The One Deli Meat That Makes Inflammation So Much Worse, According To Weight Loss Experts

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.