Americans love their sandwiches, eating more than 300 million each day, according to the Arizona Farm Bureau. If you like meat on your sandwiches, Boars Head offers a wide variety of options, including heart-healthy choices. You can choose the cuts of Boars Head meat that are best for your diet by being aware of their nutrition facts.
Boars Head offers more than 15 different turkey lunch meat options, including all natural, smoked, honey and maple-flavored. The no-salt-added, oven-roasted turkey is a good choice if you’re searching for a heart-healthy lunch meat. A 2-ounce serving has 70 calories, 1 gram of total fat, 15 grams of protein, and 55 milligrams of sodium. With 70 calories and 0 sodium, the maple-glazed honey-coat-cured turkey is still a heart-healthy choice. Each 2-ounce serving contains 5 grams of total fat, 14 grams of protein, 2 grams of carbohydrates, and 440 milligrams of sodium. Consuming processed foods like lunch meat is one way to get too much sodium in your diet, which raises your risk of high blood pressure. For better health, limit your intake to less than 2,300 milligrams a day.
If you like chicken sandwiches, Boars Head also offers a variety of choices, including low-sodium and flavored options. A heart-healthy option, the Golden Classic Oven Roasted, 42% Lower Sodium Chicken has 60 calories, 1 gram of total fat, 13 grams of protein, and 350 mg of sodium per 2-ounce serving. Alternatively, try the Blazing Buffalo Style Roasted Chicken, which has 460 mg of sodium, 1 gram of total fat, 13 grams of protein, and 60 calories per serving.
Roast beef, corned beef, and beef brisket are among the Boars Head beef options; however, none of them are heart-healthy. The top-round roast beef has 80 calories, 2. Each 2-ounce serving contains 5 grams of total fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 13 grams of protein, 2 grams of carbohydrates, and 350 mg of sodium. In contrast, a 2-ounce portion of low-sodium roast beef has 90 calories, 3 grams of total fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 15 grams of protein, and 80 milligrams of sodium, making it an unhealthy choice for heart health. According to the American Heart Association, heart-healthy meats must have 20 mg or less of cholesterol and 1 gram or less of saturated fat per serving. There are 40 milligrams of cholesterol in top-round roast beef and 35 milligrams in low-sodium roast beef.
More heart-healthy ham lunch meat options from Boars Head are available, such as the Branded Deluxe Ham 42 Percent Lower Sodium and the All Natural Applewood Smoked Uncured Ham. Boars Head’s heart-healthy Applewood smoked ham has 70 calories, 2 grams of total fat, and 0 cholesterol in an ounce. A serving of the heart-healthy, lower-sodium ham has 60 calories, 1 gram of total fat, 10 grams of protein, 2 grams of carbohydrates, and 480 milligrams of sodium. In contrast, a serving of the higher-sodium ham has 5 grams of saturated fat, 11 grams of protein, 1 gram of carbohydrates, and 440 milligrams of sodium.
So, you’re wondering if Boar’s Head turkey is a healthy lunch meat option? You’re not alone! With so many conflicting opinions about processed meats, it’s hard to know what to believe
The good news is that Boar’s Head turkey can be a healthy choice but it’s important to understand the nuances of nutrition and choose wisely. Let’s dive into the details!
The Good News: Boar’s Head Turkey Can Be a Healthy Choice
Boar’s Head offers a variety of turkey lunch meats, many of which are considered heart-healthy options. These meats are typically:
- Low in fat: Many Boar’s Head turkey options contain less than 2 grams of total fat per 2-ounce serving. This makes them a good choice for people watching their fat intake.
- High in protein: Turkey is a great source of protein, which is essential for building and maintaining muscle mass. A 2-ounce serving of Boar’s Head turkey can provide up to 15 grams of protein.
- Low in sodium: Some Boar’s Head turkey options are lower in sodium, making them a better choice for people who need to watch their sodium intake.
The Not-So-Good News: Some Boar’s Head Turkey Options Are High in Sodium
While some Boar’s Head turkey options are heart-healthy, others are not. Some varieties can be quite high in sodium, which can be detrimental to your health. It’s important to read the nutrition label carefully before making a purchase.
Choosing the Healthiest Boar’s Head Turkey Options
Here are some tips for choosing the healthiest Boar’s Head turkey options:
- Look for low-sodium options: Opt for turkey varieties that have less than 400 milligrams of sodium per 2-ounce serving.
- Choose oven-roasted or grilled turkey: These cooking methods are generally healthier than other methods, such as frying.
- Avoid turkey with added sugars or flavorings: These can add unnecessary calories and unhealthy ingredients to your diet.
Comparing Boar’s Head Turkey to Other Lunch Meats
Boar’s Head turkey is generally a healthier choice than other lunch meats, such as bologna, ham, and roast beef. However, it’s important to remember that all processed meats should be consumed in moderation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boar’s Head turkey gluten-free?
Yes, Boar’s Head turkey is gluten-free.
Can I eat Boar’s Head turkey on a low-carb diet?
Yes, Boar’s Head turkey can be a good option for a low-carb diet. Just be sure to choose a low-sodium variety and pair it with low-carb vegetables or salads.
Is Boar’s Head turkey safe for pregnant women?
Yes, Boar’s Head turkey is safe for pregnant women to eat in moderation. However, it’s always best to check with your doctor first.
Boar’s Head turkey can be a healthy lunch meat option, but it’s important to choose wisely. Look for low-sodium, oven-roasted or grilled turkey varieties and avoid options with added sugars or flavorings. Remember, all processed meats should be consumed in moderation.
Additional Resources
By understanding the nuances of Boar’s Head turkey and making informed choices, you can enjoy this delicious lunch meat as part of a healthy diet.
Bologna, Wursts and Loaves
None of the bologna, wursts or loaves from Boars Head makes a heart-healthy lunch meat option. 150 calories, 13 grams of total fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 7 grams of protein, and 520 milligrams of sodium are found in a 2-ounce portion of beef bologna. With 120 calories, 8 grams of total fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 9 grams of protein, 1 gram of carbohydrates, and 450 milligrams of sodium per 2 ounces, the Lite Braunschweiger Liverwurst has less sodium but is still high in fat.