The Paleo List Answers:IS SPAM PALEO?

Here in the U.S., SPAM is more often a culinary joke than a culinary prize, but that’s not true in many parts of the world. During World War II, soldiers in Hawaii were served SPAM since it doesn’t need refrigeration, can be eaten cold, and when prepared properly, has quite a lot of flavor. It quickly spread throughout the Pacific, and often shows up in seemingly refined cultures’ cuisine.

In South Korea, SPAM is often rolled into kimbap, and is often given as a gift. In Hong Kong it is eaten with noodles (and in ramen), and even in the U.K. it is battered, deep-fried, and served up as SPAM fritters. So, is SPAM Paleo?

What is SPAM?

As the website clearly states, SPAM is not a hodgepodge of leftover meat scraps, but a mixture of pork shoulder, ham (pork butt), salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrate. Although potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrate aren’t technically Paleo, the short ingredient list makes SPAM sound almostokay. Much like other processed meats. If you want to learn about the process, check out this old SPAM promotional video from the 1960’s.

Here in the U.S., SPAM is more often a culinary joke than a culinary prize, but that’s not true in many parts of the world. During World War II, soldiers in Hawaii were served SPAM since it doesn’t need refrigeration, can be eaten cold, and when prepared properly, has quite a lot of flavor. It quickly spread throughout the Pacific, and often shows up in seemingly refined cultures’ cuisine.

In South Korea, SPAM is often rolled into kimbap, and is often given as a gift. In Hong Kong it is eaten with noodles (and in ramen), and even in the U.K. it is battered, deep-fried, and served up as SPAM fritters. So, is SPAM Paleo?

What is SPAM?

As the website clearly states, SPAM is not a hodgepodge of leftover meat scraps, but a mixture of pork shoulder, ham (pork butt), salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrate. Although potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrate aren’t technically Paleo, the short ingredient list makes SPAM sound almostokay. Much like other processed meats. If you want to learn about the process, check out this old SPAM promotional video from the 1960’s.

Is SPAM Paleo?

You guess it. SPAM is not Paleo. Just like McDonald’s burger patties and super-processed pepperoni and cheap hotdogs are not Paleo. Just because it is made from meat, does not mean it is healthy OR Paleo! The meat used in SPAM, conventional hotdogs, and most processed pepperoni and sausage comes from conventionally grown livestock farms, where the animals are fattened on corn, and in some cases provided antibiotics, hormones, and incredibly disgusting living conditions. The resulting meat is full of omega-6 fatty acids (bad), and low on omega-3 fatty acids (the good ones). The meat is generally mechanically butchered, ground, and separated, treated with chemicals, preservatives, salt, starch, and sugar, then packaged for a long shelve life.

If you’re stuck in a bunker after nuclear war, sure, SPAM is going to keep you alive. It might even provide much-needed fat in a high-carb diet. But if you’ve got other options in current times, it’s a good idea to leave SPAM out of your diet, or only consume it on those special trips to Hawaii and South Korea. AsMark’s Sisson’s site states on each post: “So while SPAM is technically meat, it ain’t anywhere near Primal.”

Are you struggling with which foods are Paleo?  Do you need help planning some Paleo meals?  Check out this great Paleo cookbook: