It’s likely that you haven’t heard of the “dark horse” of breakfast meats unless you live in New Jersey. Part mystery, with a dash of allure, let us introduce you to pork roll. At first glance, it might look like Canadian bacon or even bologna, but it’s actually pork roll. In New Jersey, you’d be hard-pressed to find a bagel shop or diner that doesn’t serve it as a breakfast meat option, along with basic options like bacon and sausage. It would be almost impossible to find the cheap restaurant in Manhattan if you crossed the bridge.
Anyone who was born and raised in New Jersey has eaten this sliced meat since they were babies. It’s so good that it beats other breakfast meats hands down. It’s been there to comfort people after a night of drinking too much, and it even has its own holiday to honor it. Breakfast avocado toast is too expensive for us. Instead, we’d take a pork roll with egg, cheese, salt, pepper, and ketchup on a roll, which is how most people order it. People love this meat so much that there are two food festivals just for it, but people from different states rarely say “pork roll.” Lets solve the mystery and discover the truth about pork roll.
Taylor ham, also known as pork roll, is a processed meat product that originated in New Jersey and has become a staple breakfast food in the state. With its salty, smoky flavor, Taylor ham is a delicious addition to egg sandwiches and breakfast platters. However, given that it is a processed meat, some people wonder – is Taylor ham bad for you? Let’s take an in-depth look at the nutritional content and health effects of this iconic food.
What Exactly is Taylor Ham?
First things first – what exactly is Taylor ham? Taylor ham, which is also commonly referred to as pork roll, is a type of processed pork product made from cured and smoked pork shoulder meat. It was invented in 1856 by John Taylor and originally called “Taylor’s Prepared Ham” However, since it did not technically meet the legal definition of ham, the name pork roll was adopted
Traditionally, Taylor ham is made by mixing ground pork with salt, spices, and preservatives The mixture is packed into casings, smoked, and then sliced. It has a characteristic salty and smoky flavor that has made it a staple in diners and sandwich shops, especially in New Jersey
Nutritional Profile of Taylor Ham – The Good and The Bad
Now that we know what Taylor ham is, let’s break down its nutritional profile and see where it stands health-wise:
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Calories – A typical 2 ounce serving of Taylor ham contains about 160 calories Not too high, but can add up if consumed in large quantities
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Fat – 2 ounces provides 13g of fat, 5g of which are saturated fat. This is considered high, since experts recommend limiting saturated fat intake.
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Sodium – Very high at 600mg per 2 ounce serving, which is one quarter of the daily 2300mg limit. Excess sodium intake is linked with high blood pressure.
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Nitrates – Used as preservatives in processed meats and linked to increased cancer risk. Taylor ham contains sodium nitrite.
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Protein – 9g of protein per serving, so it does provide some nutritional benefit and feelings of fullness.
As we can see, Taylor ham is high in sodium, saturated fat, and contains processed meat preservatives – which are all nutritional negatives. However, it does provide some protein. When consumed in moderation, it can reasonably fit into a balanced diet. But problems arise when it is eaten in excess.
Health Risks of Too Much Taylor Ham
Given the nutritional profile of Taylor ham, you may be wondering – what are the health implications of consuming it regularly or in large amounts? Here are some of the main health risks to be aware of:
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Heart Disease – The high sodium and saturated fat content of Taylor ham can increase risk factors for heart disease like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
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Cancer – Processed meats are classified as carcinogenic by health authorities. Frequent intake of Taylor ham raises cancer risk, especially colorectal.
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Obesity – Taylor ham is high in calories and fat. Eating it often can cause weight gain and obesity over time.
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Diabetes – Some research shows processed meat intake increases diabetes risk. The saturated fat and preservatives appear to be contributory factors.
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Stomach Cancer – Studies link processed meat consumption with increased stomach cancer rates. Nitrates and their byproducts appear to play a role.
It’s clear that regularly consuming large amounts of Taylor ham has been associated with some serious health risks. But what if you only eat it occasionally in moderation?
Is Occasional Taylor Ham OK?
For most people that consume Taylor ham in moderation, the health risks are quite low. The American Cancer Society advises limiting intake of processed meats to no more than 1-2 times per week, with portions around 2-3 ounces.
Here are some tips for safely enjoying Taylor ham in moderation:
- Treat it as an occasional indulgence rather than everyday breakfast meat
- Limit portion sizes to 2-3 ounces
- Have it no more than 1-2 times per week
- Avoid charring or burning when cooking
- Pair it with healthy foods like eggs, vegetables, and whole grains
- Limit other processed meats in your diet
- Stay active and exercise regularly
Following these guidelines allows you to enjoy the nostalgic salty, smoky flavor of Taylor ham while reducing any potential health risks.
Healthier Alternatives to Taylor Ham
If you eat Taylor ham regularly and want to reduce your intake for health reasons, there are many tasty alternatives that can give a similar flavor and texture profile. Here are some ideas:
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Canadian Bacon – Leaner and lower in sodium than Taylor ham. Provides savory flavor.
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Turkey Bacon – Much lower in fat and calories than pork bacon or Taylor ham. Track sodium content.
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Tofu Scramble – Add smoked paprika and liquid smoke for smoky flavor. Provides protein without the nitrates.
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Portobello Mushroom – Grilled portobellos give meaty texture and smoky notes. Far fewer calories than Taylor ham.
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Roasted Sweet Potatoes – Add spices like paprika and garlic. Has a salty, savory quality that can mimic Taylor ham.
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Smoked Salmon – Lower in fat than Taylor ham but retains similar smoky, salty characteristics. Delicious in breakfast dishes.
With a little creativity, you can create tasty breakfast sandwiches and platters that capture the spirit of Taylor ham while boosting nutrition.
The Verdict on Taylor Ham and Health
So what’s the final verdict on Taylor ham in terms of your health? When consumed in moderation, as an occasional treat, Taylor ham poses minimal risk for most people. However, regular and excessive intake does appear to be connected with higher incidence of serious conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
If you are concerned about your Taylor ham consumption for health reasons, limiting intake to no more than 1-2 times weekly and substituting in some healthier alternatives are smart moves. But the occasional Taylor ham, egg, and cheese on a roll is still considered safe for most healthy adults.
At the end of the day, your overall dietary pattern and lifestyle is most important for good health. While processed meats like Taylor ham in large amounts can be detrimental, they can likely be incorporated into an otherwise balanced diet in moderation without significant health consequences. Plus, sometimes you just need that nostalgic taste of home. Moderation and balance is key when it comes to enjoying your favorite local delicacies.
Pork roll is a dominating breakfast item on many New Jersey menus
The great Nick Jonas, a North Jersey native, once declared that the Taylor Ham/pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwich is “the best thing youve ever tasted.” Whether indulged in at home or at any of the states numerous delis, bagel shops, or diners, USA Today stated that theres really no other food that positively screams “New Jersey” like this sandwich. It wont take much searching, or cruising up and down the parkway as one does in the state, to find a solid preparation of Jerseys beloved sandwich.
Not limited to the most important meal of the day, pork roll can also be found in inventive ways across lunch and dinner menus, given its versatile nature. Its usually a safe bet that many menus will carry a pork roll on a bun in the evenings, but some restaurants are resorting to more adventurous ways of shelling out this meaty favorite. Checkers Food and Spirits, located in the meats birthplace of Trenton, sells a pork roll-topped cheeseburger for lunch. Pork roll has even been known to be chopped up and served atop pizza. For the refined palate, The Committed Pig in Morristown serves up pork roll, American cheese (the only suitable cheese for the sandwich), a fried egg, bacon, and avocado on a freshly toasted brioche bun.
Pork roll’s origins may be on the battlefield
Pork roll has been clouded by mystery since its creation long ago. The early history of the salted breakfast staple is tied to George Washington and happens to be highly debated to this day, much like the “pork roll” versus “Taylor Ham” debate (more on that one later). The Battle of Trenton was a small engagement that took place during the American Revolutionary War in 1776. It was December in New Jersey, which meant it was cold, and a solution had to be found for just what would keep Washington and his soldiers from going hungry.
Its long been rumored that pork roll was the answer. Given its heavily processed nature, the packaged rolls of minced meat (plus likely some questionable ingredients) could easily survive those harsh winter conditions. It came with the added bonus of being super portable, as they could carry around the salted pork product in roll form. Whether true or not, well gladly hold on to the mental of a stoic and fearless George Washington bravely crossing the Delaware River with a log of pork roll in tow.
Why Pork Roll (Or Taylor Ham) Rules New Jersey || Food/Groups
FAQ
Is Taylor Ham processed meat?
Which is better for you, bacon or Taylor Ham?
Is a Taylor ham egg and cheese healthy?
What is so special about Taylor Ham?
Is Taylor Ham a pork roll?
When it no longer met the requirements to be labeled ham in 1906, the name changed to pork roll. Taylor Ham goes by John Taylor’s Original Pork Roll in New Jersey. However, many still call it Taylor Ham, especially in the Northern part of New Jersey. Taylor Provisions, Inc. also produces another pork roll that goes by Trenton Pork Roll.
What is Taylor’s prepared ham?
It is a pork roll with spices, salt, and sugar added to the preserved meat. The pork is then smoked and packaged. Taylor Provisions Inc. was the first place to officially produce the pork roll under the name Taylor’s Prepared Ham.
What is a Taylor Ham in New Jersey?
See Courses Pork roll, or Taylor ham as it’s called in most of north Jersey, isn’t quite like any processed meat product in the rest of the United States. It’s a delicious combination of miscellaneous pork product, sugar, spices, and salt. It’s all processed, smoked, packaged, and sold in New Jersey–and almost nowhere else.
What does Taylor ham taste like?
The taste of Taylor ham is exceptionally flavorful. Some describe it as a party for your taste buds. Not just one flavor is present. As a matter of fact, a bite of Taylor ham will present you with sweet, spicey, smokey, and salty simultaneously! Some describe pork rolls as tangy and porky; it is pork, after all.