Processed meats

Processed meats have long been linked to chronic diseases and are widely regarded as unhealthy due to their high preservative content. Meats that have been salted, dried, cured or canned are considered processed meats. Hot dogs, bacon, pepperoni, jerky, and sausage are a few examples.

Processed meats typically contain high levels of salt, primarily to enhance flavor and preserve taste. As a result, if processed meats are a large part of your diet, it may be difficult to limit your daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg. Furthermore, processed meats are high in protein. If you've been told to limit your protein intake, it's also a good idea to limit processed meats.