Often recommended as one of the leanest and healthiest varieties of animal protein, this food category includes meat that specifically comes from birds. Poultry refers to domesticated birds that are kept to harvest eggs as well as meat. Fowl is often used to describe game birds that are hunted rather than raised, such as pheasant. Common poultry include chickens, ducks, and turkey, but geese and quail are also eaten frequently in certain cuisine (e.g., French). Large birds such as ostrich and emu, included in the calorie chart, are also farmed. As with all meats, the nutrition facts vary depending on the exact animal and area from which the meat originated. Chicken and turkey breast are commonly recommend for diets as a low-calorie, low-fat source of complete protein. The part of poultry containing the most fat and cholesterol is the skin, and the thighs contain more calories from fat than protein. A majority of the fat from poultry is healthy, though, including monounsaturated fats. The meat from poultry and fowl is therefore a great source of protein for all non-vegetarian diets, but check nutrition label on pre-made meals to look for added calories.
