30 Best and Worst Packaged Cold Cuts

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By Ghuman

Introduction

When it comes to cold cuts, there are so many options to choose from. It can be hard to know which ones are the healthiest and which ones are the least healthy. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the 30 best and worst packaged cold cuts. We’ll look at the nutritional information, ingredients, and other factors to determine which cold cuts are the healthiest and which ones should be avoided. We’ll also provide some tips on how to make healthier choices when it comes to cold cuts. So, let’s get started!

30 Best and Worst Packaged Cold Cuts

When it comes to cold cuts, there are a lot of options out there. From turkey to ham to salami, there are so many different types of cold cuts to choose from. But not all cold cuts are created equal. Some are healthier than others, some are tastier, and some are just plain bad. Here are 30 of the best and worst packaged cold cuts.

The Best

  • Turkey Breast – Turkey breast is a great option for a healthy cold cut. It’s low in fat and calories, and it’s a good source of protein.
  • Ham – Ham is a classic cold cut that is high in protein and low in fat. It’s also a good source of B vitamins.
  • Roast Beef – Roast beef is a great option for a cold cut. It’s high in protein and low in fat, and it’s a good source of iron.
  • Salami – Salami is a great option for a flavorful cold cut. It’s high in protein and low in fat, and it’s a good source of B vitamins.
  • Prosciutto – Prosciutto is a great option for a flavorful cold cut. It’s high in protein and low in fat, and it’s a good source of B vitamins.
  • Pastrami – Pastrami is a great option for a flavorful cold cut. It’s high in protein and low in fat, and it’s a good source of B vitamins.
  • Tuna – Tuna is a great option for a healthy cold cut. It’s low in fat and calories, and it’s a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Chicken – Chicken is a great option for a healthy cold cut. It’s low in fat and calories, and it’s a good source of protein.
  • Bologna – Bologna is a great option for a flavorful cold cut. It’s high in protein and low in fat, and it’s a good source of B vitamins.
  • Pepperoni – Pepperoni is a great option for a flavorful cold cut. It’s high in protein and low in fat, and it’s a good source of B vitamins.

The Worst

  • Liverwurst – Liverwurst is high in fat and calories, and it’s not a good source of protein.
  • Head Cheese – Head cheese is high in fat and calories, and it’s not a good source of protein.
  • Sausage – Sausage is high in fat and calories, and it’s not a good source of protein.
  • Spam – Spam is high in fat and calories, and it’s not a good source of protein.
  • Luncheon Meat – Luncheon meat is high in fat and calories, and it’s not a good source of protein.
  • Potted Meat – Potted meat is high in fat and calories, and it’s not a good source of protein.
  • Hot Dogs – Hot dogs are high in fat and calories, and they’re not a good source of protein.
  • Bacon – Bacon is high in fat and calories, and it’s not a good source of protein.
  • Sardines – Sardines are high in fat and calories, and they’re not a good source of protein.
  • Tongue – Tongue is high in fat and calories, and it’s not a good source of protein.

We all know we’re about to interrupt the hearts of lunch-preparing mothers and dads in every single place, however these chilly cuts won’t be reliable. And it is not nearly your kiddos; you could possibly be sabotaging your individual determine. Only a couple slices—no, actually, simply two of these thinly-sliced items of lunch meat—have extra sodium than a bag of pretzels; that is 450 milligrams! Sodium, a recognized contributor to hypertension, not solely makes your stomach bloated, however it’s additionally a threat issue within the improvement of coronary heart illness when eaten in extra.

As for the nitrate and nitrite debacle? Here is what it is advisable know: All “cured” deli meats embody sodium nitrate and nitrite as preservatives to maintain the cuts free from dangerous micro organism. To say “All Pure,” manufacturers substitute these synthetic components for his or her naturally-occurring counterpart—celery powder—and dub themselves “uncured.” However whether or not it is the artificial model or from celery powder, it is mainly the identical factor, in response to Lisa Moskovitz, RD, CDN. She additionally tells us there is not any verdict on whether or not nitrates are dangerous or secure. (Ever seen beet juice nitrates being marketed to assist increase your endurance?)

What we do know is that this: the World Well being Group (WHO) launched a research in 2015 linking excessive consumption of processed meats (which equates to 4 slices of bacon a day) to colorectal cancers. Nonetheless, the authors of the research say that the occasional scorching canine is okay. The takeaway? So long as you seize good-quality meat made with good-for-you components, consuming a sammy with deli meats a couple of times per week is not going to do a ton of injury. What’s extra vital than selecting a nitrate- or celery-juice-preserved meat is definitely consuming a predominantly plant-based weight loss program, which has been linked with the bottom incidences of cancers and different ailments when in comparison with those that eat the least quantity of produce.

Beneath, you will discover among the greatest and worst lunch meat manufacturers in the marketplace. And if you cannot discover the model we have beneficial in your individual grocery retailer, use the chosen product’s dietary info and components as a information to what you need to search for. As soon as you’ve got chosen a meat, discover out the place the remainder of your sandwich add-ons stack up in our unique information of greatest lunch meals for weight reduction—ranked!

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Eat This: Applegate Naturals Oven Roasted Turkey Breast

PER 2 OZ (55 G): 50 energy, 0 g fats (0 g saturated fats), 250 mg sodium, 1 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 11 g protein

Not That: Land O’Frost Premium Oven Roasted Turkey Breast

PER 4 SLICES (50 G): 80 energy, 4.5 g fats (1 g saturated fats), 560 mg sodium, 1 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 8 g protein

Lunchtime has far surpassed Thanksgiving as the most well-liked time for getting your tryptophan repair, however are you additionally indulging in a each day sodium bomb? You’ll be should you’re going with Land O’Frost’s “Premium” Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast, which is usually made up of the blood-pressure-raising stuff mixed with “flavorings” and MSG. To get extra protein—and approach much less sodium—go together with Applegate’s humanely-raised lunch meat. Do that, and you will not fall prey to one of many little issues making you fatter and fatter—ignoring sodium!

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Eat This: Applegate Naturals Uncured Honey Ham

PER 2 OZ (55 G): 70 energy, 1.5 g fats (0.5 g saturated fats), 410 mg sodium, 2 g carbs (0 g fiber, 3 g sugar), 11 g protein

Not That: Oscar Mayer Deli Contemporary Honey Ham

PER 2 OZ (56 G): 60 energy, 1.5 g fats (0.5 g saturated fats), 560 mg sodium, 1 g carbs (0 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 10 g protein

Oscar Mayer found out the best way to throw in 560 milligrams of sodium together with sodium phosphate, an ingredient whose excessive consumption has been linked to larger charges of power kidney illness and weak bones. Though phosphates are a crucial a part of our diets, extra phosphate is extra simply absorbed by the physique and may result in excessive ranges of phosphate within the blood, which can put you in danger for coronary heart illness. Involved about coronary heart illness? Take a look at these meals that decrease ldl cholesterol!

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Eat This: Oscar Mayer Pure Mesquite Smoked Turkey

PER 2 OZ (56 G): 50 energy, 1 g fats (0 g saturated fats), 480 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 10 g protein

Not That: Oscar Mayer Deli Contemporary Smoked Turkey Breast

Per 2 OZ (56 G): 50 energy, 1 g fats (0 g saturated fats), 500 mg sodium, 1 g carbs (0 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 9 g protein

Decrease in sodium, larger in protein, and freed from all the bogus components of its sister model, Oscar Mayer lastly churns out an okay product with their NaturalMesquite Smoked Turkey.

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Eat This: Hormel Pure Alternative Smoked Deli Ham

PER 2 OZ (56 G): 60 energy,1.5 g fats (0.5 g saturated fats), 520 mg sodium, 1 g carbs (0 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 10 g protein

Eat This: Applegate Naturals Uncured Gradual Cooked Ham

PER 2 OZ (55 G): 60 energy, 2 g fats (0.5 g saturated fats), 440 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 11 g protein

Not That: Saag’s Hickory Smoked Virginia Model Ham with Pure Juice

PER 2 OZ (56 G): 60 energy, 1.5 g fats (0 g saturated fats), 680 mg sodium, 2 g carbs (0 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 10 g protein

When you do not thoughts the additional sodium—it is nonetheless a bag of Ruffles lower than Saag’s possibility—Hormel affords a Pure Alternative Smoked Deli Ham with good-for-you components pretty much as good as these from the main model of excellent meats, Applegate. Saag’s, then again, shouldn’t be solely filled with sodium, it but in addition carries sodium erythorbate, nitrites, corn syrup, and propylene glycol; we do not suppose you’d have the ability to discover these in your pantry.

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Eat This: Saag’s German Model Bologna

PER 1 OZ: 70 energy, 7.5 g fats (3.5 g saturated fats), 210 mg sodium, 0 g carbs, 3.5 g protein

Not That: Bar-S Traditional Bologna

PER 1 SLICE (32 G): 90 energy, 7 g fats (2 g saturated fats), 360 mg sodium, 2 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 4 g protein

A smoked, seasoned sausage often made up of pork and hen, bologna is the black sheep of deli meats due to being so over processed and concentrated in sodium. (These nutritionals you are seeing above are often for a single slice, in comparison with the nutritionals of deli meats that are 4-5 slices per serving.) To keep away from the modified corn starches and potassium acetates, seize a package deal of Saag’s over Bar-S—and you may additionally save your self the energy, fats, and sodium.

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Eat This: Hormel Pure Alternative Rotisserie-Model Deli Rooster Breast

PER 2 OZ (56 G): 50 energy, 1 g fats (0 g saturated fats), 470 mg sodium, 0 g carbs, 11 g protein

Not That: Oscar Mayer Carving Board Rotisserie Seasoned Rooster Breast

PER 2 OZ (56 G): 60 energy, 1 g fats (0 g saturated fats), 470 mg sodium, 0 g carbs, 12 g protein

Who knew you could possibly screw up hen this a lot? These slices of Oscar Mayer Oven Roasted Rooster are browned with caramel coloration and doused in “cultured corn sugar”—a “label-friendly” fermented corn sugar which apparently minimizes listeria development. Follow Hormel’s Pure Option to style hen and never the “rotisserie hen flavoring” of yeast extract (a “pure” different to MSG that’s added to merchandise to reinforce its meat-like style as an alternative of letting the meat converse for itself) and “taste” that you will discover in Oscar Mayer’s possibility.

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Eat This: Oscar Mayer Chipotle Seasoned Rooster Breast

PER 2 SLICES, 2 OZ (56 G): 50 energy, 1.5 g fats (0 g saturated fats), 500 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 9 g protein

Not That: Hillshire Farm Chipotle Rooster Breast

PER 3 SLICES (49 G): 50 energy, 1 g fats (0 g saturated fats), 450 mg sodium, 3 g carbs (0 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 8 g protein

Complexly spicy and satisfyingly moist, Oscar Meyer’s sliced lunch meat is made with none antibiotics, nitrites, nitrates, or added hormones. The identical cannot be stated of Hillshire Farm’s Chipotle Rooster Breast. Not solely do they use added nitrites, in addition they use pure mesquite smoke taste, three totally different components that comprise MSG, and extra “pure taste” than actual spices. Oh, and did we point out simply three slices are full of 1 / 4 of your day’s value of sodium? That is undoubtedly not the answer to the best way to eliminate bloating.

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Eat This: Applegate Organics Roast Beef

PER 2 OZ (56 G): 80 energy, 3 g fats (1 g saturated fats), 400 mg sodium, 0 g carbs, 13 g protein

Not That: Hillshire Farm Deli Choose Extremely Skinny Sliced Roast Beef

PER 2 OZ (56 G): 70 energy, 3 g fats (1.5 g saturated fats), 490 mg sodium, 1 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 10 g protein

Go away the meat taste and caramel coloration—er, we imply Hillshire Farm’s Roast beef—on the shelf and seize a package deal of Applegate Organics Roast Beef. Comprised of natural beef, which research have discovered to be larger in heart-healthy omega-3s than standard cuts, these slices would be the greatest meat on your French dip or sandwich with spicy horseradish. It might be pricier, however natural beef is likely one of the 20 meals you need to all the time splurge on.

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Eat This: Applegate Naturals Uncured Genoa Salami

PER 1 OZ(28 G): 100 energy, 8 g fats (3 g saturated fats), 420 mg sodium, 1 g carbs, 7 g protein

Not That: Gallo/Galileo Italian Dry Salame

PER 1 OZ (28 G): 100 energy, 8 g fats (2.5 g saturated fats), 490 mg sodium, 1 g carbs (0 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 6 g protein

It is salty, fatty, scrumptious, and a staple of each Italian sub. If you are going to indulge, accomplish that along with your higher physique targets in thoughts and choose up a package deal of Applegate Naturals’ Genoa Salami. You may get the identical taste from Gallo (referred to as Galileo on the East Coast) however for fewer energy and grams of fats and with an additional gram of protein.

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Eat This: Hillshire Farm Naturals Black Forest Ham

PER 3 SLCIES (49 G): 50 energy, 1.5 g fats (0 g saturated fats), 500 mg sodium, 1 g carbs (0 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 9 g protein

Not That: Buddig Authentic Black Forest Ham

PER 4 SLICES (50 G): 90 energy, 5 g fats (2 g saturated fats), 590 mg sodium, 1 g carbs (0 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 9 g protein

Most deli meats fail in considered one of two methods: an excessive amount of fats or an excessive amount of sodium. Buddig’s merchandise routinely fail in each methods in comparison with their friends. Not solely in nutritionals, but in addition in components, throwing in components like caramel coloration and pure flavoring to provide their merchandise the looks of trying good and tasting good. Hillshire Farm’s Naturals line is made with none synthetic nitrites—solely getting them from celery juice powder—and let the meat converse for itself by eschewing any “pure flavors.” When you’re watching your sodium, we might additionally advocate looking at Applegate Naturals, whose black forest ham rings are simply shy of the 500-milligram mark at 470 milligrams.

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Eat This: Saag’s Pastrami

Per 2 oz (56 g): 80 energy, 3 g fats (1 g saturated fats), 560 mg sodium, 1 g carbs, 12 g protein

Not That: Buddig Authentic Pastrami

Per 2 oz (56 g): 100 energy, 7 g fats (3 g saturated fats), 600 mg sodium, 1 g carbs (0 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 9 g protein

Pastrami is often a Not That! with regards to those that are watching their sodium ranges. That is as a result of even the wholesome choices are filled with the stuff. Saag’s chilly cuts win out in comparison with Buddig right here as a result of it has greater than half the fats, fewer energy, and extra muscle-building protein. Plus, it is constituted of Alternative beef, one of many higher cuts of meat (second tier) in the marketplace.

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Eat This: Applegate Naturals Uncured Pork & Beef Pepperoni

PER 15 PIECES, 1 OZ (30 G): 140 energy, 12 g fats (5 g saturated fats), 570 mg sodium, 0 g carbs, 8 g protein

Not That: Hormel Pepperoni—25% Much less Fats

PER 1.1 OZ (30 G): 120 energy, 10 g fats (3.5 g saturated fats), 520 mg sodium, 0 g carbs, 7 g protein

Not That: Hormel Pepperoni—50% Much less Sodium

PER 1.1 OZ (30 G): 160 energy, 15 g fats (6 g saturated fats), 260 mg sodium, 0 g carbs, 5 g protein

Hormel serves up two meals that fulfill one of many weight reduction guidelines you possibly can cheat on: low-sodium and low-fat meals are usually not all the time greatest on your physique. In Hormel’s case, the pepperoni with much less fats is excessive in sodium and their much less sodium possibility ramps up the fats depend. You are higher off with their authentic possibility, which is average on each counts, or simply go for the most suitable choice: Applegate Naturals. Whereas Applegate packs in additional sodium than each of Hormel’s picks, we selected it over the latter as a result of it is made with omega-3-packed grass-fed meat and would not embody added nitrites or BHA and BHT preservatives.

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Eat This: Applegate Naturals Uncured Turkey Pepperoni

PER 17 SLICES (30 G): 80 energy, 4 g fats (1 g saturated fats), 600 mg sodium, 0 g carbs, 10 g protein

Not That: Hormel Turkey Pepperoni

PER 1 OZ (30 G): 70 energy, 4 g fats (1.5 g saturated fats), 570 mg sodium, 0 g carbs, 9 g protein

Turkey pepperoni goes to be naturally decrease in energy and fats in comparison with its pork counterpart, so we’re searching for pizza toppers who’ve easy components. Applegate’s chilly cuts win this spherical fingers down, as Hormel makes use of carcinogen-containing BHA and BHT as preservatives, together with “flavoring,” nitrite, and smoke taste. Applegate sticks to celery powder for nitrites and even provides an additional layer of safety with rosemary extract. This ingredient acts as an antioxidant, which can assist to restrict the flexibility of nitrites to type cancer-causing nitrosamines beneath situations of excessive temperatures. Nonetheless, Applegate’s turkey pepperoni continues to be excessive in sodium, so eat sparsely.

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Eat This: Tofurky Oven Roasted Deli Slices

PER 5 SLICES (52 G): 100 energy, 3.5 g fats (0 g saturated fats), 350 mg sodium, 5 g carbs (1 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 13 g protein

Not That: Yves Veggie Deli Turkey Slices

PER 5 SLICES (50 G): 80 energy, 1 g fats (0 g saturated fats), 300 mg sodium, 4 g carbs (0 g fiber, <1 g sugar), 13 g protein

Each vegetarianism and vegan meals are skyrocketing in reputation proper now due to the advocacy of the advantages of a plant-based weight loss program, which vary from fewer incidences of illness to raised weight administration. When contemplating what model to purchase, you wish to search for one with the least quantity of scary chemical compounds, and one thing that is low in carbs and sodium whereas being excessive in protein. Tofurky’s chilly cuts could also be larger in sodium in comparison with Yves, however Yves chooses to incorporate an ingredient we have advocated in opposition to consuming: carrageenan. This additive has been linked to irritation, ulcers, and different gastrointestinal issues. Plus, you will get a gram of satiating fiber by selecting Tofurky.

RELATED: 150+ recipe concepts that get you lean for all times.

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