A nutritional comparison of ground turkey and ground beef (2024)

FAQs

A nutritional comparison of ground turkey and ground beef? ›

Ground beef has 172 calories, 7.9 grams fat and 3.3 grams saturated fat versus ground turkey, which has 170 calories, 9.4 grams fat and 2.5 grams saturated fat. Ground beef has 2.4 grams more protein and has slightly less cholesterol and more iron and zinc than ground turkey.

"Ground turkey contains less saturated fat than ground beef, giving it a more beneficial fat profile," says Beaver. "In its place, ground turkey instead contains more polyunsaturated fat, which is a protective, healthier type of fat."

The Bottom Line

If you're eating for a healthy heart, lean ground turkey—which is lower in saturated fat—is the better pick for you. Of course, you can still enjoy ground beef from time to time, but choosing lean ground turkey more often will help your heart in the long run.

Protein is a macronutrient, which means that your body needs a lot of it. Your body can't store protein, so you need to consume it every day. As long as you don't eat too much turkey, it is a healthy way to get the protein you need. It's also a good source of beneficial vitamins and minerals like magnesium and niacin.

Some cuts of ground beef, such as 95% lean and sirloin, have comparable nutritional values to ground turkey, but fat-free ground turkey is the lowest calorie, leanest cut. Both are excellent protein sources, an essential nutrient for blood sugar management and weight loss.

Our 99% Fat-Free, Antibiotic-Free Ground Turkey Breast is a healthy, nutritious protein base for delicious meals. Each serving has 28 grams of protein and only one gram of fat. It's great in a salad or after a workout!

To summarize, turkey meat has low total lipid, cholesterol, and polyunsaturated fatty acid levels, making it a desirable option for diets aiming at lowering blood cholesterol levels.

High quality, 100% grass fed beef is WAY more accessible, even in a traditional supermarket. A lot of people think they're doing themselves a favor by choosing ground turkey because of the lower fat content, but you can easily just buy a lean ground beef! Not only is this cleaner, it is far more nutritious as well.

Things You Should Know

Check if your turkey has a bad sour-smelling odor to know if it's spoiled. Toss out your ground turkey if it has a slimy texture. Get rid of ground turkey if it darkens or dulls to a dark gray color, a sure sign it's gone bad.

How many times a week should you eat ground beef? ›

If you eat red meat, limit consumption to no more than about three portions per week. Three portions is equivalent to about 350–500g (about 12–18oz) cooked weight. Consume very little, if any, processed meat.

Both ground turkey and beef contain important vitamins and minerals. However, turkey has lower levels of saturated fat, making it a better choice for heart health. For weight loss, choose lower-calorie, fat-free turkey.

Lowering saturated fat is the goal, as eating too much saturated fat can raise LDL cholesterol, increasing the risk for heart disease and stroke. Ground turkey does have less saturated fat, but only by 0.8 grams, and if you're adding egg, salt or cheese for flavor and moisture, it's not making it any heart healthier.

If you choose beef, choose 90 percent lean or higher. Bison and venison are also leaner red meat choices. Poultry such as ground turkey or chicken can be higher in saturated fat and calories if dark meat and skin are used in the mix. If you choose to use ground chicken or turkey, look for breast only.

Butterball All Natural Lean Ground Turkey is a delicious, lean alternative to other ground meats. And because this fresh ground turkey is 93% fat-free, with 22g of protein and 150 calories per serving, using it in your favorite recipes will make them healthier as well as delicious.

Shady Brook is hands down my favorite ground turkey brand. They are consistent and I always know I am going to get a high quality, good tasting product.

Egg Nutrition

Eggs are one of nature's most nutritious foods. Each serving of 2 eggs (105 g) contains 15 essential vitamins and minerals, only 160 calories and an incredible amount of nutrition. The nutrition tables speak for themselves! So include eggs as part of your healthy diet!

In terms of saturated fat, 85 percent lean ground turkey and 85 percent ground beef are not much different. So to save on saturated fat, make sure to choose 93 percent or leaner ground turkey or ground beef.

Potatoes are rich in soluble fibre, which can be consumed by high cholesterol patients without any confusion. Consuming potatoes not only maintains the cholesterol level, but the body also gets many health benefits. Consumption of potatoes in cholesterol is safe only if you consume it properly.

What can I drink to flush out my cholesterol? ›

Cholesterol is often high due to excessive saturated and trans fat consumption. There are certain drinks that can help maintain an ideal cholesterol level. Some of the best drinks for cholesterol management include green tea, pomegranate juice, citrus juice, soy milk, plant-based smoothies, and red wine.

Ground turkey is a great food choice for individuals looking to shed excess weight. It offers several health and nutritional benefits, including: High protein content: Ground turkey is an excellent source of lean protein — a crucial component of any weight loss diet.

Turkey and chicken are often recommended as healthy alternatives to red meat. But if they are preserved, they count as processed meats and are harmful.

Both chicken and turkey provide healthy protein. Generally, chicken tends to be higher in vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid, and turkey tends to be lower in calories, fat, and sodium while having more zinc, niacin, and vitamin B12.