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 the perfect compromise on a cold day when you want a warm bowl of comfort food with fewer calories than beef chili.

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.

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.

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

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.

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.

Kidney beans are, in my opinion, the best for vegetarian chili. Raw beans, however, contain high amounts of phytohemagglutinin, meaning that if you purchase dried kidney beans, you must pre-soak and boil them before consumption. Canned beans, however, are pre-cooked and are perfectly fine to eat.

Research shows that eating chili peppers may boost your metabolism and reduce swelling. This could help you lose weight, including burning belly fat. While eating chili peppers alone is unlikely to make a huge difference, it could help in combination with exercise and eating a healthy diet.

Takeaway. A person with diabetes should include a variety of fresh, whole foods in their diet, such as nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables. Bananas are a safe and nutritious fruit for people with diabetes to eat in moderation as part of a balanced, individualized eating plan.

What are the best beans for diabetics? ›

Kidney, pinto, navy or black beans are packed with vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and potassium. They are very high in fiber too. Beans do contain carbohydrates, but ½ cup also provides as much protein as an ounce of meat without the saturated fat.

Share on Pinterest Beans are a good source of fiber and protein. 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.

Due to its high amount of unsaturated fats, peanut butter may help reduce a person's LDL cholesterol levels. Having optimal LDL levels is linked with a lower risk of heart disease. A 2015 study found that people who had a high intake of nuts may have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease mortality.

If you have high cholesterol, you should talk with your doctor about what you eat, including meat. There are good, lean choices. For example, you can consider chicken or turkey breasts without skin; pork tenderloin; or beef round, sirloin, or tenderloin. Avoid highly processed meats (bacon, ham, lunchmeat, etc.).

Tomatoes and other veggies used in chili can provide you with plenty of other health benefits. Adding in extra vegetables increases the antioxidant and fiber content, along with all of the nutrients that various vegetables provide.

Modify it. 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.

Remove it from the meat after you've cooked it separately. Cook the meat before the rest of the chili and drain the excess fat before adding anything else in. This is what I do. If I prepare far enough in advance, I'll actually boil the beef and then place it in the fridge overnight to cool.