Processed Meats: Health Risks & Healthy Alternatives

Question
I have been trying to eat healthy lately and was wondering about processed meats.  I usually have a sandwich for lunch that includes sliced ham and turkey breast bought from the local deli.  Are these kinds of meats not good for me?  If so, what can I substitue with?  Also, what about packaged cheese slices? I appreciate your help.  Any other tips/suggestions would be appreciated as well.

Answer
Hi Niall,

Heavily processed meats, like sausages, hot dogs, smoked meats, or salami, pastrami, etc are not good choices because of their high fat and salt content.

Deli meats like turkey or chicken breast are better choices. The ham is a higher fat/sodium choice than the turkey or chicken, but better than salami or pastrami.

As far as cheese, I would suggest avoiding the processed cheese slices altogether and use regular cheeses instead. Use cheese sparingly, however - it is nutritious but has a high fat content.

You might want to consider including a plant-based protein source at least once a week - eating less meat and more plant protein has many health benefits. Try a hummus or lentil spread, or vegetarian deli slices, for example. You can find some recipes at my site, getfitwithkaren.com.

Hope that helps!

Karen