When it comes tasty sandwiches, many of us would agree that the meat is one of the best parts. Luckily, it can also be a great source of protein. However, it’s important to remember that some types of meat are healthier for you than others—and unfortunately, many of the options you come across at the deli are packed with additives and preservatives that make them a poor choice, especially if you’re trying to keep inflammation at bay and lose weight. In fact, there’s one type of deli meat in particular that health experts say you should avoid as much as possible if you want to keep your body healthy and inflammation-free.
To discover the worst deli meat for inflammation, we spoke to health coach Joanna Wen, founder of Spices & Greens. She told us that salami is among the most inflammatory options. Read on to learn more about the health effects of this tasty but detrimental deli option.
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Salami
In general, you should limit your intake of all processed meats as much as possible if you want to keep inflammation to a minimum and lose weight. However, according to Wen, you should be sure to steer clear of salami in particular. "Of all the deli meat choices, salami is by far the worst culprit when it comes to causing inflammation in the body," she warns.
There are a few reasons salami can lead to and worsen inflammation. For one, Wen points out that it contains "unhealthy processed fat," which is one major culprit of inflammation and weight gain. Additionally, she tells us that "it’s also often highly cured with nitrates, additives, and fillers that can worsen inflammation." Yikes!
What to eat instead
The fact that you should consider cutting out salami doesn't mean you have to give up deli meats altogether. If you're looking for a healthier swap, Wen has some advice. "To get the maximum benefit from deli meats without unwanted side effects like weight gain or inflammation, swap out high-fat options like salami for healthier alternatives like turkey breast slices or lean ham," she suggests.
Not only are turkey and ham tasty options to add to your sandwich, but they're also "much lower in saturated fats and contain fewer preservatives than processed deli meats like salami," according to Wen. Plus, they offer up a healthy amount of protein while remaining lower in cholesterol and many of those unhealthy additives found in salami.
The bottom line
All in all, managing inflammation will require you to make healthy choices every day, from getting ample exercise to incorporating healthy foods into your diet. Cutting out inflammatory foods is just one step towards a healthier body—but limiting your intake of processed meats like salami is a great place to start.
