OK. Got caught with not enough filling snacks while doing errands :(, so I bought some sliced turkey and roast beef at the deli. My 18 month old loved them!!!! :) He usually gets his protein only rom chicken shnitzel (cutlets), mozarella cheese, egg whites, yogurt...(he does not like meatballs, or roast turkey, or chicken breast or peanut butter or almond butter) so I was thrilled he like this. However, I am wary about how healthy it may or may not be to serve deli turky or beef.
I don't intend to serve such meat every day, but was considering once or twice a week for lunch. Any input or advice either way would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
the brand that Jennifer is referring to is Hormel. It is $2.50 at Walmart. No preservatives, no nitrates, no artificial ingredients, no MSG & no hormones. WAY cheaper than the ones I was buying at Whole Foods for $6.99!!! My 1 yr old likes cold cuts as well and so I buy the good kind. A registered Dietician friend of mine, told me about Hormel.
I think the Boars Head meets and cheeses are pretty healthy. I buy the low sodium one's. Most are part of the Feingold diet which is a pretty healthy diet. Their products do not contain any fillers, gluten, artificial colors, flavors or trans fats. So I think it can be fine for young kids.
There are deli meats w/o nitrites. Try Boar's Head, more expensive, but worth it. Sprouts and Sunflower carry nitrate free deli meats.
There is now a 'natural' variety available in the refrigerator section, I forget by who right now. It's in a light brown and red box, says Natural on it, meaning no yucky preservatives.
Also, Trader Joe's carries these awesome chicken breakfast sausages. My kids loved those. Still do.
And don't forget those cute toddler sausges. They are preservative free.
the problem with cold cuts (deli meat) is that it is processed and has notrates and nitrites (even boarshead)! But there are NATURAL cold cuts in the prepackaged section at Walmart that are minimally processed and have NO nitrates, nitrites or MSG!! And there only $2.50 a pack! My kids and I love them.
i give my toddler applegate farms cold cuts. they sell them prepackaged or maybe in the deli dept at whole foods. they don't use nitrates and have a lot less sodium. the company also raises the animals humanely, which is important to me. some of them are organic as well. they do cost more money but to me it is worth it. hope this helps!
There is nothing wrong with sliced deli meats. I would probably stick to higher quality meats rather than the "store" brands as things like Boars Head have fewer additives. All the brands are high in sodium, but served once or twice a week as part of a balanced diet should not pose a problem.
My son loves deli meats. If you can find some without nitrates in it, that's best. Other than nitrates, I don't know of any reason why the meat is bad. It's easy and it tastes great!
I agree with most everyone here... nitrates are proven to cause cancer (however, using the word "toxic" is so ambiguous). Your doctor will even tell you to watch the nitrates if you mention the list of foods you feed your children and yourself. We've switched to a few organic products like organic hot dogs... but we haven't done the whole pantry in organic, just a few that I feel is best for us.
I buy the Hormel natural sliced meats that everyone is talking about here on the posts. Glad to see I'm not the only one watching the nitrates :)
You are doing everything right with foods! Keep it up!
Some deli meats are labeled as approved by the AHA ... American Heart Association. Better for cholesterol as well as sodium. I remember from my nursing days that kids cholesterol intake should be monitored beginning age two and I personally believe that it is better not to introduce too salty of items so that your son won't get "used" to them.
With a little label browsing I'm sure you'll be able to find some healthy deli options.
Good job mom for caring so much about your child!!
If you can, get the kind without any preservatives in it/nitrites/nitrates.
Some deli meats are full of these preservatives... and very high sodium.
Maybe you can look at whole foods or something.
Some 18 month olds... eat far worse food than that. So don't feel bad. It was a random thing that happened.
Ultimately, ask you Pediatrician.
For me, at that age, I did not feed my kids process/preserved/deli meats.
all the best,
Susan
There are deli meats that have no MSG and lower sodium, yes they are more expensive. I did give my son some of them. We have to get the good stuff in them some how. Also have you tried beans? We make white northern beans, from the dry package. Soak them over night and then rinse, put them in the crok pot (I use the crock pot liners) with a ham steak and instant dinner. My son loves them. He also likes kidney beans.. but just the beans. I do not see anything wrong with giving them this once in a while. I would make sure to by smaller portions and serve with in a few days of purchasing them.
Nitrites and nitrates would be enough to keep me away. There are SO many preservatives in that stuff unless you can find some that doesn't have it. Also watch for artificial colors....all toxins.....
Next time you are at a grocery store that carries Boar's Head products, pick up one of the pamphlets at the deli that has the nutrition information listed for each of their deli items. I'm pretty sure that they have SEVERAL that are nitrate and preservative and additive free. Plus, Boar's Head tastes so much better than the store brands!
We also buy Hebrew National hotdogs... no nitrates ...
I would stick to good quality meats, like Boars Head, and choose only the nitrite-free ones. If the deli counter help doesn't know which are nitrite-free (they should, but usually don't) - the best tip is to avoid meats that are pink, like most hams. Last time I was at the grocery store the Boars Head Rep was there and I asked him. That's what he told me - that the nitrites are what gives the meat, like ham, the pink color. Raw ham - or pork - is not pink, it's white.
Hope this helps!
If you go to the deli counter there are low sodium options as well as nitrate free options. These would be your best choices. My 14 month old loves them! I would stick with chicken or turkey as these tend to be "healthier" options. Beef and pork tend to carry more preservatives.
Ask your deli for the meat with the least amount of additives and preservatives. I wouldn't serve the beef unless it has been fully cooked and in most cases it is nearly raw.
Ditto on Christina's response. I also buy the Hormel meat at Walmart. $2.50 a pack and it is also comes out to be cheaper than the deli meat. I did not know there were nitrate free at the deli, but I like to have the half pound packs to open when I need them.
Deli meats can be full of fillers, sugar, salt, nitrates, corn syrup, etc, etc, so just make sure you are reading the ingredients before purchasing the meats. I think Boar's Head is supposed to be good, and I know Whole Foods has cold cuts that are healthier.
Good luck!
~G.
www.bebettertoyourself.blogspot.com
Sure, why not? There's brand of deli meats called Applegate Farms or something like that -- Google it -- that are free of nitrates and fillers. Good luck. You're so lucky to have a child that eats a variety of foods.
