Turkey eggs: health benefits and harms

Turkey eggs are not one of the most popular foods used for food, as often such poultry is grown only for the production of meat products. This delicacy is very rare in simple grocery stores, as the demand for this delicacy is quite low.

Perhaps, for this reason, most people do not know that turkey eggs in their nutritional value are not inferior to by-products obtained from chickens. This diet treat is especially necessary for people suffering from anemia and lack of body weight. In cooking, this kind of egg is used for the same purpose as from other species of birds.

In terms of external indicators, a turkey egg is similar to a chicken. But nevertheless, it is rarely included in human food, since it is difficult to find in markets, but even if it is possible to meet such a product, the cost of it will be high. Currently, such a scarce product attracts a lot of attention, so you should familiarize yourself with the useful and dangerous characteristics of eggs.

What do turkey eggs look like?

A turkey egg is slightly larger in size than the chicken counterpart. The weight of a medium-sized turkey product is 70–75 g. This is affected by the age of the individuals. So, young turkeys carry smaller eggs. The product shell has a light color with numerous spots. And in this case, everything also depends on the age of the turkey, the older the female, the more saturated the color of the eggshell. The surface of the delicacy is characterized by porosity, but at the same time it is quite dense.

It is very difficult to find such a delicacy in an ordinary store; usually it will be possible to purchase it only in a special store at the farm. This is due to the fact that poultry meat itself is popular today. Most often, only those eggs that were collected during the autumn laying were sold, since it is very difficult to grow turkey poults in the winter. For the entire season, one individual carries about 20 pieces. There are no ways to scale up this product, so they are expensive.

What is the difference from chicken

In terms of taste, turkey products are not inferior to chicken. Turkey eggs are not characterized by a special, specific aroma and taste. Nevertheless, some gourmets claim that there is a slight difference in tastes between these varieties.

With regard to external indicators, the turkey products are larger in size, have a spotty, loose and at the same time dense shell.

Composition and calorie content

Interestingly, the composition of the egg depends on the season of receipt. So, for example, eggs collected in early summer have a more balanced composition, as the main food for birds is green grass.

The turkey egg contains B vitamins, designed to stimulate the central nervous system and brain, A, which is necessary for healthy skin, E, D. In addition, this product contains cobalt, which is necessary for the production of blood and enzymes that have beneficial effects on the liver and CNS

Also in turkey by-products there is iodine, which provides growth and normal metabolism. A substance such as sodium chloride provides a balance between acidic and alkaline environments. Copper is involved in protein metabolism and stimulates the development of bone tissue. Calcium is required for the strength of the skeleton, zinc - to maintain the health of the stronger sex. Manganese restores the activity of the sex glands, and also takes part in the synthesis of blood.

Also found in turkey eggs are potassium, which protects against neuralgia, iron, which provides oxygen to the body's cells, and magnesium, which relieves fatigue and eliminates sleep problems. Phosphorus provides the strength of the musculoskeletal system and stabilizes the excretory system. Selenium is involved in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, in material metabolism. In addition, this substance strengthens the immune system.

Turkey eggs are a fairly high-calorie offal. So, in one egg more than 170 kcal is concentrated.

What are the benefits of turkey eggs

General benefit

Balanced and enriched with valuable elements, the composition allows you to classify a turkey egg as a product that helps increase the body's defenses, strengthen nail plates, strands, and restore normal metabolism. In addition, this by-product is perfect for people prone to allergic reactions. It is worth noting that this kind of egg shell is used for the treatment and prevention of bone pathologies. This is because it has a high concentration of calcium.

The constant consumption of turkey eggs allows you to improve memory, eliminate sleep problems, get rid of headaches, the cause of which is a violation of the central nervous system and brain function.

For diseases of the digestive tract, doctors recommend including this component in food, despite the fact that it is characterized by high cholesterol.

Due to the high level of protein and rich mineral composition, the product is effectively absorbed by the body, which allows it to be used in the diet of athletes who need to build muscle.

For the elderly, turkey by-product is useful in that it acts as a prophylactic with a tendency to atherosclerosis.

As for dietary characteristics, opinions differ here. Some are sure that turkey eggs must be included in the menu of people who want to get rid of extra pounds. Some are sure that due to the high content of their fatty component and too low levels of carbohydrates, this product cannot be considered a diet food.

As already noted, the product is hypoallergenic, so they can be safely used in food for young children, as well as for expectant mothers. Due to the high level of calcium, turkey eggs are indicated for babies up to 12 months as a prevention of rickets. In addition, this delicacy ensures the growth of the child. It is allowed 2-3 times a month to give children this treat.

In terms of nutritional value, this species is in third place after quail and cesarean. Therefore, such eggs are great for satisfying a severe hunger.

For diseases of the digestive tract, the product helps to normalize the activity of the intestine, restore digestion, and also provides protection against the development of inflammation. With the constant addition of such a dish to the diet, normal metabolism is restored.

For women

The product is recommended for use among the fairer sex, as it normalizes metabolism, restores the central nervous system. At the same time, the ability to memorize increases, sleep problems are eliminated, and immunity is also strengthened. Another important property of turkey eggs for women's health is that they help strengthen tooth enamel, nails and restore health and strength to hair, and, as you know, it is women who are more prone to such problems.

In addition, the treat is shown to people suffering from anemia. The presence of iron in the composition of this delicacy allows you to cope with this condition. After all, girls during menstruation lose a sufficient amount of blood, which in some cases can provoke anemia. It is also recommended to eat a turkey egg when it is necessary to solve the problem of weight loss.

For men

A high level of protein in eggs allows athletes to use them to gain muscle mass. Bodybuilders usually prepare food for themselves all day in advance and take it everywhere with them so as not to disturb the diet.At the same time, they need to eat small portions of food every 2-3 hours. Turkey eggs can be freely used for such a snack, if you boil them first.

It should also be noted that the product contains zinc, which is necessary to enhance men's health. The composition endowed with vitamins and minerals allows the stronger sex to strengthen immunity, maintain bone health.

During pregnancy

Pregnancy is a period when a woman’s body is especially in need of vitamins and other beneficial substances. This also applies to iron, since this component has the ability to synthesize blood, which requires twice as much. That is why in the diet of the future mother should be present products containing the optimal level of iron. Moreover, the turkey egg contains folic acid, which is necessary for both pregnant women and women who plan to become a mother. It provides the correct formation of the fetus.

When breastfeeding

While breastfeeding, it is allowed to use turkey eggs. They are endowed with many useful substances that have a beneficial effect on the body. So, a lot of B-group vitamins are concentrated in the egg, which positively affect the functioning of the nervous system.

As you know, during lactation, a woman restricts herself in most familiar foods, as they can harm a baby. As for the turkey eggs, they do not provoke the occurrence of an allergic reaction in the child.

For children

Due to the fact that this product is hypoallergenic, it can be safely entered into the kids menu. But at the same time, you need to know that in a raw state, children should not use them, otherwise they can harm a small body.

Nevertheless, there are some individual limitations, therefore, before introducing such a delicacy into baby food, you should consult a specialist. A child up to a year is recommended to give at least 1 egg per week, since they have calcium, designed to strengthen bones. Also, the consumption of this delicacy is an excellent prophylaxis of rickets, as it has vitamin D in its composition. But you should not cook a dish of turkey egg daily for your child, since in this case an overdose of calcium can be observed, which is also dangerous for health.

When losing weight

As mentioned above, regarding whether this product is dietary or not, disputes are ongoing. However, most of them are sure that the turkey egg does not need to be consumed in the presence of excess weight. This is due to the fact that it has a fairly high degree of calories, so regular consumption can lead to a set of additional kilograms.

You should not include such a product on the menu very often. So, to saturate the body with the necessary substances, without harming it, it is enough to eat an egg a couple of times a week.

Application in cosmetology

The egg is often used in homemade masks and is used to make various products for skin and hair. The properties of such cosmetics are suitable for any type of dermis, depending on what other components are included. In professional cosmetology, a turkey egg was not left without attention. Based on it, it is recommended to produce moisturizing and nourishing mixtures.

So, with a dry skin type, a mask that consists of only two ingredients will be useful. To do this, mix the egg yolk and a small amount of cream. Apply the resulting mass to a cleansed face and hold for about 15 minutes. After that, rinse with cool water.

For oily skin type, a mask that is made by mixing egg white and clay is suitable. This mask should be valid for 15–20 minutes, and then it should be washed off with cold water.

A rejuvenating effect has a composition that includes turkey egg yolk and olive oil. Apply the mixture to cleansed face skin, soak for about 20 minutes, then remove the residue with a napkin.

To soften the skin, you can prepare a product consisting of egg yolk and natural honey.

Harm and contraindications

Despite a number of useful qualities, there are still cases when such a delicacy should be discarded. So, this product can be dangerous if a person has disorders with the absorption of protein. Also, turkey eggs are contraindicated in liver and kidney pathologies. There is an individual intolerance to the components of the product, an allergic reaction. With elevated cholesterol, you will also have to exclude such a treat from the diet.

In addition, you should refrain from eating raw eggs, unless there are medical indications for this.

It must be remembered that very often eggs are the cause of salmonellosis. Therefore, you need to purchase such products only in trusted locations.

How to choose and store

Turkey egg is an expensive product, in addition, it is sometimes very difficult to find it, so in order not to regret the money spent, you should study the criteria for determining a quality product.

First of all, it is necessary to study the appearance. The shell should be clean, free from contamination, and no feathers should adhere to it. The egg should not have any dents or other signs of mechanical damage.

Next, you need to pay attention to the smell of the product. If there is no smell, then the egg is good. Such products should not exude an unpleasant aroma, as well as the smell of foreign products. Turkey eggs are quite loose shell, which is able to absorb any flavor. After that, shake the egg. In this case, the yolk should not flounder.

The final criterion for assessing quality is carried out already at home, before direct use. Before use, dip the egg in a container of water. If the product is fresh, it will immediately sink to the bottom. If the delicacy is rotten, it will surface or stand in the middle of the pan.

It should be noted that the optimal time of year for the acquisition of turkey offal is the period from March to June. In late November and winter, birds no longer rush.

You can store fresh eggs on the shelf of the refrigerator for no more than three weeks. But it’s best to use them as soon as possible. When storing, do not put them on shelves containing products with a rich aroma, such as sausage or fish. The surface of the egg is loose and absorbs all odors. If the yolks are not used up during cooking, they can be placed in a container with chilled water. In this form, they will retain their benefit for another two days.

How to cook turkey eggs: recipes

You can enjoy a treat only after its thermal processing. Before cooking, rinse the eggs thoroughly under running water. It is best to use a brush for such purposes. After that, place the eggs in a bowl, which pour cold water and put on medium heat. At this stage, you need to salt the water. This is done so that cracks do not appear on the shell.

Cook the turkey eggs from 6 to 15 minutes. It all depends on the consistency of the resulting yolk. After the required time has passed, put the eggs in cold water for several minutes, so that the shell is easier to clean.

There are also many different recipes for cooking with the addition of this delicacy. For example, you can cook a healthy and nutritious breakfast from them. If desired, some components can be replaced. To prepare such a dish will take very little time.

So, you will need 3 medium eggs, 100 g of bacon or fat, 2 tomatoes, 60 g of onion, salt and spices to taste. If fat is used in the recipe, you first need to prepare it, clean it from excess salt and cut into slices of medium thickness. Rinse the tomatoes and also cut into slices. Peel and cut onions in half rings.

Next, break the turkey eggs into a bowl, salt and beat. Then lightly fry the fat in a preheated pan until fat is released. If this ingredient is overexposed, it will become tough and completely tasteless. Now add onion to the fat and fry it until a golden hue appears. The next ingredient that is added to the pan is the tomato. Fry all components for a minute over high heat with constant stirring. After that, pour everything over with beaten egg mass. In this case, the pan must be covered with a lid, reducing the heat a little. When the omelette becomes dense, it can be removed from the stove. Serve with fresh herbs and spices.

Another method for preparing such eggs is known. From them you can cook a delicious appetizer with hard cheese. To do this, you will need 6 medium-sized eggs, 30 g of onion, 40 g of butter, 60 g of walnuts, 25 strips of bacon, 100 g of sour cream, 180 g of hard cheese, 3 tbsp. olive oil, a few cloves of garlic, a small amount of nutmeg, fresh herbs, salt and spices to taste.

Start by boiling the eggs. Then they are cut into halves and placed in a mold. Chop the onion and garlic and fry a little on an olive squeeze. After that, mix the salt with nutmeg, spices and sour cream. Then grate the cheese on a fine grater. Dice the bacon and put it in a baking sheet along with cheese products. Top up with the resulting sauce and send to the oven, preheated to 180 degrees. Serve with greens and walnuts.

Is it possible to eat raw turkey eggs

There are certain medical conditions in which it is advised to eat raw turkey offal. This can be done in the presence of gastritis or increased acidity in the stomach. The yolk and protein of a turkey egg in its raw form is characterized by an enveloping property and, due to the presence of alkali, neutralizes acid in the digestive system. This allows you to reduce pain during inflammation of the gastric mucosa. In any other cases, doctors are recommended to use this product as food only after heat treatment, since a raw turkey egg is difficult to absorb by the human body and can cause serious harm to health.

Poultry eggs are often a source of bacteria of the genus Salmonella. Before use, it is necessary to check each instance for cracks and other defects, as well as to wash it thoroughly under running water. These bacteria are especially dangerous for children and the elderly with weak immunity.

Interesting Facts

Turkey was brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus, who discovered this species of birds during an expedition to the New World. In the 16th century, individuals began to be called "Spanish chickens." This is due to the fact that the layers were brought by sailors to Spain.

It is believed that the secret of longevity lies precisely in the regular consumption of turkey eggs. An example of this is a resident of the United States, which is 112 years old. Every day he ate 6 eggs.

To determine the age of the bird, you should pay attention to the egg itself. So, the younger the laying hen, the smaller the eggs in size and the lighter the shell.

Photo of turkey eggs