It’s a time of gratitude and giving thanks for all the wonderful things in your life.
And if you didn’t know it … an attitude of gratitude is actually good for your overall health. It helps relax you, makes you feel less stressed, and bolsters your immune system.
But there’s something else you should know about this time of year. It’s something that’s commonly eaten during this holiday season (including Christmas!) – and as it turns out, it’s great for your health.
Read on to find out what it is … and how it can help you stay healthy.
4 Reasons Why Eating Turkey Does A Body Good!
Turkey is the bird of choice when it comes to celebrating the holiday season.
And while it can be incredibly tasty and satisfying, it is also great for your overall health.
Take a look:
Great source of Tryptophan – This amino-acid is needed to make serotonin – the “Feel good” hormone “in your body”. It helps bolster your immune system too. As well, tryptophan helps your body in the production of melatonin which can help you sleep better and sounder (just think of how sleepy you feel when you indulge in a little too much turkey!).
Plenty of Vitamin B – This vitamin is critical to your overall health. Turkey contains two forms of vitamin B: Vitamin B3 (niacin) and Vitamin B6. Niacin has an incredible array of health benefits. It can boost your HDL “good” cholesterol by over 20% … it can help reduce triglycerides … and can even help reduce LDL “bad” cholesterol. Vitamin B6 helps keep your brain functioning at optimal levels and helps create new red blood cells.
It may even help in the fight against cancer! That’s because turkey is a good source of selenium. This trace mineral has been shown in numerous studies to have anti-cancer properties. Other studies show that taking a selenium supplement can also be effective for lowering high cholesterol. So in effect, you get a powerful one-two punch in health benefits with this little-talked about mineral.
Plenty of protein: Protein is the building block of muscle. And your body needs critical amino acids to conduct everyday functions. Turkey contains up to 32 grams of protein for just a 4-ounce serving. Numerous studies have shown that eating a diet that’s a little higher in protein helps you eat less throughout the day. That’s because protein helps you feel “fuller” throughout the day.
So there you have it. Don’t limit yourself to just the holidays to eat this healthy meat. Eat it as often as you can!
Of course, eat the white meat (breast), as it’s the lowest in fat, and highest in protein. And whatever you do, don’t fry it! Doing so can add hundreds of calories per servings. Remember, at the end of the day, calories DO matter.
Remember, if fat loss is your goal, you’ve got to be in an energy deficit (burn more than you take in). So watch your portions on all the sides and other accompaniments you might have along with your turkey this holiday season!
And by the way, if you’re serious about taking your overall health and fitness to the next level this coming year, why not take advantage of your FREE Fitness Consultation? (an $87 value)
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