is honey baked ham turkey processed

Digging Into the Processing Behind HoneyBaked’s Famous Holiday Turkey

When it comes to delicious holiday centerpieces, HoneyBaked’s legendary Oven Roasted Turkey often shares top billing with their famed spiral cut hams But with terms like “processed meat” making headlines, you may wonder – is enjoying HoneyBaked’s signature turkey still a smart choice?

Whether you’re new to HoneyBaked or a longtime fan, let’s unravel whether their famous turkey is processed, what that entails, and how to enjoy it as part of a balanced diet.

What Makes Meat “Processed”?

In general, processed meats are those that have been altered to enhance flavor, texture, or shelf life. This includes techniques like curing, smoking, fermenting, and adding preservatives or other ingredients.

Some common examples of processed meats are hot dogs, bacon, sausage, beef jerky, canned meat, salami, and deli or pre-packaged sandwich meats.

Meat processing allows for interesting flavors and convenient products, but health authorities suggest limiting intake due to potential increased health risks associated with overconsumption.

How is HoneyBaked Turkey Processed?

HoneyBaked turkey undergoes the following processing steps:

• Brined or marinated in a salt and herb solution
• Rubbed with proprietary blend of spices and seasonings
• Slow roasted on a rotating rotisserie
• Glazed by hand in a mixture of corn syrup, honey, and spices
• Sliced and packaged for retail sale

The main processing factors are the salt brine or marinade before cooking, followed by the sweet honey glaze before serving. This helps make the turkey flavorful, moist, and tender.

While not as heavily processed as something like bologna or bacon, HoneyBaked’s turkey does undergo some processing for taste, preservation, and presentation.

Health Impact of Processed Turkey

In moderation, processed turkey like HoneyBaked’s is perfectly fine to enjoy. But there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Processed meats are high in sodium due to the salt, brines, and flavorings. This can increase health risks for some.
• Nitrates and nitrites used in some cured meats may be linked to cancer. HoneyBaked turkey does not contain these.
• Preservatives like sulfites, phosphates, and nitrates help processed meats last longer but are controversial. HoneyBaked turkey does not contain these common additives.
• Overcooking processed meats may produce harmful compounds. HoneyBaked roasts their turkey carefully to remain moist.

So while not completely risk-free, HoneyBaked turkey avoids some of the most harmful effects associated with heavy processing due to their more natural ingredients and gentler cooking style.

Enjoying HoneyBaked Turkey in Moderation

Current dietary recommendations agree that minimal intake of processed meats as part of an overall healthy diet is unlikely to pose major health risks. Here are some tips for enjoying HoneyBaked turkey in moderation:

• Treat as an occasional seasonal treat rather than regular meal item.
• Stick to reasonable portion sizes, around 3-4 oz per serving.
• Balance with lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and plant proteins.
• When reheating, use lower heat settings to avoid overcooking.
• Rinse off excess surface salt or glaze for some dishes.
• Choose lower-sodium alternatives for side dishes and gravies.
• Limit high-fat, high-calorie sauces and dressings.

With small servings and thoughtful sides, you can certainly continue to enjoy this holiday favorite as part of a varied, well-rounded diet.

Healthier Ways to Eat HoneyBaked Turkey

If you want to take advantage of HoneyBaked turkey’s convenience while limiting salt and processed factors, try these serving suggestions:

• Build a salad on a bed of spinach with turkey, berries, nuts, onion, and balsamic vinaigrette.
• Stuff the turkey in a whole grain pita with hummus, cucumber, sprouts, and avocado.
• Transform leftovers into soup by adding turkey to vegetable broth with onions, carrots, beans or lentils, and pasta or rice.
• Fold diced turkey into a wrap or flatbread with pesto, roasted red peppers, and part-skim mozzarella.
• Make a grain bowl with turkey slices on quinoa or brown rice with roasted vegetables and herbs.
• Pile turkey onto a baked sweet potato and top with your favorite salsa and sliced scallions.

Alternatives to Processed Deli Turkey

If avoiding even moderate processed meat intake is your priority, opt for these lower-processed poultry options instead:

• A plain roasted whole turkey or just breast, seasoned yourself
• Smoked turkey legs, wings, or drumsticks with no added brines or glazes
• Roasted chicken or other poultry like duck, goose, squab, quail, etc.
• Grilled, baked, or sautéed chicken breasts, tenders, or thighs
• Other lean proteins like seafood, eggs, beans, tofu, etc.

While it does require a little more hands-on prep, starting with an unbrined turkey or chicken and seasoning it yourself lets you control ingredients. But for many, the convenience and reliably delicious flavor of HoneyBaked’s turkey is worth the modest processed tradeoffs.

The Verdict on HoneyBaked Turkey

Overall, HoneyBaked Oven Roasted Turkey is a mildly processed product, not extremely highly processed but not an unadulterated fresh meat. As an occasional holiday treat enjoyed in sensible portions, it can be part of an overall healthy diet for most people. But those strictly limiting sodium or processed foods may want to explore fresher poultry alternatives.