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Even worse, it contains 500% more sodium than is naturally present in untreated chicken. However, these injected birds’ labels may use the word “natural” Despite being injected with ingredients in concentrations that do not naturally occur in a chicken, poultry companies are permitted by USDA labeling policies to call their enhanced products “100% natural” or “all natural.” (Chicken, like many foods, contains minute quantities of sodium and other minerals. ).
A 7-pound enhanced chicken might only yield 6 pounds of meat if injections account for 15% or more of the meat’s weight. Do the math: At $2. You paid a premium of up to $0 for a pound at $0.99. 45 per pound for added salt and water. According to the Truthful Labeling Coalition, a trade organization founded by poultry producers who want to stop misleading labels on enhanced products, this costs Americans about $2 billion annually.
Here is an example of salt being added to fresh, whole foods unnecessarily at a time when sodium consumption has become one of the most pressing public health concerns, and when, at the time of publication, we anticipated hearing soon about a government move to lower sodium recommendations.
Although processors must disclose the injections, the packaging’s lettering may be small and unnoticeable. Look closely at the fine print, which will say something like, “contains up to 15% chicken broth,” to determine if you are purchasing an enhanced product. You should also look at the ingredient list and, of course, the Nutrition Facts label to determine how much sodium is present. If the chicken is truly natural, the serving size’s sodium content won’t go beyond 70mg.
Once you get your chicken or turkey home, what you do with it is a different matter. However, you can choose to add sodium at that point and have control over how much you use. If a chicken breast doesn’t already contain 440mg of sodium, adding 250mg of sodium by seasoning it with 1/8 teaspoon of salt is a healthier choice that you’ll be much happier making.
This creamy treat can be quite sugary, but it also contains a good amount of sodium. Each serving of 1/4 cup contains 140 milligrams, which is a significant amount for dessert.
Many people choose veggie burgers over red meat because they are healthier. However, given that each patty contains about 540 milligrams of sodium, along with the bun, pickles, and condiments, they might not be the healthiest choice. Of course, each brand of veggie burger is unique, so before purchasing, review the nutrition information label.
Deli meats, French fries, and canned soups are common sources of sodium that you should avoid, but occasionally food producers add sodium to a variety of restaurant dishes and other foods to enhance their flavor. To make sure you aren’t sneaking salt into your diet when you don’t need it, it is especially important to read the nutrition facts and ingredients labels of every food you buy (remember to stick to no more than 2,300 milligrams of salt per day). These foods contain higher levels of sodium than you might expect.
The sodium content of canned vegetables is typically high in order to preserve their flavor. Additionally, even though canned vegetables still largely have the same nutritional value as fresh vegetables, it is preferable to look for low-sodium varieties. Fresh corn only contains about 13 milligrams of sodium per four-ounce serving compared to 540 milligrams in a can of corn.
Avoid thinking that your pasta sauce needs more salt because the majority of store-bought jars contain a lot of sodium (about 480 milligrams per 1/2-cup serving). Instead of adding salt to your noodle dish to flavor it, use herbs or spices.
Of course, poultry farmers on both sides of the debate likely compete for a competitive advantage in the market. But aside from the marketing battles, the practice of saltwater bloating has also angered many nutritionists. According to Liz Trondsen, a registered dietitian at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles and a spokesperson for the American Heart Association, “people believe that when they buy chicken, they’re getting a low-sodium food.” “They need to be aware of this. ”Advertisement.
Processors use vacuum tumblers or multiple-needle injectors to push the sodium solution into the muscle. According to Kenneth McMillin, a professor of meat science at the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center in Baton Rouge, the solution’s binding agents stop the added salt and water from leaching out of the meat during transportation, storage, and cooking.
However, plumped chicken has significant sodium levels, with more than 400 milligrams per serving. Marion Nestle, professor of nutrition, food studies, and public health at New York University and author of the 2006 book “What to Eat,” says: “Pity the poor person trying to cut back on salt.” “It is integrated into everything, and you have no control over it. ”.
Per 4-ounce serving, raw chicken breast can have as little as 50 to 75 milligrams of sodium. However, a large portion of the chicken sold in the U S. is processed with a salt solution or broth to make it “enhanced.” For people at risk of high blood pressure, including African Americans and older adults, sodium levels frequently exceed 400 milligrams per serving, or nearly one-third of the maximum daily intake of 1500 milligrams. High blood pressure can be brought on or made worse by high sodium levels, which raises the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The Truthful Labeling Coalition, a Washington, D. C. -based coalition of poultry producers is urging the USDA to alter that policy in order to improve their products. The coalition’s executive director, Charles Hansen, claims that the labels on raw poultry are seriously deceptive. We don’t mind if saltwater is added to chicken, but why not make that clear on the label?
FAQ
How much sodium is in a skinless chicken breast?
Serving sizes are 4 ounces (112 grams) of raw food or 3 ounces (84 grams) of cooked food. The amount of saturated fat in each serving is 0 grams.
Does chicken breast have a lot of sodium?
Natural chicken has only minimal amounts of sodium. The sodium content of a simple 3-ounce serving of roasted chicken breast is only 65 milligrams, or less than 3% of the daily sodium limit. Darker meat is slightly higher in sodium.
Why is chicken so high in sodium?
Unexpectedly, a slice of raw chicken breast contains a lot of sodium. Some brands’ six-ounce servings of sodium can contain more than 800 milligrams. This is due to some manufacturers injecting saline into their chicken breast to keep it juicy.
How much sodium is in a medium chicken breast?
One medium Chicken Breast (Skin Not Eaten) is the most popular option when referring to “Chicken Breast,” and it contains about 700 mg of sodium.