Here's How Turkey Breast Is Turned Into Deli Meat - Tasting Table

"By and large, deli meat - which includes things like turkey breast, ham, roast beef, and chicken breast - is a cut of meat that is seasoned, cooked, and sliced thinly. Processed meats like salami, pepperoni, and bologna are something else entirely. That being said, even whole turkey breast deli meat can have high sodium levels, preservatives, and other undesirable ingredients. A general rule is that it's likely that freshly sliced turkey breast from the deli counter is better for you."

"But not all deli turkey is created equally, and there are brands of low-quality deli turkey you should avoid at all costs. Prepackaged turkey meat is often a much more processed and less healthy option than whole deli turkey breast. It may contain meat from multiple parts of the bird that's been ground up, mixed with additives, binders, preservatives, and seasoning, and shaped into a circular log before being cooked and sliced."

"Preserved, packaged meats can be harmful to one's health because of the carcinogenic properties of the preservatives. Debra Ruzensky, a clinical dietitian, told the MD Anderson Cancer Center, "When nitrates and nitrites are added to processed meats and are exposed to heat, they become harmful. You're essentially introducing carcinogens right into the tissue of the lower intestine." To ensure that you're getting the best quality, healthiest deli turkey, there are a few things you can chec"

Whole deli turkey breast is a seasoned, cooked, thinly sliced cut distinct from processed meats such as salami, pepperoni, and bologna. Even whole turkey breast deli meat can contain high sodium levels, preservatives, and other undesirable ingredients. Freshly sliced turkey breast from the deli counter is generally healthier than prepackaged turkey. Prepackaged turkey often contains meat from multiple parts of the bird that is ground, mixed with additives, binders, preservatives, and seasonings, then formed into a log, cooked, and sliced. Preservatives like nitrates and nitrites can form carcinogens when exposed to heat and may pose health risks.

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