it is the anti-red meat craze that is driving this.

PriceK01

Some people have a bizarre craving for beaks and feet?

dirtnap63

Maybe you should try comparing extra lean ground turkey instead of just lean ground turkey. Also consumption of too much red meat has been shown to be unhealthy.

Topher1978

Ever since I decided to get healthy, I've heard "ground turkey is healthier than ground beef." I love ground beef (mmm tacos) and I always get the extra lean kind, so I never planned to give it up. But today I decided to get some ground turkey for taco night, just to see. It was very good, but when I went to look at the nutritional info I was quite surprised. When compared to the extra lean ground beef I normally get, the turkey seemed worse on pretty much every front. Here are the stats from MFP:

Harvest Land Fresh Lean Ground Turkey
Serving size: 4oz
Calories 170
Sodium 105 mg
Total Fat 9 g
Saturated 3 g
Protein 20 g
Cholesterol 90 mg

Trader Joe's Extra Lean Ground Beef (96/4)
Serving size: 4oz
Calories 130
Sodium 65 mg
Total Fat 4g
Potassium 390 mg
Saturated 2g
Protein 21g
Cholesterol 60 mg

(All values not listed were 0)

So the ground beef has less calories, less fat, less cholesterol, less sodium, and MORE protein. Am I missing something here? I think I'll stick with my ground beef...

Hmm, well I buy the extra lean when I buy it, and only when it is on sale because it is about to go bad, I get the 90/10, so it is good. Not like what you posted. If it was like that, I would certainly go for beef.

lporter229

Absolutely agree. I use ground turkey when the flavor fits the recipe better. It's a little milder, so when I'm making Greek burgers or other things with strong flavors, I tend to use the turkey. otherwise, I go for lean beef. For me, ground turkey is ground turkey, not ground beef substitute.

MusicInMyHeart

I always find that ground turkey has more sodium than regular ground beef. I'll stick to my 93/7 sirloin.

dsmpunk

It all has to do with how lean the meat is. IMO 99% lean turkey tastes better than the 98% hamburger.

If I get beef its 80/20 all the way.

Topher1978

Your figure most be off. Fatty ground beef is 80/20....your turkey figure shows 68/32 and your beef figure shows about 80/20. Those are both very fatty for ground beef. The turkey is sausage with that much fat.

LaurenAOK

Maybe you should try comparing extra lean ground turkey instead of just lean ground turkey. Also consumption of too much red meat has been shown to be unhealthy.

Ah, I wasn't aware they made extra lean ground turkey as well. The kind I got was the only kind I saw at the store.

And I thought the reason red meat was said to be unhealthy was mainly from the cholesterol factor? If not, could you link me to some kind of study to support what you're talking about? (I'm not trying to argue, I'm genuinely curious).

jmc0806

It's probably because most grocery stores don't offer 96/4 ground beef, but I agree I'd rather stick with beef

luvs2read1979

Maybe it is the price. I know that extra lean ground beef is more expensive than "regular" ground beef and ground turkey is reasonably priced.

samantha1242

It depends the recipe I am making. I use ground turkey if it fits, or ground beef if that works better. I prefer the taste of ground turkey to ground beef though. I usually only use ground beef for tacos or burritos. I didn't know there was a ground turkey craze.

Topher1978

Well, you're right... wierd...

RunningOnPurple

The turkey burgers that I buy (and love) are a 1/3 pound burger. They have 160 calories and 5 grams of fat. (So, they are 1 1/3 ounces larger and have fewer calories.) They are 95% fat free and the only kind that I will buy. Any other kind of ground turkey, especially those with dark meat added are just gross.

SomeoneSomeplace

You should really be comparing two TJ's brands if you're going to do that, they're a heath food store so of course their meat is going to be lower fat, sodium, etc

Chauncey's Cuboard - Trader Joe's 99% Fat Free Ground Turkey
4 OZ

Calories 120 Sodium 55 mg
Total Fat 1 g Potassium 260 mg
Saturated 0 g Total Carbs 0 g
Polyunsaturated 0 g Dietary Fiber 0 g
Monounsaturated 0 g Sugars 0 g
Trans 0 g Protein 28 g
Cholesterol 70 mg
Vitamin A 0% Calcium 0%
Vitamin C 0% Iron 6%

I hate all ground meat, just figured this is a way to make it a fairer fight/comparison.

12skipafew99100

while you're at it, have you ever compared turkey bacon to regular pork bacon? You might be surprised. :noway:


Also, there is a big difference between ground turkey and ground turkey breast.

Topher1978

Dang.... I was so mistaken on the 80/20 type rationing. I was certain that it was protein to fat ratio, but it is meat to fat, which means it is much more fat than I thought. I had been reading that wrong for, well, forever!!!

determined2lose89

I don't like the taste of ground beef, prefer ground turkey.

dakitten2

Depends on the ground turkey you are buying. I buy Perdue Fit and Easy Fresh Ground Turkey Breast - 99% Fat Free.

Serving Size 4 ounces

Calories 120

Sodium 55 mg

Total Fat 1 g

Protein 28 g

Cholesterol 70 mg

Calcium 2%

Iron 8%

I'll use the ground turkey wherever I can because of limiting red meat. But if I do use ground beef, which I love, I buy the Laura's Lean 96/4.

meshashesha2012

because not everyone eats beef and ground chicken is more difficult to come by, ground lamb is delicious but more expensive.

i could care less of how how healthy it is or isnt. i like burgers and meat in my chili and the way it tastes and smells, beef makes me want to vomit

sillygoosie

Because beef hurts my tummy.

amandavictoria80

The nutritional info on my 'extra lean ground beef' and 'extra lean ground turkey' are very different but the turkey is the winner.

Acg67

Easy, because people hate their taste buds

coffee_rocks

I can't eat beef - it doesn't like me - so ground turkey and chicken are the only ways I can enjoy a burger, or chili, or meatloaf...

That, and I like the taste better.

Topher1978

I think I just swore off ground turkey...

rebasporty

The store grocery store I shop at makes their own 50/50 blend of 100% turkey and 90/10 sirloin. I think it tastes much better than just ground turkey. We enjoy beef and my husband does not really care for just ground turkey so the blend works well for us.

LaurenAOK

Maybe it is the price. I know that extra lean ground beef is more expensive than "regular" ground beef and ground turkey is reasonably priced.

This could well be a factor. I didn't notice the price of the turkey as I was shopping in a hurry, but it may have been cheaper than the beef I normally get.

LaurenAOK

Thanks for the responses, everyone - like I said, I didn't realize they made leaner ground turkey. The kind I got was the only kind they had at my store (I shop at a small wal-mart). I personally will stick with ground beef because it's easier to find the leaner variety near where I live, but I can see why people would prefer turkey if it is available.

VelociMama

I loathe ground turkey. Good lean ground beef tastes better and is perfectly fine.

Don't even get me started on turkey bacon... BLECH

acogg

I like ground turkey, I grind my own during Thanksgiving turkey sales. A 22 lb. bird bought for 49 cents a pound is enough to last our home for a year. Just in time for the next sale. Although, I do have to admit an embarassing moment. The first time I made ground turkey patties as a substitute for ground beef patties, I was shocked that it smelled like roasted turkey. I was expecting the smell of beef. How dumb is that?