For the first time, one of the big three fast-food chains will start selling turkey burgers.

Burger King (BKW) is unveiling the new burger this week in an experiment of sorts. The burger is a limited offering as part of the chain's new spring menu. If it becomes a hit, the company will likely make the turkey burger permanent.

But are American diners ready for a turkey burger? We've known for years that too much red meat is unhealthy -- a study last year claimed that one 3-ounce serving of red meat a day appeared to hasten death -- but the major burger chains haven't cooled their love affair with beef one bit.

McDonald's (MCD) and Wendy's (WEN) have never offered a turkey burger, according to The Associated Press, making Burger King a pioneer of sorts. Two smaller chains, Carl's Jr. and Hardee's, have turkey burgers on their menus, however.

Burger King's new turkey burger has a $3.99 suggested price and brings 530 calories -- 100 fewer than what the regular Whopper offers, according to the AP. The chain's grilled chicken sandwich has 470 calories.

Though Carl's Jr. has offered the turkey burger for a while, the chain is stubbornly refusing to follow the industry-wide move toward healthier options, my colleague Aimee Picchi reported Monday. That includes embracing sandwiches like the Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger, which clocks in at 1,000 calories and 54 grams of fat.

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