Does Deli Sliced Cooked Ham And Water Product contain dairy or gluten?

Yes, it contains dairy in the form of potassium lactate. It does not contain gluten ingredients.

Is Deli Sliced Cooked Ham And Water Product good for weight loss?

It is relatively low in calories but high in sodium and contains added sugars, so it should be consumed in moderation.

Where can I buy Deli Sliced Cooked Ham And Water Product?

This type of generic processed ham is available at major retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Amazon.

Is Deli Sliced Cooked Ham And Water Product safe for kids?

Yes, it is safe for kids, but due to the high sodium content and presence of nitrites, it should be an occasional treat rather than a daily staple.

Is Deli Sliced Cooked Ham And Water Product Vegan?

No, Deli Sliced Cooked Ham And Water Product is not vegan. While the ingredient list may look surprisingly simple, the core component is pork, and the processing aids used to preserve and flavor the meat are derived from animal or dairy sources. This product is strictly an animal-based food item.

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, the first thing I look for in a product like Deli Sliced Cooked Ham And Water Product is the primary ingredient. In this case, the name itself gives it away: it is ham, which is pork. However, the specific additives used in the curing and flavoring process are equally important for determining if a product fits a strict vegan lifestyle.

The product is CURED WITH: WATER, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF THE FOLLOWING: SALT, DEXTROSE, POTASSIUM LACTATE, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, CORN SYRUP, SODIUM DIACETATE, SODIUM ERYTHORBATE, MALTODEXTRIN, SODIUM NITRITE, FLAVOR. The most significant non-vegan flag here is Potassium Lactate. While it sounds like a generic chemical salt, commercial potassium lactate is almost exclusively derived from the fermentation of lactose found in dairy whey. Therefore, it renders the product non-vegan.

Additionally, the term FLAVOR is vague. In processed meats, natural flavors are often derived from animal sources to enhance the meaty profile. Furthermore, SODIUM NITRITE is a curing agent that prevents bacterial growth and gives the ham its pink color; while it is a chemical additive, it is used to process animal flesh, making the final product inherently non-vegan.

Nutritional Value

When analyzing the nutritional profile of this ham product, the high sodium content stands out immediately. With ingredients like SALT, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, and SODIUM NITRITE, this product is likely very high in sodium, which can be a concern for those monitoring blood pressure or heart health.

The inclusion of CORN SYRUP and DEXTROSE adds simple sugars to the mix, which increases the calorie count without providing significant nutritional value. While it provides protein from the pork, the presence of MODIFIED FOOD STARCH and MALTODEXTRIN suggests that the product has been padded with fillers and carbohydrates to improve texture and yield. It fits into a diet as a processed meat option, but it is not a 'clean' whole food.