Deli meats for kids?

dpdw

Do you give your DC deli meats?  At what age did you start?  Are there some deli meats that are (relatively) healthier than another?

DS is 3.5 & up until now I've avoided them because of the preservatives, nitrates & sodium, but starting in September I have to send him to preschool with a packed lunch.  So, I'm considering anything!

michaeltrish

DS loves deli ham but I only give it to him once a week.  I've run out of lunch ideas these days.

Sulla

If you want to avoid all that, turkey breast is your best bet. Probably followed by low sodium ham.

hmckeown

One of my kids favorite things to eat is deli ham rolled up. I get imported ham and have them slice it thin.

My son has a ton of food alleriges and this is one thing he can eat so we get it alot

Good Luck!

CleoKitty

I try to buy Boar's Head or Applegate Farms. The Applegate Farms stuff is nitrate free and so are *some* of the Boar's Head products.

To be honest, I've been giving it to both kids since they first started eating any meat. I'm really not too concerned about the sodium at all- it's not like they eat mass quantities of it for every meal. 

kevschickee2

My girls love lunch meat.  They get it a couple of times a week.  Boarshead brand and Dietz and Watzon are very good brands

juniper19

CleoKitty:

I try to buy Boar's Head or Applegate Farms. The Applegate Farms stuff is nitrate free and so are *some* of the Boar's Head products.

To be honest, I've been giving it to both kids since they first started eating any meat. I'm really not too concerned about the sodium at all- it's not like they eat mass quantities of it for every meal. 

ditto all this

DandelionMom

If you shop at Whole Foods it is easy to find the healthier brands.  It is a little pricey but since my girls don't eat much, the cost isn't bad.

Brideofranken

no.never.ever.