Deli meat / USDA comparison
Low sodium lunch meat: compare the numbers
The selected USDA cold-cut records contain 456–1266 mg sodium per 2 oz (56 g). The lowest recorded types here are regular sliced ham (456 mg), deli roast beef (478 mg) and prepackaged turkey breast (503 mg). These are specific USDA recipes, not a guarantee for every product.
By the KaloCam team · Updated
Compare lunch meat types per 2 oz
Rows use ready-to-eat deli or cold-cut records, including the preparations named. They are sorted by unrounded sodium, lowest first. This is an objective comparison of selected records, not a “best” list. Even a USDA description saying “low salt” or “low sodium” is not proof that a current product meets a label-claim rule.
| Type and source record | Sodium | Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ham — regular slicedUSDA SR Legacy · FDC ID 173864 | Sodium456 mg | Calories92 kcal | Protein9.3 g |
| Roast beef — deli styleUSDA SR Legacy · FDC ID 174570 | Sodium478 mg | Calories64 kcal | Protein10.4 g |
| Turkey breast — prepackagedUSDA SR Legacy · FDC ID 172941 | Sodium503 mg | Calories59 kcal | Protein8.3 g |
| Bologna — beef and porkUSDA SR Legacy · FDC ID 172013 | Sodium538 mg | Calories172 kcal | Protein8.5 g |
| Chicken breast — rotisserie deliUSDA SR Legacy · FDC ID 173874 | Sodium577 mg | Calories55 kcal | Protein9.7 g |
| Pastrami — cured beefUSDA SR Legacy · FDC ID 170204 | Sodium605 mg | Calories82 kcal | Protein12.2 g |
| Salami — dry or hard porkUSDA SR Legacy · FDC ID 172938 | Sodium1266 mg | Calories228 kcal | Protein12.7 g |
Low, lower and reduced sodium brand records
Each product below has lower or reduced sodium wording in its USDA description. Values use the record’s labelNutrients and are scaled to 56 g when its recorded serving differs. This is a sodium sort, not a brand ranking or a complete market survey.
| Product and dated record | Sodium | Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hy-Vee Reduced Sodium Turkey Breast with BrothUSDA branded record · FDC ID 2145432Published · Recorded serving: 56 gPackaging may have changed; use the current package label. | Sodium260 mg | Calories50 kcal | Protein11 g |
| Archer Farms Oven-Roasted Reduced Sodium Turkey BreastUSDA branded record · FDC ID 2660912Published · Recorded serving: 56 gPackaging may have changed; use the current package label. | Sodium340 mg | Calories60 kcal | Protein13 g |
| Hillshire Farm Honey Lower Sodium HamUSDA branded record · FDC ID 2622080Published · Recorded serving: 56 gPackaging may have changed; use the current package label. | Sodium360 mg | Calories70 kcal | Protein9 g |
| Boar’s Head 46% Lower Sodium Turkey BreastUSDA branded record · FDC ID 2641730Published · Recorded serving: 56 gPackaging may have changed; use the current package label. | Sodium360 mg | Calories60 kcal | Protein12 g |
| Eckrich Reduced Sodium HamUSDA branded record · FDC ID 2123508Published · Recorded serving: 56 gPackaging may have changed; use the current package label. | Sodium390 mg | Calories50 kcal | Protein10 g |
| Kroger Lower Sodium Turkey BreastUSDA branded record · FDC ID 2058616Published · Recorded serving: 28 gPackaging may have changed; use the current package label. | Sodium420 mg | Calories60 kcal | Protein10 g |
| Boar’s Head 42% Lower Sodium Deluxe HamUSDA branded record · FDC ID 2641762Published · Recorded serving: 56 gPackaging may have changed; use the current package label. | Sodium480 mg | Calories60 kcal | Protein10 g |
Read low sodium lunch meat labels carefully
The official definition text was unavailable in this research archive, so this guide does not apply a numeric “low sodium” label-claim cutoff.
“Lower” and “reduced” describe a comparison; they do not by themselves establish an absolute “low sodium” amount. Product descriptions in these tables are USDA record names. Match the current package’s serving size before comparing its sodium with this page.
Questions about turkey and deli meat
How do I compare low sodium turkey lunch meat?
For turkey lunch meat, low sodium wording and a lower sodium comparison are different claims. Compare sodium at the same weight, then check the current package. The USDA turkey records below show how much the recorded recipes vary.
Where is Boar's Head low sodium lunch meat in this table?
The table includes Boar’s Head records whose descriptions say 46% lower sodium turkey breast and 42% lower sodium ham. These are USDA branded records with publication dates, and their comparative wording does not establish an absolute low sodium claim.
How should I compare low sodium deli meat?
Match serving weights first. Our tables use 56 g throughout, so the sodium order compares the same amount of meat. Product names preserve the USDA record wording; check the package for the product you buy.
What counts as healthy sandwich meat or healthy deli meat?
A sodium table cannot determine whether a food is healthy for you. It compares recorded sodium, calories and protein. Use the current package to confirm the portion and ingredients. This is general information; consult your doctor for guidance about your individual needs.
Keep track of your whole sandwich
Bread, meat, cheese and toppings all change the meal you record. Compare sandwich calories and portions, or browse chicken breast nutrition and turkey bacon nutrition.
Sources and calculation method
Generic rows use USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy records. Per 56 g = nutrient per 100 g × 56 ÷ 100. Branded rows use labelNutrients × 56 ÷ recorded serving grams; no missing label value is replaced with a per-100-g field. Every row’s FDC link identifies the source for all three nutrient cells.
Calories round to whole kcal and sodium to whole mg. Protein grams display at most one decimal, without trailing zeros. Sorting uses unrounded sodium; ties use FDC ID. The displayed 2 oz is the conventional 56 g label portion used here, not an exact ounce conversion.
USDA branded records are historical label data, not independently verified current packaging. Publication dates are USDA record dates, not package inspection dates. Packaging may have changed; use the current package label.
All brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement of or affiliation with KaloCam.