Cold cuts are a staple for quick sandwiches, salads, and also snacks. But before you stop at the deli counter or pick up prepackaged deli meats, check out this shopping guide to learn which deli meats are South Beach Diet-friendly and which you should avoid:
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Choose lean meats. When shopping for cold cuts, make sure you buy meats that are low in saturated fat. Your best bets include:
- Boiled ham
- Chicken breast
- Deli-sliced turkey breast
- Lean deli roast beef
- Smoked ham
- Smoked turkey breast
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Avoid processed meats with fillers. Fillers are carbohydrate additives that are used to hold the meat together and reduce production costs. Search out modified food starch, wheat starch, and cornstarch in the ingredient list, and avoid products made with these fillers unless they appear near the end of the ingredient list. If this is the case, the amount of starch is minuscule.
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Steer clear of meats with added sugar. Avoid honey-baked ham or honey-roasted turkey. If you'd like to add more flavor to your deli meat, try spreading a little mustard, mayonnaise, or two tablespoons of your favorite low-sugar salad dressing on your sandwich or salad.
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