Is Ground Turkey really that good for you?
brandie_lou
Posts: 46
I just made some turkey tacos with a small tube of Butterball ground turkey. But the tube is like 1,000 (for a small tube) but yet the taco kit I got (Old El Paso says that for 2 tacos, 2 tbsp salsa, 2 tbsp seasoning and filled with 2 tbsp lean ground beef is only 250 calories). But yet the ground turkey is almost over 300 for 4 oz (before cooked). The packet of seasoning seems pretty crazy, too.
So when I just put together my turkey taco recipe, it doesn't seem that healthy? It seems that it would be? Any pointers?
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/edit/16630179
So when I just put together my turkey taco recipe, it doesn't seem that healthy? It seems that it would be? Any pointers?
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/edit/16630179
0
Replies
-
Depends on how lean the turkey is that you bought. If you get 95-99% lean, then yes, it is good for you. I generally find when I'm shopping that the stuff that comes in the tubes isn't all that lean. You can also try ground chicken....0
-
Use a leaner ground turkey. Jeannie-O ground turkey (93/7, I think) is 160 calories for 4 oz.0
-
I don't know. I just find ground turkey to be disgusting. My first husband had gout and was told to eat it in place of hamburger. After getting a good state of it. I figure he could just have a sore toe. Lol0
-
Use a leaner ground turkey. Jeannie-O ground turkey (93/7, I think) is 160 calories for 4 oz.
^^ This.0 -
no, 85/15 is as bad for you as 85/15 meat from other sources.0
-
Depends on how lean the turkey is that you bought. If you get 95-99% lean, then yes, it is good for you. I generally find when I'm shopping that the stuff that comes in the tubes isn't all that lean. You can also try ground chicken....
Because fat is bad for you, amirite?0 -
I use 93/7 ground turkey and then drain all the fat and oil once the meat is done cooking. So I would expect it to be as lean as 98-99% turkey. But the leaner you go, the less "stuff" like ligaments, tendons, and bone fragments are in there. 85/15 is terrible cuz you're always picking out "stuff" from your teeth...0
-
I use 93/7 ground turkey in package - not tube - all the time. I substitute it for everything I'd use ground beef for - tacos, ziti with meat, meatloaf, meatballs, and even hamburgers on occasion - and most people don't even notice the difference. I find that when I put in my normal seasonings - anything with garlic - I cant taste the difference!0
-
Depends on how lean the turkey is that you bought. If you get 95-99% lean, then yes, it is good for you. I generally find when I'm shopping that the stuff that comes in the tubes isn't all that lean. You can also try ground chicken....
Because fat is bad for you, amirite?
It's because of the saturated fat........
being an essential part of the diet.0 -
It is definitely all about the % of fat in this case. Also, try making your own taco seasoning to avoid all of the junk in store-bought. Here's one that turns out great: http://tinyurl.com/celc8r50
-
I'll pay closer attention. I thought they were all the same. Each day, education, education.
Thanks guys.0 -
Use a leaner ground turkey. Jeannie-O ground turkey (93/7, I think) is 160 calories for 4 oz.
Agree.0 -
It is definitely all about the % of fat in this case. Also, try making your own taco seasoning to avoid all of the junk in store-bought. Here's one that turns out great: http://tinyurl.com/celc8r5
Whats wrong with store bought taco seasoning?0 -
I think it's better. Tastes pretty much the same to me too and the kids can't tell the difference. Better in sodium too, which is why we use that instead of beef--for hubby.0
-
It is definitely all about the % of fat in this case. Also, try making your own taco seasoning to avoid all of the junk in store-bought. Here's one that turns out great: http://tinyurl.com/celc8r5
Whats wrong with store bought taco seasoning?
Umm, yeah. My taco seasoning has:
Spices (including chili pepeprs, cumin, oregano, and red pepper), onion, Whey solids (milk), salt, sugar, paprika, garlic, potato starch and citric acid.
Where's the "added junk"? Whey solids and potato starch probably make it thick when you add it to the meat. Citric acid is something you can buy and is a weak organic acid. It is a natural preservative/conservative.
Salt? Well salt is salt and while sugar is probably not necessary it gives it a little bit of taste is my guess.
So again, where is all the "added junk"?:huh:
ETA: This is literally a recipe that you could probably use to make it from home.0 -
I just use 93% of any meat, could care less about the type0
-
Depends on how lean the turkey is that you bought. If you get 95-99% lean, then yes, it is good for you. I generally find when I'm shopping that the stuff that comes in the tubes isn't all that lean. You can also try ground chicken....
Because fat is bad for you, amirite?
I'm assuming that someone who posts this type of question is still striving for weight loss and probably doesn't have a lot of knowledge on the topic of good vs bad fats.0 -
You can make some awesome tacos with ingredients that don't come in tubes and packets. As far as turkey goes, I use ground turkey and turkey bacon a lot, primarily because I'm watching my saturated fat intake...generally speaking, it is leaner than ground beef or pork but that's not always the case; you have to read the label. When I'm within my sat fat goals, I opt for beef and occasionally real bacon. Turkey gets old. Regardless, I have beef twice/week...gotta have steak and gotta have burger.0
-
Use a leaner ground turkey. Jeannie-O ground turkey (93/7, I think) is 160 calories for 4 oz.
Took the words out of my mouth.
Also, steer clear of any meat in a tube0 -
The Oct. 2012 Runners Mag lists ground turkey as a food to avoid due to high sodium and saturated fat content. They list skinless chicken thighs or turkey legs as a better option. It's a 9 page article on good, better, and best foods as well as foods to avoid and why. Interesting and informative.0
-
Use a leaner ground turkey. Jeannie-O ground turkey (93/7, I think) is 160 calories for 4 oz.
^^^^ This. I cook with it all the time. Haven't cooked with ground beef in over 20 years.0 -
I get the 97/3 ground turkey not in the tube. I also cook and drain the grease and rinse the meat. I also have noticed that the premade taco seasoning is a bit high on the sodium side of things so I have some great pampered chef seasonings that I use that aren't as high. Best of luck! :flowerforyou:0
-
Taco seasoning made at home takes about one minute to make, tastes fresher and more vivid, and doesn't contain MSG. Okay that's fine if you can get taco seasoning without dubious ingredients, but last time I went to the store, both Old El Paso and Ortega listed Monosodium Glutamate for all their taco seasoning products. You might want to look again just in case.
Anyway, turkey is a lean meat, I agree it tastes good in certain contexts. In others, you may not enjoy the "gumminess" of the texture. Is it healthier for you than red meat? Yes, if you have a problem with cholesterol or saturated fat. Or if the difference in calories is significant to you (low calorie does not always mean healthier). I do sometimes replace beef with turkey, if it tastes good, but since I don't eat a lot of saturated fat and my cholesterol is not problematic, it's not really a huge concern0 -
Taco seasoning made at home takes about one minute to make, tastes fresher and more vivid, and doesn't contain MSG. Okay that's fine if you can get taco seasoning with it, but last time I went to the store, both Old El Paso and Ortega listed Monosodium Glutamate for all their taco seasoning products. You might want to look again just in case
No MSG on my grocery store brand taco seasoning.0 -
No MSG on my grocery store brand taco seasoning.
Do you mind sharing the brand? I don't know if anything local to me has their own store brand0 -
Taco seasoning made at home takes about one minute to make, tastes fresher and more vivid, and doesn't contain MSG. Okay that's fine if you can get taco seasoning without dubious ingredients, but last time I went to the store, both Old El Paso and Ortega listed Monosodium Glutamate for all their taco seasoning products. You might want to look again just in case.
Anyway, turkey is a lean meat, I agree it tastes good in certain contexts. In others, you may not enjoy the "gumminess" of the texture. Is it healthier for you than red meat? Yes, if you have a problem with cholesterol or saturated fat. Or if the difference in calories is significant to you (low calorie does not always mean healthier). I do sometimes replace beef with turkey, if it tastes good, but since I don't eat a lot of saturated fat and my cholesterol is not problematic, it's not really a huge concern
What is wrong with MSG?0 -
Jeez a lot of hate on the homemade seasoning lol. I'm not going to go out and find a packet with 'junk' in it, but yeah, they are out there and making your own is easy. If you don't want to, don't! JUST a SUGGESTION!0
-
Taco seasoning made at home takes about one minute to make, tastes fresher and more vivid, and doesn't contain MSG. Okay that's fine if you can get taco seasoning without dubious ingredients, but last time I went to the store, both Old El Paso and Ortega listed Monosodium Glutamate for all their taco seasoning products. You might want to look again just in case.
Anyway, turkey is a lean meat, I agree it tastes good in certain contexts. In others, you may not enjoy the "gumminess" of the texture. Is it healthier for you than red meat? Yes, if you have a problem with cholesterol or saturated fat. Or if the difference in calories is significant to you (low calorie does not always mean healthier). I do sometimes replace beef with turkey, if it tastes good, but since I don't eat a lot of saturated fat and my cholesterol is not problematic, it's not really a huge concern
What is wrong with MSG?0 -
Taco seasoning made at home takes about one minute to make, tastes fresher and more vivid, and doesn't contain MSG. Okay that's fine if you can get taco seasoning with it, but last time I went to the store, both Old El Paso and Ortega listed Monosodium Glutamate for all their taco seasoning products. You might want to look again just in case
No MSG on my grocery store brand taco seasoning.
Hope you're not using lettuce0 -
No MSG on my grocery store brand taco seasoning.
Do you mind sharing the brand? I don't know if anything local to me has their own store brand
I don't know where you're from but it's a local store that's in Massachusetts and Connecticut: Big Y is the name/brand of the stuff. They actually make quite a few things that don't have added crap in it. I read and compare labels on everything that I buy for the added garbage.0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.6K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.8K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions