You will probably have heard at some point that jamón, specifically jamón serrano, makes you put on weight, and that because it comes from pork and pork is bad for your health, jamón will also make you gain weight, leading you to automatically rule it out of your diet—especially if you are following a weight-loss plan. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. At Enrique Tomás, we are going to explain why this is not true and why you can buy jamón serrano whenever you fancy it, and completely guilt-free!
Does jamón serrano make you put on weight?
It is well known that jamón serrano is the quintessential product of Spanish gastronomy and, generally speaking, we all fall head over heels for its flavour and variety. So much so, that it is a staple in most homes across the Iberian Peninsula, and an increasing number of households in other countries are including it as an essential delicacy to import from our country.
It is also known that, because it comes from pork, we associate it straight away with excess fat and a high calorie count. If we want to watch our weight or slim down, we deprive ourselves of it completely. To say that jamón serrano makes you put on weight is true, but like everything we eat, only if we consume it in excess. We must bear in mind that 100 g of jamón serrano contains around 240 calories and roughly 13 grams of fat. That might seem like a lot, but when we trim off that external, superficial fat, we are left with about 200 calories of a mouth-watering cured product that will also provide the vitamins and minerals our bodies need.
Our Gran Reserva Zero Cero jamón
The revolution of the lighter jamón has arrived with Enrique Tomás's Gran Reserva Zero Cero jamón. You can buy the jamón that doesn't make you put on weight on its own or in various special offer packs in our online shop. A jamón that comes from the central part of the bone of our Gran Reserva Jamón: pure protein, zero fat and that classic flavour.
Therefore, what we must avoid is consuming more calories than necessary each day to maintain our weight and follow a balanced diet without having to dispense with jamón at any point, if we wish to continue enjoying all the benefits of the Mediterranean diet. Can you therefore eat jamón if you are on a diet? The answer is a clear yes, and you will be doing the right thing.
The only objection we could raise against jamón serrano is its salt level, which is higher than that of jamón ibérico. For individuals with high blood pressure, this could cause some issues, so it is advisable to consult your GP. But if that applies to you, don't worry—your doctor's recommendation will almost certainly be for you to eat jamón ibérico because not only does it contain less salt, but it will also help you regulate your cholesterol, which is another enemy of hypertension.
So, can you have jamón serrano for supper?
Of course you can; we hope you have no doubts left now. You can have jamón for supper, lunch or breakfast depending on your preference, always remembering that it is not so much about *when* you eat it, but *how*: the accompaniments can be much higher in calories than the jamón itself, and above all, bear in mind that excess is always ill-advised, no matter the ingredient.
To give you a few ideas, here you will find several recipes where you can combine delicious jamón with other low-calorie foods, such as some eye-catching cold skewers for supper now that the warmer weather is arriving, or a good jamón sandwich for breakfast. At Enrique Tomás, we reveal the secret to doing it right so that you'll be licking your fingers.
So, enjoy eating jamón whenever you fancy it without any fear of putting on weight. Its benefits are numerous and the pleasure it will give you is simply non-negotiable. And what better way to finish the day than with a plate of good jamón and, while you're at it, with a glass of wine!
