Turkey: It ain’t just for holidays, people

Turkeys are the main course for many holiday dinners, and turkey leftovers also make for popular meals once holidays have come and gone.

Although turkeys earn most of their attention during the holiday season, their health benefits can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Turkey contains roughly 34 calories and one gram of fat per ounce (33 grams) of meat. It is low in saturated fat and is a good source of protein. In fact, just one three- to four-ounce serving of turkey provides 65 per cent of a person’s recommended daily intake of protein.

People who are customizing their diets to protect against cancer may want to include turkey on the menu. Turkey contains selenium, which can promote healthy function of the thyroid and boost the immune system.

Selenium also helps to eliminate free radicals in the body through its antioxidant power.

Those who need to increase their B vitamin intake also can turn to turkey. According to Livestrong, a serving of turkey has 36 per cent of the daily allowance of vitamin B3, which helps process fats in the body

It also contains 27 per cent of the RDA for vitamin B6, which helps maintain steady blood sugar levels, among other things. In addition to these vitamins, turkey also is rich in many minerals, including iron, phosphorous, potassium, and zinc.