Turkey Cold Cuts

Turkey breast, sliced, prepackaged

Source: USDA Nutrient Database. Protein daily value based on ISSN Position Stand for an individual weighing ~150 lbs.

Turkey FAQ

Table of Contents

• Is turkey halal?
• Is turkey gluten free?
• Is turkey kosher?
• Is turkey high in purines?
• Is turkey keto?
• Is turkey low fodmap?
• Is turkey high in cholesterol?
• Is turkey high in protein?
• Is turkey high in carbs?
• Is turkey low in fiber?
• Is turkey high in saturated fat?
• Is turkey low in sodium?
• Does turkey contain potassium?
• Does turkey contain zinc?
• Is turkey high in omega-6?
• Does turkey contain iron?
• Is turkey high in calcium?
• Is turkey high in lysine?
• Is turkey high in histamine?
• Is turkey high in tyramine?
• Is turkey high in arginine?
• Is turkey high in phosphorus?
• Does turkey increase testosterone?
• Is turkey high in estrogen?
• Is turkey paleo?
• What are some turkey alternatives?
• Is turkey vegetarian?
• Is turkey vegan?
• Is turkey high in uric acid?
• Does turkey contain tryptophan?
• Is turkey low fat?

Is turkey halal?

Halal certification depends on how the meat is processed and prepared. Some turkey cold cuts might be halal if the bird has been slaughtered according to Islamic rites, which should be specified on the pack. If it is not mentioned, it is more prudent to assume that the turkey cold cut is not halal.

Is turkey gluten free?

Generally, turkey cold cuts should be gluten free, as turkey itself inherently doesn’t contain any gluten. However, some brands might add fillers or use processing methods that introduce gluten into the product. It’s advisable to check the labeling or contact the producer directly if you’re managing a gluten-free diet.

Is turkey kosher?

As with halal certification, kosher status is determined by the method of slaughter and specific dietary laws. If the turkey cold cuts are from a turkey that was slaughtered according to Kosher practices and all additives used are Kosher approved, then yes, it can be. Look for a certification on the product, such an OU (Orthodox Union) or OK (Organized Kashruth) symbol, that officially deems it kosher.

Is turkey high in purines?

Turkey cold cuts are moderately high in purines, with approximately 50-100mg of purines per 100g serving. For reference, a low-purine diet usually contains between 100mg-150mg of purines per day. Individuals looking to limit their intake of purines, such as people with gout, might want to limit their consumption of turkey cold cuts and incorporate more low-purine foods into their diet.

Is turkey keto?

Yes, turkey is considered keto-friendly. The ketogenic, or keto, diet requires a low intake of carbs, and turkey has minimal carbs. For example, 100 grams of turkey breast cold cuts contains about 2 grams of carbs, and since the daily carb intake on a keto diet is typically less than 50 grams, turkey fits well within the guidelines.

Is turkey low fodmap?

Yes, turkey is considered to be low FODMAP. Foods high in FODMAPs can cause digestive issues for some people, but turkey itself does not contain these types of carbohydrates. However, if turkey cold cuts are processed with high FODMAP ingredients like honey or onion, they may not be suitable for a low FODMAP diet. It’s always important to check the ingredients.

Is turkey high in cholesterol?

No, turkey is not considered high in cholesterol. One serving of turkey, approximately 100g of turkey breast cold cuts, contains about 55 milligrams of cholesterol. The daily recommended intake of cholesterol for a healthy individual is up to 300 milligrams, so a serving of turkey falls well within this range.

Is turkey high in protein?

Yes, turkey is high in protein. A 100 gram serving of turkey cold cuts can have as much as 22 grams of protein. The daily recommended intake varies by individual, but as a general guideline, adult men and women should consume at least 50 grams and 46 grams, respectively, of protein per day, so turkey provides a significant portion of this.

Is turkey high in carbs?

No, turkey cold cuts are not high in carbohydrates. In fact, on average, a serving of turkey cold cuts (around 56g, roughly 2 slices) contains approximately 0.3g of carbs. Compared to the daily recommended value of carbohydrates which is 130g for most adults, the carbs intake from turkey cold cuts is negligible.

Is turkey low in fiber?

Yes, turkey cold cuts are low in fiber. In fact, they contain no fiber at all. Fiber is typically found in plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Most adults need about 25 to 38g of fiber each day.

Is turkey high in saturated fat?

No, turkey cold cuts are not high in saturated fat. An average serving typically contains around 1g of saturated fat. The American Heart Association recommends less than 13g (approximately 5-6% of daily calories) of saturated fat per day for a 2,000 calorie diet, so turkey cold cuts can be included in a diet mindful of saturated fat intake.

Is turkey low in sodium?

No, turkey cold cuts are not low in sodium. Quite the opposite, they are typically high in sodium with around 360-600mg of sodium per serving. This is a sizeable portion of the daily recommended sodium intake of 2,300mg for healthy adults, and 1,500mg for certain groups like individuals with hypertension, adults over age 51, and African Americans. Sodium content may vary depending on the brand, with some low-sodium options available in the market.

Does turkey contain potassium?

Yes, turkey cold cuts do contain potassium. 100 grams of turkey cold cuts generally contain around 234 milligrams of potassium. To put this in perspective, the recommended daily value for potassium is 4700 milligrams for adults.

Does turkey contain zinc?

Yes, turkey cold cuts contain zinc. A 100-gram serving of turkey cold cuts contains approximately 1.8 milligrams of zinc. The recommended daily intake for adults is 11 milligrams for men and 8 milligrams for women.

Is turkey high in omega-6?

Turkey cold cuts are not considered a high source of omega-6 fatty acids. While they do contain some omega-6 fatty acids, the amount is relatively small, about 0.2 grams in a 100-gram serving. The typical recommended daily intake of omega-6 fats is about 17 grams for men and 12 grams for women, according to the Institute of Medicine.

Does turkey contain iron?

Yes, turkey cold cuts do contain some iron. A 100-gram serving of turkey cold cuts contains approximately 1.1 milligrams of iron. However, the recommended daily value of iron is 18 milligrams for adult women and 8 milligrams for adult men, so turkey alone cannot fulfil this requirement.

Is turkey high in calcium?

Turkey cold cuts are not a high source of calcium. On average, a serving of turkey cold cuts (around 56 grams) only contains about 20mg of calcium. The recommended daily value of calcium for average adults is around 1,000mg. Therefore, turkey only provides about 2% of the daily recommended amount of calcium.

Is turkey high in lysine?

Yes, turkey is a good source of the amino acid lysine. In about 100 grams of turkey, there is approximately 2.10 grams of lysine. The suggested daily intake of lysine from your diet is about 30mg per kilogram of body weight. For a 70kg individual, their daily lysine requirement would be around 2.1 grams, so 100 grams of turkey could nearly fulfill this requirement.

Is turkey high in histamine?

No, fresh turkey is not high in histamine. However, aged, fermented, preserved, or spoiled turkey might contain a higher level of histamine. Histamine content of food can vary greatly, but turkey cold cuts, especially if they are fresh or well-preserved, are generally considered low in histamine.

Is turkey high in tyramine?

No, turkey cold cuts are not typically high in tyramine. Tyramine is naturally present in many fermented or aged foods. Fresh varieties of turkey cold cuts have very small amounts of tyramine. However, spoiled or improperly stored turkey can have higher levels of tyramine. Always ensure your turkey is fresh and properly stored to maintain low levels of tyramine.

Is turkey high in arginine?

Yes, turkey is fairly high in arginine. A typical 100 gram serving of turkey contains around 1.686 grams of arginine. The daily requirement for arginine varies depending on the individual’s age and sex, but according to the World Health Organization, an average adult requires around 2 grams of arginine per day. Therefore, turkey can provide a significant portion of the needed arginine.

Is turkey high in phosphorus?

Turkey does contain a good quantity of phosphorus. Approximately 100 grams of turkey cold cuts will provide around 196 milligrams of phosphorus. The National Institutes of Health recommends a daily intake of about 700 milligrams of phosphorus for adults, so turkey can contribute to meeting this requirement.

Does turkey increase testosterone?

While there’s no direct scientific evidence to suggest that turkey directly increases the production of testosterone, it is high in protein and zinc, two nutrients essential for maintaining healthy testosterone levels. A deficiency in these nutrients can lead to lower testosterone levels.

Is turkey high in estrogen?

No, turkey doesn’t contain estrogen. However, some commercially raised turkeys are given hormones and antibiotics which can have an impact on hormonal balance in humans when consumed. This is more of a concern with factory farmed turkeys, so choosing organic or free range options can be a healthier choice.

Is turkey paleo?

Yes, turkey cold cuts are allowed on the paleo diet. The paleo diet focuses on eating whole, unprocessed foods like meats, vegetables, and nuts which aligns with turkey cold cuts, as long as they don’t contain preservatives or additives.

What are some turkey alternatives?

For those who don’t eat turkey, there are a number of alternatives. Chicken or ham cold cuts can be used as a similar type of meat. For vegetarians and vegans, tofu turkey (also known as tofurkey), seitan or tempeh could be used. These alternatives offer good sources of protein similar to turkey but make sure to check the nutrition label for sodium content as some brands may include added salt.

Is turkey vegetarian?

No, turkey is not vegetarian. By definition, vegetarians do not eat meat, which includes turkey, even in its cold cut form.

Is turkey vegan?

No, turkey is not vegan. Vegans follow a stricter version of vegetarianism that excludes all animal products including meat, dairy, eggs, and sometimes even honey. As turkey is a type of meat, it’s not suitable for a vegan diet.

Is turkey high in uric acid?

Turkey, particularly the dark meat, does have a notable content of purines, compounds that breakdown into uric acid. 100 grams of turkey contains approximately 50-150 mg of purines. The recommended daily level for people with gout or those on low-uric acid diets is to keep purine intake below 100-150 milligrams a day.

Does turkey contain tryptophan?

Yes, turkey does contain tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid which the body needs to produce certain proteins. It’s also used by the body to produce serotonin, which promotes healthy sleep and stable mood. The average amount of tryptophan in turkey is around 0.24 g per 100 g. The specific recommendation for tryptophan daily intake is not established, but as an amino acid, a general guideline is about 0.8 g per kilogram of body weight.

Is turkey low fat?

Yes, turkey, especially lean cuts such as the breast, is considered to be low fat. Approximately 100 grams of turkey cold cuts contain around 3-6 grams of fat, depending on the brand. For a balanced diet, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests that 20-35% of your daily calories come from fats, which equals to 44-77g of fat per day based on a 2,000 calorie diet. So, turkey can be a good choice if you are on a low-fat diet, but keep in mind this also depends on things like how the turkey was cooked and what it’s served with.