Sausages are a tasty delicacy that lots of families enjoy around the world.
There are different types of sausages, one of which includes summer sausages.
These sausages go as far back as the settlement of Germans in the new world.
Today, you can best enjoy them as a delicious part of many breakfast meals or simply as a succulent snack.
In this article, you will find out if summer sausage is good for you or not.
What exactly is summer sausage?
Summer sausage is a type of cured meat made from beef, pork, or venison.
It is seasoned with a blend of spices and is often dried or semi-dried, making it a product that can be stored for long periods without refrigeration.
Summer sausage is known to have originated in Europe.
There, it was originally made as a way to preserve meat during warmer months when temperatures were too high for traditional methods of storage.
Why is it called summer sausage?
It is because of its preservative quality.
As earlier said, traditionally, summer sausage was made in Europe before the arrival of refrigerators.
In those times, the Germans would make summer sausages from their meat leftovers in fall or winter to preserve the meat for the coming year.
The cold months made it possible for the meat to dry and be cured without refrigeration, for consumption in the summer months.
Hence, the name summer sausage.
Is summer sausage good for you?
Yes, it is good for you.
Summer sausage comprises meat, a good source of proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
It is rich in Vitamin B-12 and iron, which are essential for healthy red blood cells and hemoglobin production.
However, like most sausages, it is high in fat and it’s best to eat it moderately or as part of a well-balanced diet.
If you eat in excess, summer sausage could contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of heart disease.
Aside from this, it is high in sodium, and excess intake can lead to high blood pressure.
Why is summer sausage good for you?
Good Source of Protein
The sausage contains a good amount of protein.
Protein aids the building, maintenance, and repair of muscle mass, and it helps improve your tissue health.
A serving of summer sausage is an excellent source of protein which is great for a healthy diet.
Boosts the Immune System
Selenium is a mineral present in summer sausages.
Selenium helps boost the immune system and thyroid health.
This mineral in summer sausages makes it good for your overall health.
High in Vitamins and Minerals
Summer sausages are rich in vitamin B-12 and iron which have great nutritional benefits.
They are also great for red blood cells and hemoglobin formation.
This makes summer sausages a good and nutritional addition to your diet.
Types of summer sausages
Summer sausages vary depending on the type of meat used for their production.
Here are some popular types of summer sausages:
Beef Summer Sausage
Beef summer is a type of sausage that comes from ground beef and a variety of spices.
It is generally made from lean cuts of beef and has a firm, dry texture.
It is often served at room temperature and is a popular choice for picnics and outdoor events.
Turkey Summer Sausage
Turkey Summer Sausage consists of ground turkey and spices.
It is a leaner alternative among the other summer sausages. And it has a firm, dry texture.
The taste of turkey summer sausage will depend on the variety of spices you use in making it.
But it often has a savory, salty and spicy taste.
Venison Summer Sausage
This type of summer sausage is made from ground venison, which is the meat of a deer.
It is made as a combination of ground venison and pork and then seasoned with a combination of spices such as black pepper, garlic, and paprika.
You can enjoy it as a snack or as part of a larger meal.
Benefits of eating sausages
There are a number of nutritional benefits associated with eating sausages, some of them are:
Sausage contains proteins
Sausages are generally high in protein, but their protein content varies by type.
Proteins are essential to the body because they keep the body fluids balanced, aid the build and contraction of muscles, and contribute to the making and repair of cells in the body.
Like other animal products, sausages contain protein, so adding them to your meal would help create a balanced diet.
Sausages are rich in iron
Some types of sausages, such as blood sausages, are rich in iron.
Iron is an essential nutrient that helps transport oxygen in the body.
The presence of iron is one of the reasons eating sausage is beneficial for you.
Sausages provide B-Vitamins
Sausages are a good source of B-Vitamins, which are necessary for energy production and the proper functioning of the nervous system.
Eating sausages would provide you with a great amount of B-Vitamins that would give you energy during the day.
Side effects of eating sausages
Although sausages can be a healthy addition to your diet, they have potential side effects, some of which include:
Weight Gain
Sausages are often high in fat and calories which can contribute to weight gain if you consume them in excess.
You should be mindful of eating too many sausages to avoid an increase in weight.
Increased Risk of Cancer
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified processed meat as a carcinogen: something that causes cancer. Sausage is a type of processed meat.
Therefore, eating too much of it could increase the risk of your susceptibility to certain types of cancer.
Increased Risk of Heart Disease
The high levels of saturated fat and sodium in some sausages may increase the risk of getting heart disease.
Foods with a high concentration of sodium could cause high blood pressure which could lead to heart disease and sausage is one such food.
How long is summer sausage good for once opened?
Once opened, summer sausage can be stored for 3- 4 weeks in the refrigerator.
If you want to store it for longer, you can freeze it.
While in the freezer, opened summer sausage is good for several months. But the texture and flavor may change slightly.
The best way to store it in the refrigerator is in a releasable plastic bag or plastic wrap.
On the other hand, if decide to store it in the freezer, place it in an airtight heavy-duty aluminum foil or freezer paper to preserve its quality.
More related questions
Is pork sausage healthy?
Pork sausage can be healthy. But you must be mindful of the ingredients and serving size.
Some pork sausage products are high in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars which can lead to a range of health issues when consumed in excess.
Is beef sausage healthy?
Yes, beef sausage is healthy.
It contains an assortment of vitamins and minerals that are part of maintaining a healthy diet.
Is summer sausage good for weight loss?
Summer sausage is not good for weight loss. It is often high in saturated fat, sodium, and calories.
Although it can be part of a healthy diet, sausage could contribute to weight gain when you consume it in excess.
What makes summer sausage tangy?
Summer sausage gets its tangy flavor from a special type of bacteria that ferments the meat, creating lactic acid, which gives it that tangy taste.
Conclusion
In conclusion, summer sausage is a good addition to your diet.
It is easy to store and easy to prepare.
However, like other sausages, it is better to eat them moderately to avoid the health problems that come with excessive consumption.
Preferably, you can add it to your salad mix, grill it and enjoy it with other nutrient-packed foods.
Your body will thank you for it.
