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Pepperoni is one of the most popular pizza toppings out there and we also love to snack on them straight from the packet or throw them onto our cheeseboards.
As one of the most loved cured meats in the US, we eat it a lot, so it’s natural to ask – is pepperoni healthy? Read on to learn more.
Is Pepperoni Bad for You?
Although pepperoni provides whole proteins, minerals, and B vitamins, any nutritional advantages must be evaluated against the fat and salt load.
Pepperoni is a type of processed meat. It’s high in salt, sugar, artificial flavors, additives, saturated fat, and calories.
In addition, fermentation or curing needs to take place to cure pepperoni. This makes it safe to eat because pepperoni isn’t cooked, but also, it contributes to the unique taste of pepperoni.
The meat has a tangy flavor and a chewy texture due to this processing, but the product might be unhealthy due to some of the chemicals used.
Pepperoni isn’t a healthy choice if you have high blood pressure or heart disease or if you’re merely managing your weight.
Otherwise, so long as you don’t go over your daily calorie, fat, and salt restrictions, eating pepperoni on occasion won’t harm you in the long run.
Does Pepperoni Have Protein?
Yes, pepperoni is an excellent source of protein. A slice has around 1.1 grams of protein.
However, if we want to look into the amount of protein in one serving, it gets a little bit tricky.
For instance, one serving is 1 ounce, or about 14 slices, according to the USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory. Therefore, pepperoni slices provide 6 grams of protein per ounce.
But because the amount an average person might eat at one time can vary greatly, determining the “serving” depends on the individual.
Is Pepperoni Fattening?
Yes, pepperoni is high in fat and calories. According to the USDA, pepperoni has 141 calories per 1-ounce piece, weighing 28 grams.
The amount of pepperoni in 28 grams is equivalent to the amount of pepperoni found on five thin pizza slices.
Fat accounts for 84 percent of total calories in pepperoni. This is equal to 13 grams, or 20% of the daily value (DV).
One of the few possible pepperoni health advantages is that fat helps with vitamin absorption and provides energy for your body to perform various functions.
On the other hand, Dietary Guidelines propose that total fat consumption be limited to 20% to 35% of daily calories.
Meanwhile, 5 grams of the total fat in an ounce of pepperoni is bad saturated fat, accounting for 25% of your daily value.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada advises that pepperoni includes unhealthy fats, which can raise LDL or bad cholesterol and promote the accumulation of fatty deposits in your vascular system.
According to Dietary Guidelines, you should consume less than 10% saturated fat per day and avoid trans-fat wherever feasible.
Something to keep in mind – if you’re buying pepperoni for pizza and like when it curls up to make crispy edges, then you’ll want to make the less healthy choice and pick a fattier pepperoni.
Is Pepperoni Good for a Keto Diet?
Keto is a diet and lifestyle that entails eating a lot of healthy fats and relatively few carbohydrates. This means you can consume pepperoni sticks on a keto diet.
But there’s a catch: while cured meats like pepperoni and other sausage, hot dogs, and bacon are typically allowed on keto diets, you must be selective.
For example, there are a lot of additives in low-quality pepperoni. This can lead you to take in high amounts of sodium, sugar, saturated fat, calories, chemical preservatives, and hidden carbohydrates from flavorings.
It would be best to look for pepperoni sticks created with high-quality protein without added MSG, nitrates, or nitrites.
Source: homekitchentalk.com
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