White Bean Turkey Chili: Gluten-Free, 30 Minutes - Healthy Hearty Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What to add to chili to make it healthier? ›

Go Wild With Vegetables. Sure, the stars of chili tend to be beans and whatever ground meat you prefer, but let vegetables steal the spotlight if you want your next bowl of chili to be more nutritious. "By adding extra veggies you'll increase nutrients, fiber, and satisfaction," the twins say.

Turkey chili is a healthier choice than beef chili for individuals with diabetes because it is low in calories, fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, and it is higher in protein and fiber.

Turkey chili is much lighter and lower in calories. Most recipes call for ground turkey, which doesn't have nearly the fat content of beef. The turkey meat you'll find at the grocery store contains 15%, 7%, or even no fat.

Make Chili With Ground Turkey

The lower the saturated fat, the less detrimental it is to your cholesterol level. Even better, "No one can tell the difference," says Gebo, who uses ground turkey all the time to make chili. Ground turkey also makes a great substitute for ground beef in dishes like meatballs or meatloaf.

A cup of strong, brewed coffee will work wonders for your pot of chili, imparting a deep, roasted flavor that will make the chili taste like it simmered away all day long. For maximum flavor, reduce the coffee along with a blend of tomato paste, aromatic veggies and spices like we do in our Spicy Vegetarian Chili.

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

Some studies have indicated that the consumption of chilli-containing foods can influence iron absorption and affect serum insulin and glucose concentrations, which may help to alleviate diabetes or prediabetes.

Although beans contain carbohydrates, they are low on the glycemic index (GI) scale and do not cause significant spikes in a person's blood sugar levels. Beans are a complex carbohydrate. The body digests this form more slowly than other carbohydrates, helping to keep blood sugar levels stable for longer.

Turkey is a low glycemic index (GI) food. That means it won't cause the blood sugar spike that you'd get from more sugar-rich and carb-rich foods. If you have diabetes, including turkey in your diet can help you to keep your blood sugar under control.

Kidney Beans

Kidney beans are commonly used in popular recipes like chili and rice dishes. These slightly sweet, soft beans are loaded with nutrients such as fiber, folate, protein, magnesium, manganese, and potassium.

Can I eat ground turkey every day? ›

The bottom line is yes—it is okay to include ground turkey in your diet regularly, though as with any food, it's crucial to eat it in moderation and variety in your food choices. Eating a diverse range of nutrient sources helps ensure you obtain all of the essential nutrients needed for enhancing overall health.

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

Potatoes are rich in soluble fibre, which can be consumed by high cholesterol patients without any confusion. Consuming potatoes not only maintains the cholesterol level, but the body also gets many health benefits. Consumption of potatoes in cholesterol is safe only if you consume it properly.

In general, those foods include those high in fat, salt and calories. So herewith, a sampling of the most blood-pressure-unfriendly foods to avoid over the Thanksgiving holiday. Red Meat: Stick to the turkey — the non-deep-fried turkey, that is — because a big 'ol steak registers high in fat, salt and calories.

What to serve with this turkey chili. This warming chili is absolutely wonderful paired with these honey pumpkin cornbread muffins, my best ever cornbread recipe, or even these easy gluten free crackers. If you're serving a crowd for a party or game day, add these sides to your table: The Best Guacamole You'll Ever Eat.

In general, chili is seen as a healthy food since chili contains ingredients from key food groups. If you want to build a healthier bowl of beef chili, choose lean ground beef. Reducing the fat content in the meat is important for heart health and can lower your risk of developing diabetes.

Eating chilis can be good for your immune system. They contain certain bioactive compounds, including flavonoids and carotenoids, that help your immune system work better.

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

You can still have a perfectly healthy bowl of chili with ground beef, but using turkey instead—like in this simple Turkey Chili recipe—helps you keep the protein levels high while significantly lowering the calorie and fat content.