Experts Say You May Want To Think Twice About Eating Bologna (It Could Lead To Weight Gain!)

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If you’ve decided that one of your New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight, you may be in the midst of making a number of lifestyle changes – and at the top of that list is probably your diet. Figuring out what you should and shouldn’t eat when it comes to your health (and not to mention sticking to those guidelines) can be a difficult process, especially if you’re used to eating the same things on a regular basis that it may not be the best for your body. For example, maybe you often make yourself a deli sandwich for lunch. While a sandwich complete with meat and vegetables may seem like a very good option, health experts warn that too many processed lunch meats can be detrimental to your weight loss goals. In fact, there’s one high-sodium meat that many agree you should leave off your sandwich if you’re trying to stay healthy this year: bologna.

To learn more about why bologna is so unhealthy and how it can contribute to weight gain and other issues, we spoke with nutritionist Lisa Richards, creator of the Candida Diet, and certified weight loss coach Joanna Wen, founder of Spices and Greens. They told us that sodium and saturated fat are red flags you shouldn’t ignore. Read on to learn more!

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Bologna

There’s no denying that a good old-fashioned bologna sandwich is a classic and easy lunch — however, Richards and Wen both warn that eating bologna regularly can lead to weight gain, heart problems and more. “Bologna is a type of processed meat that is made from pork, beef, or a combination of the two,” Richards explains. Unfortunately, she points out, “it’s usually high in fat and sodium, which can contribute to health problems when consumed in excess.”

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Wen second this notion. “Among the deli meats, bologna stands out as particularly harmful to health,” she says. “Made from a combination of proteins from different animals, it’s particularly high in fat and sodium, making it a definite no-no if you’re trying to lose weight.”

Processed meats in general are never a good idea for your health because of the preservatives they usually contain, but Wen says especially high-sodium options like bologna are among the worst culprits. “While all processed meats can lead to weight gain if consumed in large quantities in place of healthier foods, those with particularly high levels of sodium and fat are the biggest culprits,” she says, explaining that many processed meats contain high amounts of sodium such as a preservative, which “can cause bloating and retain water weight when absorbed into the body.” And this is definitely not good for weight loss!

As well as sodium, saturated fat levels are also a major warning sign for anyone trying to shed a few pounds – but the health risks don’t stop at weight gain. “Research has shown that consuming high amounts of processed meats, such as bologna, is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, certain types of cancer and other health problems. Processed meats are also high in saturated fat. saturated fat and sodium, which can contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of high blood pressure and other health issues,” Richards tells us.

Of course, at the end of the day, mostly anything is okay to eat in moderation. However, if you’re looking to make healthier choices and avoid weight gain, it’s best to avoid bologna and choose leaner, raw meats. Wen recommends skinless chicken or turkey breast, or even plant-based options like tofu or tempeh. No matter what you choose, your body will thank you when you make a healthy swap for those processed meats!