Trip to Whole Foods – on a Quest for Healthy Lunch Meat

In my quest for healthy, ‘clean’ eating for me and my family, I am trying to avoid chemicals and preservatives in foods. One item that we buy for Melanie’s lunch (when we don’t have ‘leftovers’ for her Thermos) is lunch meat. I had heard before about not buying anything pink – like ham- because it contains nitrates which are bad for you. But check this link out that I stumbled upon commenting on the exact same subject.  http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/choose-healthier-lunch-meat-six-key-ingredients-avoid-040000758.html

Here’s a highlight of what I found most interesting and shocking!

 Q: What ingredients do you think we should be avoiding?

A: Make sure your food always contains ingredients that you know, and can pronounce! Here is a list of ingredients you should avoid:
Sodium nitrate/sodium nitrite: Increased risk of cancers, diabetes and heart disease
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole): Possible carcinogen
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene): Possible carcinogen
Smoked/naturally smoked/smoke flavour: Could contain unlisted toxic chemicals.
Corn syrup: Glucose-heavy, and too much sugar can lead to diabetes, heart disease and other health issues
Aspartame: Possible health risks including delayed mental development and seizures

Also, be conscious of excess sodium. For example, Maple Leaf Natural Selections turkey has 570 mg sodium per serving, which is nearly half of our daily recommended intake (1000 to 1500 mg)! And keep in mind that food manufacturers are not required to list all the ingredients if they fall under spices and seasonings -- something to keep in mind when you're eyeballing the Cajun chicken or the honey-smoked ham. If you have common food allergies, check for wheat, soy, or milk products, which are sometimes added to deli meats. If you have digestive problems, it's best to avoid carrageenan, which is a common ingredient.

It’s just proof that people in Marketing get paid to ‘fool’ us really, if you don’t read the fine print and check the ingredients out you would think the Maple Leaf Natural Selections Turkey would be a healthy alternative- but look at the salt!!!!

So when I visited Whole Foods, I went to their ‘Deli Counter’, they seriously had only a few pieces of meat to choose from... and just like the article quoted above mentioned:

Look for roast beef or chicken at the deli counter, where you can actually see that they are cutting the meat from the animal. Avoid the pre-packed stuff if you aren't certain where it comes from, and if you don't see the ingredients listed at the deli counter, make sure to ask the staff.

So look what I found at Whole Foods... Whole Roasted Turkey, Beef and Ham.

And look at the ingredients...

I feel like I have to say 'Ta Da'!

How about, 'Feel good about what you put in your body!'. I should be Whole Foods next Marketing Genius!  So as the article mentioned, I ask the staff how long this 100 grams of turkey will last and she said '3 days Ma'am'. Alrighty then.... Melanie you are having a couple of turkey sandwiches in the next few days my girl!