| The hamburger is a very popular component of the | | | | significant vitamins and minerals. However, an average |
| American diet. However, as many people know, a | | | | patty does have almost 10% of a person's |
| greasy, fatty, beef burger is not the smartest nutritional | | | | recommended daily iron intake. Turkey burgers are |
| choice. Thankfully, there is a healthier alternative. | | | | also a great source of some lesser known nutrients |
| Turkey burgers, which are made with ground turkey | | | | that are common in turkey meat. One of these is |
| meat, offer an almost identical juicy taste with less fat | | | | selenium. Selenium protects the thyroid and is essential |
| and excellent nutritional value. | | | | for proper metabolism. Selenium is also associated |
| As with beef burgers, nutrition in a turkey burger | | | | with decreased cancer risk and helps to improve |
| depends upon how the patty was prepared. When | | | | immune function. In a single turkey burger, roughly half |
| made from scratch with ground meat, it is best to | | | | of a person's daily selenium needs can be met. |
| begin with lean, white meat, turkey. This type of meat | | | | Turkey is also a good source of B vitamins, essential |
| does not include the skin, which can be extremely | | | | to proper nutrition. The top two B vitamins found in |
| fatty. Choosing any ground turkey can leave you with | | | | turkey burgers are niacin and vitamin B6. Both of these |
| a burger that is just as unhealthy, if not worse, than a | | | | are important for energy production as they help |
| beef patty. In fact, some turkey burgers can have | | | | convert fats, proteins, and carbohydrates into fuel for |
| more than 15 grams of fat in an average, 100g, patty. | | | | the body. Additionally, niacin can help regulate blood |
| The average, healthy turkey burger has less than 200 | | | | sugar, which means more stable moods and a |
| calories in it. It contains 3 grams or less of saturated | | | | steadier metabolic rate. One turkey burger provides |
| fat, and depending on what kind of seasonings are | | | | nearly a quarter of a person's daily needs for both of |
| added, can have less than 100mg of sodium. Turkey | | | | these B vitamins. |
| burgers are loaded with protein and have little or no | | | | Finally, turkey burgers are high in tryptophan. |
| carbohydrates. In fact, an average burger can have | | | | Tryptophan is an amino acid that is essential to |
| some 20 plus grams of protein. | | | | humans. It is known for its sedative properties and can |
| One downside of the turkey burger is its lack of | | | | help relax a person and induce better sleep. |