In just a few days, many of us will be enjoying a Thanksgiving turkey. Whether you prefer to roast, fry, or sous-vide your turkey, there are benefits to eating this native bird. So let’s talk about turkey:
Turkey is particularly high in protein, B vitamins, selenium, and zinc.
Does eating turkey make you sleepy?
Turkey is high in the amino acid, tryptophan. When tryptophan reaches the brain, it is turned into serotonin, which makes us sleepy. However, tryptophan must enter the brain without other nutrients present. Because turkey is rich in other nutrients, not much tryptophan is able to enter the brain. So the answer is no, turkey itself does not make us sleepy. We likely feel tired after Thanksgiving dinner because of the energy it takes our body to digest a larger meal.
What’s the difference between white and dark meat?
The color of the meat is determined by the the amount of myoglobin (a protein that binds oxygen) in the type of muscle. Turkey legs have higher amounts of myoglobin, giving this part of the turkey a darker color. White meat contains less saturated fat, but dark meat contains the majority of the bird’s vitamins and minerals. There are also studies that suggest dark meat can help lower cholesterol levels.
Make sure to always cook turkey to 165°F.
Completely (and safely) defrost a frozen turkey before cooking it!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Information gathered & adapted from:
https://www.hopkinsallchildrens.org/Patients-Families/Health-Library/HealthDocNew/Does-Eating-Turkey-Make-Me-Sleepy
https://www.todaysdietitian.com/enewsletter/enews_1216_01.shtml
Easy Turkey Gravy
Ingredients
2 1/4 – 2 1/2 cups juice from pan that you cooked turkey in (top with chicken or turkey stock if needed)
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
cracked pepper
Preparation
1.Melt the butter in a pot over low heat. Whisk in the flour. Continue to cook and whisk for 1-2 minutes.
2.Add 1/2 cup of the juice from the turkey pan. Whisk until you get a paste-like consistency.
3.Continue to add the rest of the liquid in 1/2 cup portions, whisking mixture, until the gravy is smooth.
4.Simmer gravy until it thickens to desired consistency. Add cracker pepper to taste. You can also add other herbs, such as fresh sage or thyme.
Serving Size: 1/2 cup gravy
Nutrition Information per Serving: 9 grams total fat, 5 grams saturated fat, 7 grams carbohydrate,0 grams fiber, 3 grams protein, 1 milligram sodium, 107 milligrams potassium, 2 grams sugar
Recipe adapted from:
https://cookeatshare.com/recipes/easy-turkey-gravy-796882
