Healthy Thanksgiving recipe: which is better, dark meat or white meat turkey?

There has been an ongoing debate that usually crops up during the Thanksgiving holiday season on the question of whether it is the turkey's white meat or dark meat that is better. Not that most of us, actually, care. I mean, when you see that succulent piece of meat roasted in perfection, there is just no stopping yourself from launching a hungry assault in reckless abandon to that poor creature at the center of the dining table—not even the notion of which type of meat is going to be good for you.

But, to the benefit of the more discerning eaters and food connoisseurs, let us try to shed light on the topic. So, which one is really better?

Before going to the bone of the contention, so to speak, let us try to differentiate first between the two types of meat in consideration. According to an article from the International Business Times, the white meat portion of a turkey or chicken comes from around the breast, while dark meat is concentrated on the wings, thighs and drumsticks parts of it. The distinction from the colors of the two kinds of meat is basically due to the concentration of myoglobin, which is a protein that delivers oxygen to the muscles that need sustained energy.

Most of these muscles are found around the legs of the turkeys, rather than the breasts because these birds travel more often by foot. Because of this, more myoglobin is required to these muscles that help the turkeys move from one place to another.

On the other hand, the turkey's breast muscles are mostly used for immediate and quick movements. These muscles are called "fast-twitch" muscles which are helpful for such animals, particularly in situations where they have to save themselves and escape an attack from predators.

Dark meat has a stronger and more game-like flavor as compared to white meat because of the various chemicals, proteins, and fats that are built during the activity of the muscles where they are concentrated, according to The Kitchn. White meat, meanwhile, is thinner and more tender allowing for a less cooking time.

And as for the lingering question of which meat is better between the two, both dark and white meat have a good case for themselves in terms of nutritional perspective.

White meat is considered by some people as the healthier choice as it contains fewer calories and saturated fat compared to the dark meat, wrote Eating Well. White meat has 115 calories and 0 grams of saturated fat per 3 ounces of serving while dark meat has 160 calories and 2 grams of saturated fat for the same amount. Now, that is a difference of 45 calories and 6 grams of saturated fat. White meat also has more proteins in it.

Dark meat advocates could argue that their preferred meat contains more iron compared to white meat and it also comes packed with higher levels of minerals and vitamins like Vitamin A, K, B6, and B12.

So, which one do you go for? Let us know in the polls below.