The role of poultry meat in children''s nutrition
Meat is one of the main food products, a rich source of proteins, containing all vital amino acids animal fat, some mineral substances and vitamins. Poultry meat deserves special attention taking into account its dietetic properties, among them organoleptic ones. The poultry meat composition slightly differs from that of other animal meat. There is less connective tissue there than in beef, pork, mutton, which enhances protein digestibility. The amino acid score and the fatty acid composition are favourable. The cholesterol content per 100 g of meat does not exceed 75 mg. At the same time, poultry meat is high in phospholipids, phosphorus-containing compounds that play a significant role in building various structural elements. Turkey meat traditionally refers to the most valuable kind of poultry meat. This is associated with low fat levels, specificities of the amino acid set (in particular, there is more methionine necessary for maintenance of normal liver function). Turkey meat contains phosphorus, being only slightly inferior to fish. As compared to chicken, there is more selenium and copper. Copper is part of oxidation-reduction enzymes involved in iron metabolism, stimulates assimilation of proteins and carbohydrates. Selenium is an essential element of the antioxidant body defence system, has an immunomodelling effect, participates in regulation of thyroid hormone activity. In connection with a high prevalence of food allergy among children, the use of hypoallergenic food products is topical. This fully applies to meat products. In particular, as is known, chicken meat might cause cross-allergy with chicken eggs, and beef - with cow's milk protein, which necessitates exclusion of these products from diets of children with food allergy. A hypoallergenic diet often implies exclusion of chicken as a product most frequently causing true allergy and provoking histamine-liberating reactions. Turkey meat might have good prospects in this respect because it has lower allergenicity as compared to chicken.