Have some sodium with that turkey alternative

Just in time for the pre-Thanksgiving shopping run comes a nutritional comparison of various meatless "turkeys." Fascinating stuff...

Take a look at this chart offered up by the American Dietetic Assn. The first thing that pops out is the sodium content. The word "wow" comes to mind. Field Roast Celebration? 710 milligrams per serving. The always adorable Tofurky? (It's a fun word, admit it.) 510 milligrams.

There's also a comparison to the more traditional turkey -- you know, the kind made from a turkey -- but that's more for idle curiosity. Nutrition info in such decisions tends to be beside the point.

Here's the news release if you want the chart summarized for you. And more on sodium from the American Heart Assn.

One more fact: A serving of turkey breast without skin has only 52 milligrams of sodium.

-- Tami Dennis

Photo: I dunno... Maybe sodium isn't so bad...

Credit: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Duke]

The faux meat products are highly processed and have a long shelf life. It's not surprising the sodium is so high. They have more in common with turkey luncheon meats than actual birds.

[erin]

why not also mention that the meatless versions have no cholesterol, more fiber, and equivalent calories and fat? And that people aren't going to be eating plain turkey, but rather turkey with gravy, or turkey seasoned with added salt?

[Joshua T]

The chart you link to (http://www.eatright.org/ada/files/Thanksgiving2009_MeatlessChart.jpg) is a bit deceptive--note that the serving sizes vary widely.

For example, the "Tofurkey Roast" looks like it has more sodium than the "Vegetarian Plus Vegan Whole Turkey"--but the former's serving size is more than TWICE that of the latter's!

How hard would it have been for the chart-makers to normalize the statistics for a standard 100g serving size?

Any way you slice it, the turkey alternatives have significantly more sodium than real turkey, but vegetarians/vegans looking to compare those alternatives deserve a better chart!

[Lori]

But one has to remember that most people add a lot of salt onto their turkey.

[Shawn]

Is this an advertisement or a news article? There are a lot more things to consider than sodium. Such as the cholestral in a turkey, the amount of chemicals pumped into its veins?

[Jackie]

Duh! It's not about the salt. It's about the life taken to satisfy everyone's need to gain 20 pounds. Yuk!

[Jess]

I DON'T WANNA LIVE IN A WORLD THAT EATS TOFU TURKEYS!!

[once a year]

Can't believe I read these things and then comment on them...but here I go. This is a time to be thankful for the bounty that is provided to us day in and day out in our great country. To nitpick about the sodium is a pointless waste of time and lends negativity to what should be a festive time. Enjoy your dinner and the company you keep on this day of American celebration and thanks. Worry about the sodium one eats the other 364 days a year. Any nutritionist or healthcare professional worth their 'salt' will tell you what matters most in your diet is what you do most days, not once a year.

[Lisa]

When I ate meat, I salted the heck out of my turkey at Thanksgiving, and I'm sure I'm not the only one! :) And what about the gravy, how's that looking as far as sodium?

How about homemade "turkey alternatives"? You have total control over the sodium, flavors, and textures, with a result that's wholesome, delicious, and something to truly be thankful for. Plus, I'm sure I'm not the only one who actually enjoys spending a lot of time preparing a special Thanksgiving meal. Putting something from a box into the oven doesn't really do it for me.

If anyone's looking for healthful, compassionate entrees for Thanksgiving, check out http://www.vegweb.com for an extensive, user-reviewed collection of recipes (Thanksgiving and otherwise, but there's a whole holiday section and forum) or check out a feast by chef Robin Robertson at http://www.vegan.com/recipes/vegan-thanksgiving-recipes-2009-a-feast-by-robin-robertson/

I'm making Seitan Bourguignonne from Myra Kornfeld's Voluptuous Vegan cookbook as my entree. Can't wait! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

[Robert NO longer in LA]

When you READ the labels on MOST of our foods, you can see how paying Congress BIG $$$$$$$, has brought us all, the secret ingredient for Egyptian EMBALMING - sodium, in MASSIVE, and UNHEALTHY amounts. Don't forget to 'THANK' your Congresswoman and Senator....they WOULDN'T DO THIS without your, s-i-l-e-n-c-e.

[Christine Waterman]

I am vegetarian and I have never had tofurky and I never will. There are many wonderful recipes that one can prepare without fake meat. That stuff is garbage and I am no more inclined to eat it than eating a real turkey.
BTW, vegetarianism is not about sodium content, it is about compassion.

[h]

Real vegans don't eat fake turkey. Real veggies and whole grains, cooked from scratch, are far more delicious than a synthetic over-salted conglomeration of genetically modified soy.