How Much Protein Does Turkey Breast Have?

Turkey and chicken are two of the most popular foods high in protein, even though they can be found in many other foods.

This article compares and contrasts the protein content of chicken and turkey to see which is potentially healthier.

Due to a lower concentration of the protein myoglobin, the color appears whiter in comparison to darker areas of the poultry. The reddish-brown color of darker cuts of meat is caused by myoglobin, which carries and stores oxygen inside the muscle (1)

Because of its high protein and low calorie content, breast meat is one of the most popular cuts of poultry, especially among dieters and fitness enthusiasts.

The protein contents of one ounce (28 grams) of roasted breast meat are contrasted here (2, 3).

With one gram more protein per ounce (28 grams) of meat than turkey, chicken comes in first. However, nutritionally speaking, this difference is negligible. Both options would provide a satisfying protein boost for a meal.

In terms of nutrition, white meat from chicken and turkey wings is quite similar to breast meat. When comparing the protein content of the breast meat of both birds, it is almost the same.

The protein content of one ounce (28 grams) of chicken or turkey wing meat is equal, weighing roughly 9 grams each (4, 5).

This pigment is present in the cuts due to a high myoglobin protein concentration (1)

Dark meat is often associated with more active muscle groups, such as the legs and thighs of chicken and turkey, because myoglobin helps with the transportation and storage of oxygen in the muscle cells (1)

The leg meat of both chicken and turkey, sometimes referred to as a drumstick, offers roughly 8 grams of protein per ounce (28 grams) (6, 7).

In both chicken and turkey, the thigh meat is located directly above the leg. Occasionally, it is sold with the cut still in place on the leg.

Turkey has one more gram of protein per ounce (28 grams) of meat than chicken (8, 9):

In this comparison, turkey thigh meat has a higher protein content, but an ounce’s worth of meat (28 grams) contains only one gram of protein, so the overall impact is unlikely to be significant. Both options are still considered to be excellent sources of premium protein.

Turkey and chicken are both excellent sources of protein and can make wholesome additions to a diet that is well-balanced. However, bear in mind that consuming excessive amounts of any one food, including meat, may be harmful to your health (10)

You can meet your protein needs in a healthy way by including moderate amounts of chicken or turkey in your diet, but these foods also contain other nutrients besides protein.

Protein should be taken into account along with the entire nutrition content, which includes calories, fat, vitamins, and minerals, when determining which choice may best suit your individual nutritional needs and health objectives.

Depending on your health objectives, it may be necessary to pay attention to the calories and fat content of foods.

A balanced diet must include fat, and poultry is a good source of several kinds of healthy fats (10)

But when it comes to calories, fat is denser than protein. Accordingly, meat with higher fat content will have more calories than meat with lower fat content.

Generally, the dark meat of turkey and chicken has more fat than the white meat. This generally holds true for additional varieties of fowl as well.

Compared to dark meat cuts of turkey, dark meat cuts of chicken have somewhat more fat and calories. The white meat of these two varieties of poultry is similarly leaner and lower in calories than that of chicken.

It’s also important to remember that eating the skin will increase the amount of fat and calories in any kind of poultry.

All of this does not imply that one option is superior to another, but it might be something to think about based on your dietary goals.

Although the amount of vitamins and minerals in chicken and turkey is not significantly different, there might be some differences between white and dark meat in general.

For instance, chicken legs have substantially more zinc than chicken breasts, but chicken breasts have higher levels of niacin and vitamin B6 (2, 6).

Therefore, the dark meat might be a better choice if you want to increase your intake of zinc, and the white meat might be a better choice if you want to boost your intake of vitamin B.

When thinking about dietary choices like these, it’s wise to consider the big picture. Consuming a diverse range of foods and meat cuts could be the most effective method to guarantee that you receive the necessary nutrients.

Turkey thighs are marginally higher in protein than chicken thighs, but chicken breasts are slightly higher in protein than turkey breasts. The other meat cuts provide equal amounts of protein.

It’s usually a good idea to take into account the entirety of a food, including its calories and vitamins, rather than just one ingredient, like protein, when determining if it fits into your diet.

Your health will be most effectively supported by eating a variety of foods to ensure an adequate supply of all the nutrients your body needs. Balance is key!.

Our writers update their articles with new information as it becomes available, and our experts keep a close eye on the health and wellness industry.

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