Healthy cured meats and sausages in order from more to less healthy
Would you like to enjoy a completely guilt-free diet? At Enrique Tomás we will explain which sausages and cured meats are better choices for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, which contain fewer calories and which are higher in protein.
Sausage or cured meat?
There is a tendency to confuse sausage with cured meat, but they are not the same either in form or in the production process.
Sausage
A preparation consisting of a natural or synthetic casing stuffed with minced pork, bacon, cooked blood or other ingredients and seasonings that is usually elongated and rounded in shape and presented raw, cooked, cured or smoked. Examples: chorizo, >salchichón, longaniza.
Cured meat
A whole piece of the animal that is cured as it is, using salt and time, without additives. For this reason, Jamón Ibérico and Serrano ham are totally discarded as sausages, and lomo (loin) should also be considered a cured meat.
The healthiest options, ranked from most to least
Cured meats
Cured meat
This is a very tasty and high-quality product, obtained thanks to the ability of Iberian pigs to infiltrate fat into their muscles and their diet based on acorns, bushes and natural grass. Its meat contains 50% more protein than fresh meat, as well as being rich in vitamin B, zinc, calcium, magnesium, iron, selenium, copper and phosphorus.
Ah! And in case you didn't know, Iberian ham is not fattening when consumed in moderation, as the fat it contains is rich in healthy unsaturated fatty acids. Its high content of oleic acid helps reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol and may benefit the immune system.
Cured meat
Serrano ham is another healthy cured meat you can eat. This food is also obtained from the hind legs of the pig, but not from the Iberian breed, rather from white pig breeds, which implies an important difference in taste, texture, colour, appearance and aroma. It is a low-fat meat product rich in nutrients: calcium, vitamins B and D, iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium and phosphorus, and its consumption is recommended to help maintain healthy bones.
At Enrique Tomás we have a team of highly skilled professionals who take care of even the smallest detail so that the end customer can buy our Gran Reserva in the best possible condition.
Lentil salad with Serrano ham
Aubergine roll with Serrano ham
Sausages
Sausage
Lomo
The cured loin is made with the leanest meat of the pig, so its fat content is low. During its preparation, it is not mixed with meat from other parts of the animal and is a whole piece that, once salted, is seasoned with garlic, oregano, paprika and then stuffed into natural pork intestines.
It should be noted that it is a food rich in protein, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, zinc, calcium and vitamins K, E, B1, B12 and B3. Note: it is not recommended for people suffering from high blood pressure because it is rich in sodium.
Sausage
Cooked ham (York ham)
This sausage is popularly known as York ham and is a meat product derived from pork rich in protein, iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamins K, B3, B4 and B1. Cooked ham has a high sodium content, so its consumption is not recommended for people suffering from hypertension. Similarly, it is not suitable for diabetics, as it usually contains sugars.
Sausage
Turkey breast
When it comes to sausages, turkey breast is a common choice among people who wish to lose weight. This sausage is low in fat, high in protein, contains 75% water and is rich in B vitamins. It is ideal for sandwiches, preparing salads or even eating on its own.
Attention: not all turkey meat is suitable for slimming diets or gluten-free diets, as its composition usually contains salt, milk, flour and starches of vegetable origin. Always read the label.
Sausage
Chicken breast
Another healthy sausage that can be part of your daily diet is chicken breast. Its nutritional value is very similar to that of turkey breast and is also low in fat. When buying packaged cold cuts, it is very important that you read the labels carefully and buy products that have a higher meat content.
Avoid all those that contain sugar, flour or starch, and always keep in mind that the cheapest cold cured meats are not always the healthiest.
Are there any less recommended sausages?
Although sausages generally provide us with a large amount of nutrients, there are some that are more recommendable than others because of their high content of saturated fats, cholesterol and salt. Sausages such as chorizo, mortadella, salami, bacon and even salchichón have a bad reputation. However, if it is a question of Iberian sausages, they will generally be considered a healthier option.
Like all cured meats, they should be enjoyed as part of a balanced and varied diet. Finally, remember that you should consume them without overdoing it and pay close attention to the origin of the products. At Enrique Tomás you will not only find the healthiest sausages, but also the best quality. So make sure you prepare a good cured meat platter.
Buy now an Iberian ham or Serrano ham in any of our shops or on our online platform and enjoy its many benefits. You will love it!
