Is Spam Healthy?

Is SPAM Healthy? Secrets Revealed!

Consuming nutritional and protein-filled foods are integral for our survival. Take meat, for example.

It packs many proteins and other health-benefiting nutrients.

They are as follows

• Zinc
• Iron
• Iodine
• Vitamin B12

Furthermore, it also comprises necessary fatty acids.

Henceforth, it is no surprise why nutritionists recommend eating meat weekly to maintain a balanced diet.

Since meat has many benefits, proteins, and nutrients, many assume processed meats (like SPAM) will yield the same benefits. 

But do they? Is eating processed meat like SPAM (actually) Healthy?

The majority of the verdict says NO – Spam is not healthy!

Today, we will dig deeper into finding out how healthy Spam is for regular food consumption.

So, keep reading the post to learn all about it. View Examples

SPAM - A Staple in US Households for Decades!

Spam is processed meat prepared from ham and pork. Throughout the USA, it is sold as canned meat. Hormel Foods first launched canned or processed meat (Spam) in 1937. It was primarily marketed as a protein-packing food source for US soldiers during the 2nd World War. 

In the later years, it became a prevalently consumed food option for many households in the USA. Their main buyers were Japanese Americans and Hawaii inhabitants (who labeled it Hawaiian bread).

While Spam was rich in taste and could be consumed in many ways (much like real meat), it didn’t pack as many nutrients, proteins, and vitamins as presumed.

Spam was rich in fat, cholesterol, and sodium. Plus, there is saturated fat of 7 grams and 65mg of cholesterol. Both are known to cause health issues if consumed in excess. 

And although most food sources comprise the same nutrients, health experts determined it isn’t a healthy and good source for regular consumption. 

Trivia Facts about Spam

• Spam is accessible across 44 vivid continents, thus proving how many people fancy processed meat due to its rich flavors.
• Approximately, people worldwide consume 12.8 spam cans each minute.
• And over 9 billion cans of Spam have been sold since it first came into the market. 

Spam Ingredients – What’s Included?

Spam comprises 6 chief components. 

They are stated below –

• Ham mixed with pork
• Water 
• Sugar 
• Salt 
• Sodium nitrate 
• Potato starch 

Moreover, Spam contains 89% pork and ham and 11% other ingredients. 

A Look into Spam’s Nutritional Values

Spam comprises the following nutritional values. 

• 315 kcal (calories)
• 6 g of fat
• 99 g of saturated fat
• 5 g of monosaturated fat
• 02 g of polyunsaturated fat
• 08 g of omega 3
• 89 g of omega 6
• 71 mg of cholesterol
• 1410 mg of sodium
• 6 g of carbohydrate 
• 0g fiber 
• 0g sugars 
• 4 g of protein

Furthermore, Spam also comprises the following –

• 7% of Thiamin
• 1% of Niacin (B3)
• 8% of Vitamin (B12)
• 8% of Riboflavin (B2)
• 9% of Vitamin (B6)
• 3% of Chlorine 
• 8% of Vitamin E
• 8% of Folate 
• 3% of Sodium
• 6% of Selenium
• 5% of Zinc
• 12% of Phosphorus 
• 7% of Potassium
• 8% of Iron
• 3% of Magnesium 
• 6% of Copper 

Here’s Why Health Experts Consider Spam Unhealthy!

Spam has fewer vitamins and minerals that are present in other food sources. It comprises no Vitamin C or A. It has less calcium than real meat (like chicken breasts or turkey breasts that possess almost double of it).

• Spam is high in sodium and can potentially cause heart issues and elevated blood pressure. Sodium is essential for us, but too much of it can pose health issues like cardiovascular diseases and elevated blood pressure. Thus, it is another reason why Spam is unhealthy.
• Besides these, Spam is marketed and sold in metal cans or tins. Furthermore, to preserve them long, they undergo heat treatment. Often, this can cause the growth of bacteria such as Clostridium Botulinum, Staphylococcus Aureus, Listeria Monocytogene, Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium, And Even Escherichia Coli 0157:H7.
• Spam also comprises sodium nitrate, a prevalent food additive to prevent bacteria and enhance appearance and taste. That said, when Spam is exposed to heat treatment, especially in the amino acids’ presence, those nitrates convert into Nitrosamine. Experts consider Nitrosamine as carcinogenic and a cause of several health diseases. 

Like for instance, excessive consumption of Spam (with sodium nitrate and Nitrosamine can cause Stomach Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, and Even Brain tumors).

Moreover, studies have shown that food additives like sodium nitrate can also potentially lead to type 1 diabetes and other types of cancer.

Other Downsides of Eating Spam

The above explanations hint that Spam contains unhealthy components that are bad for you upon repeated or sustained consumption.

For further clarity, here are more reasons why Spam is unhealthy for consumption.

• Eating Spam (or other forms of processed meat) is known to cause weight gain. 
• It leads to increased BMI and increased risks of cancerous/tumorous diseases.
• It is also known to cause stroke, kidney failure. 
• Studies have also shown that consuming Spam can lead to colon failure, headaches, and even allergic reactions in some individuals.

The Various Types of Spam Meat

• Classic Spam
• Lite Spam (with half fat)
• Bacon and Spam
• Roasted turkey spam
• Smoked Spam
• Hot n spicy Spam
• Tocino seasoned spam
• Portuguese seasoned sausage spam
• Teriyaki spam
• Jalapeno spam

The Verdict – Spam is Unhealthy!

Despite being a versatile and flavorsome food source, Spam poses several health complications. It comprises little amounts of proteins, iron, and nutrients to keep you healthy. 

Ideally, you can switch to consuming real meat and fish to provide your body with the necessary vitamins, proteins, and nutrients to function optimally.

Other healthier food options include –

• Skinless chicken  
• Turkey breasts
• Pork loins
• Legumes 
• Tofu
• Seafood
• Beef 
• Bison
• Eggs 
• Green vegetables
• Fresh fruits 

All these food sources are packing with health benefitting components. To name a few –

• Proteins
• Vitamin B
• Zinc
• Iron

And many other health benefits components.

Also, consume plenty of water. Ideally, drink 3-4 liters of water each day. Avoid cold drinks, excessive coffee, or artificial beverages. You can also include other food options like curd, honey, garlic, ginger, and other healthy spices to add that oomph to your overall health.