If you’re not a vegetarian but are committed to a plant-based diet that includes healthy animal proteins, you know that salmon, sea trout, herring, and anchovies are good options. They're loaded with heart-healthy omega-3s, protein (3.5 ounces of salmon has 20 grams), and vitamins A, D, and B12, as well as calcium.

But what about poultry?

Chicken skin is packed with inflammatory, heart-damaging saturated fats (40 grams in 3.5 ounces). But skinless chicken and turkey, for example, have far less saturated fat than when they're cooked with the skin on — and a lot less than beef (12 grams fat in 3 ounces of sirloin vs. 3 grams in skinless chicken breast and 1.4 grams in skinless turkey breast).

In addition, skinless chicken and turkey provide selenium, phosphorus, iron, and vitamins B12, B6, niacin, thiamine, and riboflavin.

Other good poultry choices are skinless quail and pheasant.

However, you want to be careful with packaged ground chicken and turkey. The amount of fat they contain can vary wildly.

Aim for ground chicken with 2.5 grams of saturated fat and ground turkey (85% lean) with 4 grams of saturated fat in 3.5 ounces.

And avoid all fried poultry. For example, one Popeyes fried chicken breast has 20 grams of fat (8 grams of saturated fat) and 1 gram of trans fat. Opt for grilled, baked, or stir-fried instead.

For healthy poultry recipes, check out Dr. Mike's "What to Eat When Cookbook" for Spring Chicken Ragout. And Dr. Oz's YouTube video helps you find the healthiest chicken options: "Here's Why the Chicken You Buy Matters."