Are Turkey Wings Healthy?
Whether you smother them in white sauce or bake them until crispy, turkey wings are a meal that comes with many benefits. They are affordable, easy to make, and filled with flavor. But are turkey wings healthy?
Turkey wings come with many benefits for your health. They are dark meat, meaning they contain more fat and protein than white meats such as turkey breast. Turkey meat, in general, is a great source of iron, zinc, phosphorus, selenium, and calcium.
Filled with all kinds of nutrients, turkey wings are a delectable meal that has been on my menu ever since I started cooking. In the following lines, I will explain what makes them healthy, how they differ from chicken wings, and how to make the most of them.
Are Turkey Wings Good for You?
With proteins and various nutrients, turkey wings can benefit your health. Due to the fact that they are dark meat, they contain more cholesterol and sodium than white meat.
They are a good choice if you are looking for a way to increase your good cholesterol. If you already have high cholesterol, it would be wise to skip such meals.
On the other hand, food like turkey wings works wonders on your skin. They contain vitamins and micronutrients that help your body to produce collagen, which has an anti-aging effect. Collagen helps your skin regain elasticity and look healthier, and instead of supplements, you can get it from turkey wings — its natural source.
Since it is packed with proteins, which play an important role in forming cells, turkey wings are a perfect meal after heavy workouts.
Turkey wings contain tryptophan, an amino acid that, among other beneficial functions, helps the body to create serotonin. [1] That means eating turkey wings makes you happier. It can also make you a bit sleepy because this amino acid helps produce melatonin.
What Are the Nutritional Facts of Turkey Wings?
Turkey’s wings come with various vitamins and minerals. They are a great source of B-complex vitamins, especially B6 and B12, as well as vitamins A and D. They also include iron, zinc, selenium, and phosphorus.
Selenium, for instance, regulates metabolism and produces thyroid hormones. 100 grams of this meat comes with 22,7 micrograms of selenium. And, with 1,28 milligrams of zinc and 0,73 milligrams of iron, turkey wings benefit your skin and your blood picture. [2] Iron is crucial for red blood cell production, and zinc repairs your skin.
The 100 grams of turkey wings have around 24 grams of protein — almost half the recommended daily amount. [3] Protein helps build cells and repair damaged tissue. Because of that, this food is ideal for children, pregnant women, and those who work out daily.
Are Turkey Wings Good for Weight Loss?
Turkey meat is great for weight loss due to its large content of proteins. Eating turkey wings will help you keep your stomach full longer.
Though they have more fat and calories in comparison to white meat, like chicken breast, they are still useful because they also contain a large portion of water. That is especially beneficial if you are on a low-fat, low-carb, or low-calorie diet.
Are Turkey Wings Better Than Chicken Wings?
Chicken wings contain slightly more sodium, fat, and calories than turkey wings. They are also more dominant when it comes to micronutrients, a.k.a vitamin A and B-complex vitamins, such as B1, B2, B3, and B5, and folate. On the other hand, chicken wings lack macro minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and copper. [4]
This data doesn’t necessarily mean that one is better than the other. In fact, that all depends on your diet. If you wish to reduce carbs or sodium intake, turkey wings are a good choice. And, if you need food with a lower glycemic index, chicken wings should be included in your menu.
What Is a Good Side Dish for Turkey Wings?
Well-done turkey wings are not only a source of minerals but a culinary delight as well. Numerous side dishes compliment their savory taste, and each of these additions reveals a completely new side of this meal.
The basic version of oven-baked turkey wings usually includes cooked rice. You can make a simple twist on this meal by adding spices such as curry or paprika, mixed up with some corn.
I enjoy serving them with dips, like sweet chili or Szechuan sauce. Peanut sauce, salsa, and guacamole can also be good choices.
If you prefer serving this type of meat with greenery, creamy spinach sauce is one of the options. And, if that seems plain, try mushrooms stuffed with spinach, bacon and mozzarella, ricotta, or any other cheese suitable for baking.
Garlic mashed potato is also one of my favorites. It is a simple meal that allows improvising to some degree. Aside from garlic, you can also add red cabbage, parsley, oregano, butter, or olive oil.
Pan-fried asparagus with garlic also makes an amazing side dish. Since it is crunchy, it will provide a change in texture for the entire meal, and it will not take more than 10 minutes to make it.
Apple coleslaw is one of the healthier additions to your turkey wings. In the end, if you wish to avoid baking and frying, cucumber salad works quite well with this type of meat.
