Too many women are not getting enough protein in their diets. Are you one of them? Without adequate protein intake, you are at risk for sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass). See “Honey, I Shrunk My Muscles” to learn about how to avoid sarcopenia with diet and exercise. One of the most important things you can do is eat protein.
Turkey is a great source of protein and is easy to incorporate into your diet, especially if you use ground turkey. Brown a 16 ounce package, drain any fat, and divide the turkey into 4 glass bowls with lids. Glass bowls make it a breeze to microwave. You now have the makings of 4 protein-packed meals. Each 4 ounce serving provides about 22 grams of protein and only 160 calories.
Here are 5 easy ways to use your pre-cooked turkey:
- Turkey Lettuce Wraps Fill crisp iceberg lettuce leaves with turkey and top with water chestnuts, green onions and a low sodium soy or hoisin sauce.
- Turkey Tacos Fill soft or crisp taco shells with turkey and add your favorite taco toppings, such as shredded cheese, shredded cabbage, salsa or pico de gallo.
- Turkey Breakfast Scramble Add turkey to scrambled eggs or egg whites, along with vegetables like bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, spinach and grape tomatoes for a truly protein-packed breakfast.
- Salad Topper Use ground turkey, hot or cold, as a topping for your favorite salad.
- Pasta (or Zoodle) Topper Add ground turkey to ready-made pasta sauce (preferably low sodium and no sugar added) and pour over whole grain pasta or zucchini noodles for a quick, healthy dinner.