Ham and Nitrates

[MRJ]

Hey everyone,
Im just wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to limit the bad impact the nitrates in ham when eating? I haven't eaten ham in awhile and noticed some nice looking ham steaks/slices which were fat free and high in protien which is just what im looking for but of couse it has nitrates and im wondering what can i do to inhibit the nitrates from turning into nitrosamines when i eat them? I have reading eating/taking vitamin C can help but i am wondering if anyone know anything about this.

Thanks!

 

[Selkie]

It's so bad that you just about need to know the hog farmer personally in order to get nitrate-free or nitrite-free ham (pork products). From what I've discovered, every package I've read contains these as a preservative/ingredient. You might have some luck from a meat locker/butcher, if you have one near you, but like you, I'm getting pretty discouraged!

 

[Michael in FtW]

Not all hams are cured and I often see fresh ham steaks in a couple of grocery stores (Albertson's, Kroger, Central Market). They are usually easy to spot - fresh ham (which is not cured) has the pale pink or beige color of a fresh pork roast - the usual color for cured ham is deep rose or pink.

Some cured hams will include ascorbic acid as part of the cure mixture - to offset the potential for nitrites converting to nitrosamines. Read the ingredients label.

 

[Selkie]

Not all hams are cured and I often see fresh ham steaks in a couple of grocery stores (Albertson's, Kroger, Central Market)...

Just for fun, I went in search of those stores using their store locators. The nearest Alberton's is 110 miles, the nearest Krogers is 72 miles, and Central Market is a Texas State chain of supermarkets - I don't live in Texas. Not everyone is as fortunate as others to live in a metropolitan area. I've got the choice of 4 markets within a 35 mile radius.

 

[MRJ]

Thanks for the reply's!

I live in Canada and i checked everywhere for nitrate free hams and couldn't find anything, i couldn't even find nitrate free bacon. So does Vitamin C actually help the nitrates/nitrites from turning to nitrosamines and if so do you think having some orange juice or a vitamin c supplement before and or after having some cured meats would be good?