This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
It’s sad, but it’s true: the main food you go to a deli for, the deli meats, is the exact one you should never order from them, health experts agree.
“These meats like lunch meat, salami, and spam are loaded with dextrose, nitrates, sulfates, and other sugars,” Lisa Richards, a nutritionist and author of The Candida Diet tells us.
These proinflammatory meats are high in sugar, she notes, and when paired with refined white bread and high fat cheeses, they make a very unhealthy meal.
“Lunch meats, including bologna and salami, are among the unhealthiest items because they contain lots of sodium, preservatives like nitrites, and sometimes fat,” nutritionist Lisa Young, PhD, RDN and author of “Finally Full, Finally Slim” agrees.
But there’s one deli meat in particular that you should avoid at *all* costs nutritionists agree. Here’s everything you need to know:
Salami
“The worst food to buy from a deli is salami,” nutrition researcher and nutritionist Hiba Batool of Marham.pk tells us.
"Just looking at it will show you that how much fat it contains. The extra fat adds up to the overall calories, making it a nightmare for weight watchers. Salami is very bad for people with heart disease, too, as it is rich in saturated fat." Yikes!
"Although it may taste great, one of the worst foods for your health that you can purchase from a deli is salami. The main factors that make salami taste good are fat and salt," medical researcher and writer Dr. Mubashar Rehman of HealthCreeds.com agrees.
But it gets worse. "A number of commercial salami brands prepare it with sodium nitrates, sodium nitrite, preservatives like BHT, and BHA. They also contain other undesirable elements in the mix, including artificial smoke or chemical flavors," Dr. Rehman warns. That is horrible!
Processed meat that is smoke-cured also carries a higher carcinogenic risk, "which may increase the risk of cancer by altering cellular metabolism or damaging DNA directly in cells," he notes. Well, now we've lost our appetite.
So, what should you order instead?
"Deli's offer alternatives like salads packed with vegetables and plant based proteins such as chickpeas or quinoa," Lisa advises.
"Opting for more whole foods and less processed foods at the deli will ensure you are taking in a nutrient dense meal and bypassing foods high in calories, fat, and harmful ingredients." Good tip!
