You may also want to add some poultry to your menu. In addition to its status as a complete protein, poultry is a good source of iron, zinc, B12, and iodine, and even contains some omega-3s. Though it may be minimal (3 ounces of chicken contains just 0.03 grams of omega-3s, according to WebMD), every little bit counts. And you can always choose other omega-3 sources like walnuts and olive oil to enhance your poultry-inspired meal.
So, let’s talk about two of the most common sources of poultry — turkey and chicken.
Chicken is one of the most versatile animal proteins. Just look at some of your favorite dishes. From roasted whole chicken to hearty salads, sandwiches, stir-fries, and chicken parmesan, you can incorporate chicken in almost any entrée or dish. To keep it healthy, eat it skinless and opt for cooking methods like sautéing, poaching, baking, roasting, stir-frying, and steaming — instead of frying.
Turkey might sound less common since you probably only roast a whole turkey once or twice a year — think about your holiday meals. But don’t forget those luncheon meats that make building your lunches so simple and convenient. For your best health, opt for turkey slices that are nitrate-free and have minimal additives and preservatives.
Interesting fact: You won’t find any hormones or steroids in any poultry that you buy, regardless of its claim (or lack thereof). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strictly prohibits any artificial or added hormones or steroids in the production of U.S. poultry (via National Chicken Council). So, when you see “raised without hormones” or “no hormones added” on the package, it’s merely a redundancy.