Lunch Meats

In Eatin’ Lean Berardi says to avoid consuming most lunch meats. Does this include things like sliced turkey and chicken? If so, why?

lots of sodium and nasty chemicals is my only guess, although to be honest with you when bulking I will pick up a few packages, quick and cheap calories and protein…

yeah, when I’m not dieting I don;t really pay attention to sodium content and the sort. I usually grab a few of the 10lb ‘sacks o’ chicken breasts’ at BJ’s WHolesale and bring several with me to work each day. Sure they’re not the best quality meat, but sometimes you gotta really try hard for quantity.

Im talking about going to the deli and getting sliced boars head chicken or turkey. Not packets of meat.

I’d say it’s better than eating nothing; especially when you’re in the midst of gaining.

bobo,

All the boars head deli products have full nutritional breakdowns on them on there packaging. If you ask the deli person to show it to you, they will.

You can also call boars head customer service, 800-352-6277.

They don’t list macro breakdowns on their website, but they are happy to give them to you over the phone.

-Sean

I live on deli meat it is good…Big Martin…ps espicially roast beef

bobopunxs, Boar’s Head is a quality product. It’s real meat and doesn’t have the fillers, nitrates, nitrites, etc.

It’s more expensive than non-deli meat, but it’s a great option.

I belive the reason is that it isn’t the best quality. THey’re made of what’s left over. I think they are high in sodium (like everyone said) and I believe the fat contents are fairly high

I’ve got one of those Boar’s Head nutrition brochures, there stuff isn’t too bad for you. I’d stick with their sliced chicken and turkey which are high in protein and negligible in fat.
The sodium isn’t too much of an issue with the stuff either unless you eat 40 slices.
I really don’t know what chemicals they put in the stuff, but I’m ASSUMING Boar’s Head goes for more natural cuisine than the stuff you buy by the chunk at Sam’s Club.

Muscle Media 2000 ran an excellent piece covering this
very topic about 8 yrs ago. If my memory serves me correctly,
they ran tests checking the amino acid profiles of all the
top brands of deli-meat, and the deli-meats “failed miserably!”
(I believe Boar’s Head was included.)

These tests, however, may have just been dealing with turkey
breast. Their conclusion: deli-meats are vastly inferior sources
of protein!

Check out some of the Boar’s Head nutritional facts that I
obtained from (http://www.maybardeli.com/nutrition.html).
Their sliced deli-style turkey breast tends to only yield
between 6 to 6.5 grams of protein per ounce - Regular
homemade turkey breast yields between 8 to 8.5 grams
of protein per ounce. The fall-off in protein is probably due
to gelatins (horse hooves) used in the processing in order
retain moisture.

Conclusion: Boar’s Head may may not use nitrates or
MSG, but something’s not “Kosher” with their meats;
otherwise, there wouldn’t be such a fall off in protein
values.

Oven Roasted Chicken Breast
Serving Size - 2 ounces - Calories: 50 - Carbohydrates: 1 gram
Total Fat: 1 gram Protein: 11 grams

Cracked Pepper Mill Smoked Turkey Breast
Serving Size 2 ounces - Calories: 60 Carbohydrates 0 grams
Total Fat: 0.5 grams - Protein: 13 grams

Mesquite Wood Smoked Roasted Breast of Turkey
Serving Size - 2 ounces - Calories: 60 - Carbohydrates: 1 gram
Total Fat : 0.5 grams - Protein: 14 grams

Ovengold Roast Breast of Turkey
Serving Size: 2 ounces - Calories: 60 - Carbohydrates 1 gram
Total Fat: 1.5 grams - Protein: 12 grams

Salsalito Roasted Breast of Turkey
Serving Size: 2 ounces - Calories: 60 - Carbohydrates: 1 gram
Total Fat: 0.5 grams - Protein: 13 grams

tried posting this last night, posting monster must have ate it.

boars head has the nutrional info on there site afterall

I love it.

I think Berardi is looking out for your bank account. Bobo, deli meats are expensive and not as good as whole cuts. Keep intake to a minimum, but small amounts should be fine.