Introduction
When it comes to pre-packaged meats, it can be hard to know which ones are healthy and which ones are not. Unfortunately, many of the pre-packaged meats on the market today are filled with unhealthy ingredients and additives that can be detrimental to your health. To help you make the best choices for your health, here are five pre-packaged meats to stay away from right now. From processed deli meats to canned meats, these are the meats you should avoid if you want to maintain a healthy diet.
5 Pre-Packaged Meats To Stay Away From Right Now
When it comes to eating healthy, pre-packaged meats can be a tricky subject. While they may be convenient, they often contain unhealthy ingredients and preservatives that can be detrimental to your health. To help you make the best choices for your diet, here are 5 pre-packaged meats to stay away from right now.
1. Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are a classic summertime favorite, but they are also one of the worst pre-packaged meats you can eat. Hot dogs are typically made with low-quality meats, such as beef, pork, and chicken, and are often loaded with sodium, nitrates, and other preservatives. To make matters worse, hot dogs are also high in saturated fat, which can increase your risk of heart disease.
2. Deli Meats
Deli meats, such as ham, turkey, and salami, are another type of pre-packaged meat that should be avoided. Deli meats are often high in sodium and nitrates, and they can also contain unhealthy fats and preservatives. Additionally, deli meats are often processed, which can strip away some of the beneficial nutrients.
3. Sausages
Sausages are another type of pre-packaged meat that should be avoided. Like hot dogs, sausages are typically made with low-quality meats and are loaded with sodium, nitrates, and other preservatives. Additionally, sausages are often high in saturated fat, which can increase your risk of heart disease.
4. Bacon
Bacon is another pre-packaged meat that should be avoided. Bacon is high in saturated fat and sodium, and it can also contain unhealthy preservatives. Additionally, bacon is often processed, which can strip away some of the beneficial nutrients.
5. Canned Meats
Canned meats, such as tuna, salmon, and sardines, are another type of pre-packaged meat that should be avoided. Canned meats are often high in sodium and preservatives, and they can also contain unhealthy fats. Additionally, canned meats are often processed, which can strip away some of the beneficial nutrients.
When it comes to eating healthy, it’s important to make the right choices. While pre-packaged meats can be convenient, they often contain unhealthy ingredients and preservatives that can be detrimental to your health. To help you make the best choices for your diet, here are 5 pre-packaged meats to stay away from right now.
As convenient as walking into your favorite supermarket and picking up ready-to-go dishes, some of these items may come at a high cost to your health. Between high sodium levels and saturated fats, the nutritional value of many pre-packaged products are worth keeping a cautious eye on.
Our nutrition experts have weighed in on several products that stood out for all the wrong reasons. While popular, these grocery items contain a number of nutritional concerns that most may not immediately notice.
Check out our list of several pre-packaged types of meat you should consider avoiding.
PER SERVING (5 OZ): 370 calories, 20 g fat (7 g saturated fat), 75 mg cholesterol, 750 mg sodium, 28 g carbs (0 g fiber, 25 g sugar), 19 g protein
Just one serving of Jack Daniels Pulled Pork will set you back 370 calories. Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, says that while the 5-ounce serving contains plenty of protein, it also has “35% the daily recommended amount of artery-clogging saturated fat and 31% the daily recommended amount of sodium.”
Amidor adds that this doesn’t include other items paired with the pulled pork, like bread. Even the flavoring can be a cause for concern as it contains 25 grams of sugar per serving, which Amidor says is equivalent to 5 teaspoons.
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PER 6 MEATBALLS: 200 calories, 13 g fat (4.5 g saturated fat), 60 mg cholesterol, 580 mg sodium, 7 g carbs (2 g fiber, 3 g sugar), 14 g protein
While meatballs can be convenient comfort food, these frozen ones from Cooked Perfect are far from healthy. An 85-gram serving of 6 meatballs contains 200 calories and 580 milligrams of sodium.
NutritionistLisa Young, Ph.D., RDN, says that these meatballs are not only “ultra-processed,” but they are high in fat and in sodium. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a sodium-heavy diet could have a number of health downsides that can lead to “complications like increased thirst, higher blood pressure, bloating, and poor sleep quality.”
PER 1/2 CUP (3 OZ): 220 calories, 17 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 45 mg cholesterol, 370 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 14 g protein
At first, Del Real Foods’ Carne Deshebrada Seasoned Shredded Beef may seem like a good option due to the reasonable levels of sodium and calories, but our nutritionists were alarmed by the saturated fat content.
Dr. Young noted that this kind of shredded beef is “high in fat and saturated fat.” At the same time, Amidor elaborated further, noticing that “the saturated fat is just too high at 30% your daily recommended amount per serving.”
Instead, Amidor suggested making your own shredded beef using a “lean cut of beef which would give you less saturated fat.”
PER SERVING (5 OZ): 310 calories, 15 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 50 mg cholesterol, 1,150 mg sodium, 24 g carbs (2 g fiber, 13 g sugar), 17 g protein
Our nutritionists agree that Target’s exclusive in-house brand of meatloaf is way too high in sodium. According to Dr. Young, “This contains 50 percent of the DV for sodium. Yikes!”
Amidor shared the concern, stating, “This bad boy not only has 25% of the daily recommended amount of saturated fat, but it also provides a whopping 50% of your daily recommended amount of sodium per serving which is over 1/2 teaspoon of salt!”
PER 1 PATTY: 290 calories, 23 g fat (9 g saturated fat, 1.5 g trans fat), 80 mg cholesterol, 75 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 19 g protein
This patty from TJ’s was one of our picks for the 8 Worst Frozen Burgers to Stay Away From Right Now. Timothy Wood, CCC, FNS agreed, stating that while the quality of the meat seems good based on the grass-fed label, the true concern lies in other elements, such as the amount of high fat, cholesterol, and calories.
Instead, Wood suggested opting for “a brand that ensures the cow was fed with 100% organic cow feed.”