Seeking a nutritious yet delicious beef jerky replacement? Tired of red meat? Looking to diversify your snack drawer?
There’s a simple answer to questions –– healthy turkey jerky. Turkey is more than just Thanksgiving. In fact, this tasty poultry can be made into jerky that’s protein rich, low in saturated fats and when properly prepared, second to none in dynamic flavors. Need convincing? Think turkey jerky is just plain white meat? The truth couldn’t be more different. Imagine a turkey jerky seasoned with hot peppers and smoked with real hickory smoke. That’s a combination enough to tempt anyone for a bite.
Is Turkey Jerky Good for You?
The answer is yes! Turkey jerky nutrition is excellent, packing an average of 13 grams of protein for an average 100 gram serving (12 grams for beef jerky). Since turkey jerky is often made from lean turkey breast, total carbs will also be very low along with calories, making it a great choice for anyone on a keto or low carb diet.
But how does turkey compare with other non-red meats? Is turkey healthier than chicken? When comparing lean turkey to chicken, turkey comes out on top with slightly more protein –– a 3 oz. serving of turkey has 24 grams of protein instead of 23 grams for chicken. The same 3 oz. serving of turkey also has approximately 170 calories (70 calories from fat) compared to the 200 calories (100 calories from fat) of chicken.
Is Turkey Jerky Healthier than Beef Jerky?
Besides being lower in calories and comparable in protein content, turkey jerky has another key nutritional benefit over beef jerky –– lower saturated fat content. Beef is on the higher end of saturated fats for animal proteins compared to turkey. Turkey jerky is also filled with vitamin B6, riboflavin, phosphorus, and niacin. As a bonus, it also has selenium and copper, which nutritionists believe helps in the maintenance of a healthy immune system.
A key thing to remember is that although turkey jerky is healthy, the exact benefits can vary depending on preparation. For instance, turkey breast is lower in fat and calories than dark meat turkey. Of course, another aspect is the ingredients of individual recipes such as added sugar and sodium. Is turkey healthy for you? Yes, but the health benefits can also depend on the recipe. So, choose according to your individual dietary needs and taste preferences.
Benefits of Turkey Jerky for Weight Management
Jerky isn’t usually the first food one thinks of when crafting a weight loss strategy. However, lean protein is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to shred a few pounds. But what about turkey jerky? Is turkey jerky good for weight loss?
Yes! In fact, the high protein and low fat content of turkey jerky makes it one of the best snack options around for weight management. Many nutritionists and diet experts include turkey as a great protein choice. Taste wise, turkey is mild and versatile, capable of adapting to sweet, spicy and savory flavors with ease. This diversity in flavor profiles is an underrated part to healthy weight loss. Eating the same foods can get boring, especially when following a strict weight management diet. By injecting some fun for the taste buds with the different spices and flavors of turkey jerky, dieters can get some welcome diversity to the monotony. Finally, another bonus of turkey jerky is that it's a shelf stable, ready-to-eat product with no need to defrost or cook. Simply tear open a bag and enjoy. Convenience and health at its finest.
Tony Roma’s Turkey Jerky as a Snack Food
For a great turkey jerky product, Tony Roma’s line of BBQ Jerky bites has you covered. Tony Roma’s is rightfully famous for their restaurants, serving their patented barbecued baby back ribs lathered in their Original Barbecue Sauce.
As a barbecue specialist, what makes Tony Roma’s BBQ Jerky Bites different from the competition is the smoky flavor. Each piece of BBQ Jerky Bites is first coated with Tony Roma’s famous BBQ sauce before being flame-grilled, giving it a unique smoky fragrance. These jerky bites include dynamic flavors ranging from savory and rich Original BBQ Pork Jerky to the sweet molasses of Carolina Honey BBQ Pork Jerky. Each Tony Roma Jerky Bites are also individually wrapped, ensuring peak freshness and convenient serving.
Now, Tony Roma’s has also expanded into turkey jerky business, making Tony Roma's Golden Serrano BBQ Turkey Bites. These turkey jerky bites have all the flavor and individual wrapping of their other BBQ bites, but instead of pork, this jerky is made from lean turkey meat. The flavor combination is dynamic, featuring a tangy blend of mustard, natural hickory smoke, serrano peppers and crushed pepper, all coating each piece of flame-grilled turkey. This combination of smoky, savory and spicy is guaranteed to hit the spot. These turkey jerky bites can also be heated up for a fun and different jerky eating experience. For easy heating, simply microwave the pieces of turkey jerky and enjoy a bite-sized treat that tastes like a summertime barbecue.
