Understanding Boar's Head Ham Nutrition by Serving
Boar's Head is a well-known provider of high-quality deli meats, offering a wide array of ham products. Since a single 'slice' can vary drastically in size and weight depending on how it's cut, it's more accurate to focus on the standard 2-ounce serving size used for nutritional labeling. For most of their popular ham varieties, a 2-ounce portion falls within a consistent, low-calorie range.
Popular Boar's Head Ham Varieties and Their Calories
To better illustrate the calorie count, let's break down some of Boar's Head's most popular deli ham options based on a standard 2-ounce serving:
- Branded Deluxe Ham: This is one of their leanest options. A 2-ounce serving contains approximately 60 calories.
- Tavern Ham: This popular choice also comes in at around 60 calories for a 2-ounce serving.
- Maple Glazed Honey Coat Ham: For a sweeter flavor, this variety also contains about 60 calories per 2-ounce serving.
- SmokeMaster Beechwood Smoked Black Forest Ham: Another option that provides approximately 60 calories per 2-ounce serving.
- Sweet Slice Boneless Smoked Uncured Ham: This specific product is also around 60 calories per 2-ounce serving.
How to Calculate Calories Per Slice
Since a single slice's weight can change, here’s a simple way to estimate calories per slice:
- Check the nutritional label: Find the calories for the standard 2-ounce serving. Most Boar's Head hams are 60 calories per 2 oz.
- Estimate the weight of your slice: A deli slicer's thickness setting directly affects the weight. For example, a setting of 1 yields a very thin slice, while a setting of 10 is much thicker. A good rule of thumb is that a 2-ounce serving might contain 2 to 4 slices, depending on the cut.
- Divide the total calories by the number of slices: If your 2-ounce portion has 3 slices, each slice is about 20 calories (60 calories / 3 slices). If it contains 4 slices, each is about 15 calories (60 calories / 4 slices).
Comparing Different Boar's Head Deli Hams
To help visualize the nutritional differences, the following table compares a few common Boar's Head ham varieties based on a standard 2-ounce serving:
| Feature | Branded Deluxe Ham | Tavern Ham | Maple Glazed Honey Coat Ham | 
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 60 | 60 | 60 | 
| Total Fat | 1g | 1.5g | 1g | 
| Saturated Fat | 0g | 0.5g | 0g | 
| Sodium | 590mg | 540mg | 570mg | 
| Sugars | 2g | 2g | 3g | 
| Protein | 9g | 10g | 10g | 
Other Nutritional Considerations
While calories are a key factor, it’s also important to consider other nutritional information when making dietary decisions. Here are some aspects to keep in mind:
- Sodium content: Deli meats, including those from Boar's Head, can be high in sodium. For example, the Branded Deluxe Ham has 590mg of sodium per 2-ounce serving, which is 25% of the daily value. Boar's Head does offer lower-sodium versions, so check the label if you are monitoring sodium intake.
- Protein content: Boar's Head deli ham is an excellent source of lean protein. For instance, the Tavern Ham provides 10 grams of protein in a 2-ounce serving.
- Fat content: Most ham varieties from Boar's Head are quite lean. As shown in the table, many contain 1 to 1.5 grams of total fat per 2-ounce serving.
- Additives and Ingredients: Boar's Head prides itself on producing meats without added fillers, by-products, artificial colors or flavors, or trans fat. Checking the full ingredients list on the packaging can provide more detail on any other components. For more health and wellness information, see the official Boar's Head website.
Conclusion
The number of calories in a slice of Boar's Head deli ham is not a fixed number, but rather a variable dependent on the specific ham product and how thinly it is sliced. Most lean ham options from Boar's Head hover around 60 calories per standard 2-ounce serving. By understanding this standardized serving size, you can accurately calculate the calories for your preferred portion size and make more informed decisions about incorporating deli ham into your diet. This simple calculation allows for better control over your nutritional intake without sacrificing the quality taste of Boar's Head products.