It's a fact: 49 percent of Americans consume at least one sandwich each and every day, according to the USDA's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). And more than half of those sandwiches are assembled with pre-packaged deli meat, says a Nielsen report. But do you know what's actually in these cold cuts?
While these sandwich stackers might seem 'healthy,' their ingredient lists reveal that they have much more than meets the eye. Take Hillshire Farm's Thin Sliced Oven Roasted Turkey Breast, for example. Sounds like a good choice, right? But a close look at the ingredients reveals that it has: Turkey Breast, Turkey Broth, Modified Corn Starch, Vinegar, Contains 2% Or Less: Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Natural Flavorings (Including Celery Juice Powder), Carrageenan, Sea Salt.
Turkey lunch meat is lower in calories than most other lunch meats. A 100 g, or about 3.5 oz., serving of sliced turkey contains 99 calories. The same size serving of pastrami contains 147 calories, and the same amount of ham contains 163 calories. Other lunch meats, such as salami, are even higher in calories, with 388 calories per serving. Oscar Mayer Natural Deli Meat also makes a great addition to cheese and crackers or salads. Add Oscar Mayer Lunch Meat to your back to school supplies list. Keep the 14-ounce deli turkey tray refrigerated. Family Size Tray of Oscar Mayer Natural Slow Roasted Turkey Breast Lunch Meat.
Keep reading for a pro translation of what these beyond-turkey additions really mean—and what they mean for your body, as what's really in your cold cuts isn't necessarily the best for your overall health.
The Main Culprit of Deli Meat: Sodium
'When I think of deli meats and processed meats, the one thing most think of is salt,' says Jenna A. Werner, RD, creator of Happy Slim Healthy 'If you do choose to include deli meats in your menu, choose the right ones.'
The right ones might not be so clear, though, according to Erin Thole Summers, RD, a sports nutrition consultant in West Des Moines, Iowa. Yes, this is even true if you're opting for a seemingly all-natural option like grocery store roasted chicken. 'Rotisserie chicken may sound like a healthier option than deli meat since you're purchasing the entire chicken, but it still contains a high amount of sodium. Three ounces of rotisserie chicken can have close to 300 milligrams of sodium, which is comparable to deli meat,' Summers says. The American Heart Association recommends you consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium every day.
Turkey Lunch Meat Brands
Your best bet is to stick to fresh, home-roasted chicken, but you can still avoid the worst of all deli meats by following this handy guide: 'Seek out meat with less than 20 percent of your recommended daily value (345 milligrams or less) of sodium. Look for 'reduced sodium' or 'low sodium' on the label, and keep an eye out for varieties that are flavored with herbs and spices,' Thole says. 'Remember that turkey, chicken, and roast beef are always going to be better choices than ham, bologna, or salami, since the latter trio is higher in fat and more processed,' she adds.
Quicken merge two investment accounts. RELATED: The science-backed way to curb your sweet tooth in 14 days.
Additive #1: Turkey Broth
'This helps some with the natural flavoring, but it's mainly used as a moisture-booster,' Thole says. Savvy soup slurpers will know that this ingredient also cranks up the salt content.
It's crucial to keep in mind portion size due to additives such as this broth, Werner says. 'Most people will not stick to the two-ounce serving size, which includes 60 calories, 10 grams of protein and 490 milligrams of sodium—and that's already a lot of salt.' Double your portion to four ounces—a little bigger than a deck of cards—and you'll add nearly 1,000 milligrams of sodium or half a teaspoon of salt to your diet. That's without any condiments or bread—or the chips many of us snack on alongside the sub.
Additive #2: Modified Corn Starch
Pretty much everything pumped into deli meat is designed to help it last longer and taste juicier or more flavorful, according to Thole. 'Modified corn starch is a thickening agent that plumps up meat to make it go further.'
It also affects your taste experience, reports the Journal of Agricultural Science, which found that it helps meat 'retain a volatile flavor mixture' similar to regular roasted meat for up to four weeks.
While a little corn starch means this meat falls in the processed meats category, it doesn't necessarily mean its off-limits, Werner says. 'Truthfully, I'm on a turkey deli meat kick right now, but am mindful of my portion and what the rest of my daily diet looks like. I seek out brands with simple, minimal ingredients, low sodium and those that are unflavored (meaning no 'smoked,' 'honey' or 'sauced' styles.)'
Additive #3: Sodium Phosphate
The pH of meat, or the acidity level, plays a large role in how moist and juicy it is. Here's a far-from-appetizing stat: When an animal dies, its pH drops from 7 to about 5.4. 'By adding sodium phosphate, manufacturers can either trap moisture inside or increase the pH of the protein to improve water retention. This makes otherwise dry meat far from it,' Thole says.
Additive #4: Carrageenan
Carrageenan is commonly blended into ice creams, nut milk, puddings, baby formula, and, oh yes, many deli meats, as a thickening or plumping agent. While its name sounds intimidating, it's actually extracted from red seaweed and was found to be safe for human consumption in a review published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology.
Additive #5: Natural Flavorings
What 2 Ounces Of Turkey Lunch Meat Looks Like Rice
Take a bite of celery. What do you taste? Not much, right? That's because it's 95 percent water. 'The 'natural flavoring,' including celery juice powder, helps with moisture levels since celery has high amounts of fiber that helps attract water molecules,' Thole says.