Cold cuts that are not highly processed

glfernandes828
glfernandes828 Posts: 101 Member
edited November 16 in Food and Nutrition
I make a lot of sandwiches with cold cuts like turkey and ham but most brands have so many nitrates and are so highly processed.

What are some brands that have no nitrates and are the least processed? Also what are some alternatives to using cold cuts in sandwiches? Thanks guys!

Replies

  • jenncornelsen
    jenncornelsen Posts: 969 Member
    I recommend either buying an in store (u can do this at home of course) roasted ham or a roasted chicken. All deli meats are processed so just disguise the word nitrates with nicer sounding words
  • jenncornelsen
    jenncornelsen Posts: 969 Member
    *Some not so
  • Csqueers
    Csqueers Posts: 7 Member
    Check out applegate farms they sell it at all the grocery stores around where I live.
    http://www.applegate.com/
  • dopeysmelly
    dopeysmelly Posts: 1,390 Member
    I buy turkey or chicken breast, just cook it myself and then slice it all up in one go. It's cheaper that way too.
  • AmZam05
    AmZam05 Posts: 130 Member
    If you can dedicate the time, it's much healthier and cheaper to buy a whole turkey, ham, or chicken and roast it yourself. Every couple months I roast a turkey and slice it, portion it in 8 oz bags and freeze it. If you get the meat when it's on sale (the last turkey I got was 59 cents/lb) you save a ton of money and there's no additives.
  • 4leighbee
    4leighbee Posts: 1,275 Member
    edited April 2015
    I use Sara Lee with no nitrates, as the nitrates/nitrites are a migraine trigger for me.

    Edited to spell the company name correctly.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    the correct answer is that it does not really matter...

    hit your calorie/micro/macro targets and the rest will take care of itself.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Boars Head is slightly better than some other brands. No nitrates as far as I know.
  • glfernandes828
    glfernandes828 Posts: 101 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    the correct answer is that it does not really matter...

    hit your calorie/micro/macro targets and the rest will take care of itself.

    That is for weight loss. I'm trying to make healthier eating options a lifestyle.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    AmZam05 wrote: »
    If you can dedicate the time, it's much healthier and cheaper to buy a whole turkey, ham, or chicken and roast it yourself. Every couple months I roast a turkey and slice it, portion it in 8 oz bags and freeze it. If you get the meat when it's on sale (the last turkey I got was 59 cents/lb) you save a ton of money and there's no additives.

    This is also what I do. I'm not much of a sandwich person, other than the occasional pbj, but my husband is so I roast meat and slice it up for him.
  • auntstephie321
    auntstephie321 Posts: 3,586 Member
    i'd say roasting meats at home and slicing would be a good option. you'll also avoid the hefty prices of some of the nitrite/nitrate free meats available
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    Boars Head All Natural products - http://boarshead.com/products/all-natural
  • LovelyIvy466
    LovelyIvy466 Posts: 387 Member
    edited April 2015
    Boars head and applegate are my go to as well. Boars head is priced better.
  • sharifit53
    sharifit53 Posts: 54 Member
    Have the deli slice it for you. I haven't checked the label but I know it sure tastes better than the prepackaged stuff.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Maple Leaf Natural Selections, available here in Canada. I get the roast chicken and turkey.
  • Cheryllynnhagen
    Cheryllynnhagen Posts: 51 Member
    I buy a Costco ham bake, slice and freeze, same with real Turkey. It take more thought and prep (my husband does it for me) but worth the taste without all the bad stuff. I eat sandwiches almost everyday for lunch so this is important to me. My sodium intake was REALLY high with processed meats too. I find that roast beef doesn't seem to freeze well or it tastes funny to me after thawing.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    the correct answer is that it does not really matter...

    hit your calorie/micro/macro targets and the rest will take care of itself.

    That is for weight loss. I'm trying to make healthier eating options a lifestyle.

    umm not that is for overall health as well.

    If you are hitting your micros then you are going to be healthy because you are getting the proper nutrients, vitamins, etc.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    the correct answer is that it does not really matter...

    hit your calorie/micro/macro targets and the rest will take care of itself.

    That is for weight loss. I'm trying to make healthier eating options a lifestyle.

    umm not that is for overall health as well.

    If you are hitting your micros then you are going to be healthy because you are getting the proper nutrients, vitamins, etc.

    Not necessarily. Getting in the RDA of micros is not a guarantee of health.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Just go to the deli can have them cut the cold cuts for you- it's what my BF does- he's a sammich person- works pretty well.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    the correct answer is that it does not really matter...

    hit your calorie/micro/macro targets and the rest will take care of itself.

    That is for weight loss. I'm trying to make healthier eating options a lifestyle.

    umm not that is for overall health as well.

    If you are hitting your micros then you are going to be healthy because you are getting the proper nutrients, vitamins, etc.

    Not necessarily. Getting in the RDA of micros is not a guarantee of health.

    what is then?

    because I am pretty sure that none of us have a 100% guarantee of health...
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    Great, another thread derail.

    Who cares why the OP wants to do what they want to do? There are zero negative outcomes if OP goes down that path, so how about we just help 'em out by answering the actual question...
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    You know that sodium nitrite in meats prevents botulism and without it your slices of meat would be gray and nasty looking when you bought them at the store. Most of the meats that say “natural” or “organic" use celery juice concentrate and while it's natural it still contains a lot of nitrates.

    Applegate Farms does seem to have the lowest nitrate meats. Aside from that you'll need to cook and slice your own turkey/chicken/ham to get it totally free of nitrates.
  • HumboldtFred
    HumboldtFred Posts: 159 Member
    Nothing beats a Costco rotisserie chicken for plain value. Sammiches, tacos, soup and stock from the same 5$ bird.
  • mariel918
    mariel918 Posts: 10 Member
    Boars Head All Natural products - http://boarshead.com/products/all-natural

    Boars head in my opinion is the best deli meat . On the priced side but the quality and taste makes it worth it !

  • Tigg_er
    Tigg_er Posts: 22,001 Member
    Mr_Knight wrote: »
    Great, another thread derail.

    Who cares why the OP wants to do what they want to do? There are zero negative outcomes if OP goes down that path, so how about we just help 'em out by answering the actual question...

    ^^Agree,,
    Columbus Salame Company - Italian Dry Salami - Reduced Sodium
    Applegate Farms is worth a look also

  • jddnw
    jddnw Posts: 319 Member
    I eats turkey wraps from the sodexo cafeteria where I work or a local deli. I don't know what brand of meat they are using and I feel confident that what I don't know won't hurt me. So I'm good.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    edited April 2015
    I either roast or slow cook chicken or turkey parts and use that for lunches. Sometimes other meats too, but those both are easy. I got a bunch of turkey parts from a farm I get meat from so tried the slow cooking thing and was delighted to realize it makes for delicious and tender turkey, even from the breast, but also from the legs and wings.

    (Since I'm not that into sandwiches I pack it in tupperware with veggies and sometimes rice or potatoes/sweet potatoes/root veg or the like, but it would work great for sandwiches if that's your thing.)
  • glfernandes828
    glfernandes828 Posts: 101 Member
    Thanks everyone!!! So much good advice
  • jetortola
    jetortola Posts: 198 Member
    jgnatca wrote: »
    Maple Leaf Natural Selections, available here in Canada. I get the roast chicken and turkey.

    This for me as well! We have a local meat shop that sells it very cheaply as it's usually only 7-10 days until is best before date but we only buy 1-week's worth at a time. We don't eat it every day, but maybe 2-3 times a week.
This discussion has been closed.