Round One: Nutrition
(Per 100g)
Protein (Human building blocks):
White meat = 30g Dark meat = 28g
Fat (Energy and much more):
White meat = 4g Dark meat = 8g
Calories (Total energy):
White meat = 161 Dark meat = 192
Iron (Needed so that blood can do it’s job):
White meat = 1.57mg Dark meat = 2.4mg
Zinc (Build a strong immune system):
White meat = 2.08mg Dark meat = 4.3mg
Folate (a B vitamin – active people love these):
White meat = .01mcg Dark meat = 10mcg
Round Two: Taste and Leftover Potential
When it comes to taste, dark turkey meat offers an undeniably richer taste than white meat, I love it, but its higher fat content also lends itself to tasting a bit more on the slimy side, which may detract those who are sensitive to their food’s texture, or prefer lighter-tasting meals.
Then there’s cooking with leftover turkey. Dark meat’s higher fat content gives it a juicier flavor and therefore protects it from suffering from the dry taste that accompanies white meat turkey once it has sat in the refrigerator for a few days.
Therefore, for a sandwich, salad or soup protein-punch, dark turkey meat is the clear winner.
Post-Match Commentary
Drumstick-lovers rejoice as this time Dark Meat is the winner!
Dark turkey meat delivers a much more nutrient-dense wallop than white turkey meat. With greater amounts of vitamin B like riboflavin, thiamine and folate and minerals like iron and zinc, dark turkey meat’s sullied reputation for being too high in fat deserves to be overturned considering these impressive nutrition numbers.
When it comes to calories and fat, the difference between the two is negligible. In fact, dark turkey meat contains a mere 30 calories more than white meat and just an additional four grams of fat. As we now all know, fat doesn’t have to be the enemy it was, just try to buy good quality as much as possible. Consider your desert the point where you add to your unavoidable Christmas food baby, don’t blame the Turkey!
