The star of the table on Thanksgiving Day is, without a doubt, the turkey. In fact, Americans have doubled their turkey consumption over the past 50 years, not just during the holidays, but throughout the entire year. Today, we consume an average of 16 pounds of turkey per person annually, totaling approximately 5.3 billion pounds nationwide. Much of this increase is due to the health benefits associated with this bird.
Turkey is an excellent source of high-quality protein, which helps our bodies build and repair bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, blood, and other tissues. Roasted turkey is naturally low in fat, with white meat containing even less fat than dark meat. However, depending on how you brine, baste, or cook your turkey, you may unintentionally add extra fat or sodium.
