Written by Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD, Mackenthun’s Fine Foods Registered Dietitian
Updated October 30, 2024
The history of turkey as the main protein for Thanksgiving is a mystery. According to Kansas Farm Food Connection, it is believed a collection of Pilgrim journals published in 1856 referenced an abundance of water fowl and wild turkeys during the first Thanksgiving feast.(1) A previous account by writer Sarah Joseph Hale in 1827 described a Thanksgiving feast in a book that highlighted roasted turkey as the centerpiece for the dinner table.(1)
The National Turkey Federation identifies the United States as the largest producer and exporter of turkey in the world with Minnesota ranking number one in the top turkey-producing states.(2) About 88% of Americans consume turkey on Thanksgiving each year while the remainder opt for ham.(3) Though turkey ranks on the bottom of meat consumed outside of Thanksgiving there has been a rise in ground meat turkey sales of 56.3% since 2022.(4)
Some ideas why turkey is not as successful outside of Thanksgiving is the belief that turkey can only be purchased in its whole form. There are many cuts of turkey that are available for purchase such as ground, breast, thighs and legs, and wings which allow consumers to enjoy turkey year round!
Why Eat More Turkey?
Ever wondered why you may feel more calm, relaxed, or tired after a turkey feast? Tryptophan is a protein highly concentrated in turkey; tryptophan is a necessary nutrient for the body to naturally produce melatonin to induce sleep. Additionally a 4-ounce serving of turkey provides approximately 49% of your Vitamin B6 needs. Vitamin B6 is essential for the production of the hormones serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine that are involved in emotional regulation, calmness and relaxation, and the reward/motivation system.
The thyroid is an organ involved in many metabolic processes including in the support of the immune system. Studies show viral infections increase illness rate in persons who consume low amounts of selenium. A 4-ounce serving of turkey delivers approximately 46% of your selenium needs to help reduce the risk of illness. Additionally selenium is critical for the support of a healthy thyroid.
Turkey is a source of zinc that assists the immune system too! Zinc is a nutrient highly concentrated in our DNA. As viruses duplicate within our body which increases our risk and length of being ill, the viruses take some of our body’s zinc to grow in numbers. Our white blood cells also need zinc to increase production and fight back against illness.
Turkey can be used in any recipe that calls for chicken. For persons who would like a more heart-healthy meal, ground turkey can easily be swapped with ground beef for meals like hot dishes, sloppy Joe’s, meat sauce with pasta, and burgers!
Slow-Cooker Pulled Turkey Sandwiches
By Food Network Kitchen
What You Need
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- 4 turkey thighs (about 4-pounds)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and ground black pepper
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Serving suggestions: hamburger buns, hoagies, wraps, pickles, slaw, chips, fries, salad
What You Do
- Spread the onions in the bottom of a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker. Rub the turkey thighs with the chili powder, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and place over the onions. Stir together the ketchup, sugar and mustard and pour over the turkey. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. The turkey should be very tender with the meat falling off the bones.
- Uncover and stir. Let cool for 10 minutes. Using two forks, shred the turkey meat, discarding the bones. Stir in the vinegar and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve on hamburger buns with pickles and/or coleslaw if desired.
References
- Kansas Farm Food Connection. Fun facts about turkey. n.d. Accessed October 30, 2024 from https://kansasfarmfoodconnection.org/spotlights/fun-facts-about-turkey
- National Turkey Federation. Turkey by the numbers. n.d. Accessed October 30, 2024 from https://www.eatturkey.org/turkeystats/#:~:text=The%20United%20States%20is%20the,largest%20exporter%20of%20turkey%20products.
- Leffler S. How many turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving, and how much does one cost?. REAL SIMPLE. Updated October 26, 2023. Accessed October 30, 2024 from https://www.realsimple.com/how-many-turkeys-are-eaten-on-thanksgiving-8373909
- Statista. Dollar sales share of turkey meat in the United States in 2022, by cut type. 2022. Accessed October 30, 2024 from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1008308/turkey-meat-sales-share-by-cut-type/
