Tag: Homemade deli meat

Did you know that over 70% of the sodium Americans consume comes from processed foods, including many deli meats? Choosing the most nutrient dense lunch meat is key to building a healthier diet, providing high-quality protein and essential nutrients without excessive additives.

According to the World Health Organization, processed meats are classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, leading many people to question their sandwich meat choices. In fact, nearly all commercially available deli meat is processed, but this doesn't mean you have to give up sandwiches altogether. The key is to find or create alternatives that provide the flavor and convenience without the added chemicals and preservatives.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), processed meat is meat transformed through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, or other methods to enhance flavor or improve preservation. Given this broad definition, the short answer is yes: even homemade deli meat is considered processed.

According to a Consumer Reports study, store-bought deli meat contains 8 to 11 times more sodium than comparable fresh meat. Given these striking facts, many people ask: is homemade deli meat healthier than its commercial counterpart?