Deli meats - any way to avoid sodium?

jordycg

Hi all, I really enjoy making a turkey or ham sandwich for lunch - however, the amount of sodium in prepackaged lunch meats (Hillshire Farms, Oscar Meyer, etc) is through the roof. Are there healthier options?

majope

Here's a list: http://www.lowsaltfoods.com/food_center/lsfoods/meat.htm#deli

peachypants

My grocery store has a low-sodium option for lunch meatS and turkey bacon.
I cook a bunch of chicken breast over the weekend and divide them up for lunch. Sometimes on a sandwich, salad or in a wrap! Sodium is in anything and everything processed. So your going to have to pick your battles on which food is worth it and which one isn't. Good luck!

DesignGrrl

My grocery store has a low-sodium option for lunch meatS and turkey bacon.
I cook a bunch of chicken breast over the weekend and divide them up for lunch. Sometimes on a sandwich, salad or in a wrap! Sodium is in anything and everything processed. So your going to have to pick your battles on which food is worth it and which one isn't. Good luck!

I do this too - and I shred the chicken so I can put it in wraps and on salads or make a low cal chicken salad mix. I definitely have a problem keeping my sodium down, and this has helped a lot!

ktsmom430

My very favorite sandwich is on a multi-grain sandwich round, with Di Lusso low sodium turkey breast and dijon mustard. This turkey breast is very good.
Deli meats/lunch meats are high in sodium, so you have to watch it closely if you are watching sodium.

HotAshMess

I would consider switching to the stuff sliced in the deli (with sales, it is usually cheaper). But most offer a low-sodium option.

I would also consider what the above posters shared....cooking chicken or turkey and preparing it yourself.

bcattoes

Processed meats are really bad for you. Why not just bake some meat at the beginning of the week, slice it and put in the fridge for sandwiches. Fresher, healthier, cheaper and you control the sodium.

jordycg

Thanks all - majope, that list is really helpful! I'll also consider cooking chicken breasts, I do like having deli meats around for when I've run out of time or forgotten to cook other things.

annemcharles

Gold Homestyle Thin & Trim turkey breast is low in sodium and tastes like real turkey (not all slimy like the other deli turkey). An even better and healthier option (since deli meats are so bad for you anyway)...maybe roast a turkey or chicken on weekends and have delicious roasted meat. I do that a lot and it tastes WAY better! :-)

ktsmom430

Actually, you have to watch sodium even when you are preparing your own chicken breasts or turkey.
There is a lot of added sodium to frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts and frozen turkey. You have to read the labels.
If you are going this route, fresh over frozen will be a better choice, not nearly the added sodium.

marygee1951

I was totally shocked when I saw how much sodium was in the packaged deli meats. I'm supposed to restrict my sodium, so no more deli meats for me. I'll be cooking chicken breasts from now on!:sad:

CoachReddy

Hi all, I really enjoy making a turkey or ham sandwich for lunch - however, the amount of sodium in prepackaged lunch meats (Hillshire Farms, Oscar Meyer, etc) is through the roof. Are there healthier options?

no. there aren't.

dsmpunk

Processed meats are really bad for you. Why not just bake some meat at the beginning of the week, slice it and put in the fridge for sandwiches. Fresher, healthier, cheaper and you control the sodium.

This. Your taste buds will thank you too.

skinnybearlyndsay

If you really need sandwich meats (I usually just go with tuna and guacamole), Boar's Head has a no salt added turkey breast. And it's pretty good. If I need sandwich meats, they're who I usually go with since they have low sodium options for ham and roast beef.

mommytoaiden

Some brands do offer low-sodium options. However, our local farmer's market sells fresh turkey breast they slice thin for deli meat. Not processed at all and really delicious.

thisismeraw

Make your own! Much better for you and so easy to do.

I make some for my husband often. I buy a large turkey breast, rub on some spices and roast it. Once cooled I slice it up. I do the same with chicken breast as well. I have also done the same with ham as well.

skinnybearlyndsay

Make your own! Much better for you and so easy to do.

I make some for my husband often. I buy a large turkey breast, rub on some spices and roast it. Once cooled I slice it up. I do the same with chicken breast as well. I have also done the same with ham as well.

This is an awesome idea!

joannanm

Thank you for this post. Just started this week and noticed the amount of sodium in the turkey I buy. Will definitely look for the low sodium options!

schondell

Many packaged meats have low sodium options, you could also just alternate between your regular high sodium meats one day and a veggie/meatless sandwich the next.

_Witsy_

Make your own! Much better for you and so easy to do.

I make some for my husband often. I buy a large turkey breast, rub on some spices and roast it. Once cooled I slice it up. I do the same with chicken breast as well. I have also done the same with ham as well.

This!

And man oh man does this make a DELICIOUS sandwich..NOMNOMNOM...

sah0724

I don't eat processed meats like that, I do however eat a can of tuna a day, I'll probably do a P&J sandwich before I eat those processed meats.

Mock_Turtle

I've pretty much ditched deli meats.

If I have a hankering for a sandwich I'll just make egg , tuna or chicken salad at home.

I think those franken meats are just a waste, dont even taste good. Plus the nitrates and **** in there.

I mean I could understand if you want something like a great Hungarian or German salami. But turkey/chicken breast or smoked red meats you could just replace with your own cooking imo.

CyberEd312

No real way to avoid some sodium when eating deli meats.. I prefer Sara Lee brand Deli meats. I prefer the Honey Roasted Turkey Breast, Which has 0g Trans Fat, Low Saturated Fat, Made with Whole Turkey Breast, Minimally Processed, Naturally Hardwood Smoked, No Added Hormones*, No Artificial Colors, No Artificial Flavor, No MSG. The Buffalo Style Chicken Breast is very good also... Pretty much has been a staple in my daily lunch plans for the last 4 years...... Best of Luck....

257_Lag

I miss deli meat. It has always been my weakness but since giving it up and eating healthy I have lowered my BP substantially.

Every time I go to the grocery store I study the selections hoping to find something low sodium and every time I walk away empty handed with a lil tear in my eye.

coolraul07

Here's a list: http://www.lowsaltfoods.com/food_center/lsfoods/meat.htm#deli

^^^THANK YOU for this link! I've found a few options here and there that are ~150-200mg/oz, but guide makes it so much easier!

When feasible, I make my own cold cuts. B/S chicken breast boiled and sliced for the week. London broil subbing for roast beef. Whole pork loin sliced thin subbing for ham. Krogers has a small (~2-3lb) boneless turkey breast in the meat freezer ("Private Selection"?); it's in a net-bag kinda like those big hams with a black and dark shiny wrap/label. I tried one 2 weeks ago and it was da bomb! Comes marinated and with a pop-up timer. If memory serves, it was only ~80-100mg/oz sodium! I will be stocking up on them.

*ETA: I sometime eat Tumaro flour tortillas instead of bread to lower sodium. They're equivalent to 2 slices of bread but only have 100-120mg sodium each. I've only found them locally at Martin's (part of Giant stores).

tsh0ck

Hi all, I really enjoy making a turkey or ham sandwich for lunch - however, the amount of sodium in prepackaged lunch meats (Hillshire Farms, Oscar Meyer, etc) is through the roof. Are there healthier options?

do you have a medical condition that requires you to curtail sodium intake? if no, then no worries.