High Noon is a popular canned meat snack made by Hormel. It consists of small meat snacks packed in a can with broth. High Noon is marketed as a high protein, low carb snack that can help keep you full between meals. However, some people wonder if High Noon is actually a healthy choice or if it’s fattening due to the high saturated fat and sodium content. This article will take an in-depth look at the nutrition facts, ingredients, and health effects of High Noon to determine if it’s a smart snacking option or if you’re better off choosing something else.
Nutrition Facts
The nutrition facts for a can of High Noon are as follows:
| Serving Size | 1 can (2.6 oz) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 70 |
| Total Fat | 2g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg |
| Sodium | 390mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 1g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 0g |
| Protein | 13g |
As you can see, one serving of High Noon contains 70 calories, 13g of protein, 2g of total fat, 390mg of sodium, and 1g of carbs.
Let’s analyze these nutrition facts in more detail:
Calories
At just 70 calories per can, High Noon is low in calories, especially compared to other meat snacks like jerky or pork rinds which can have 100-200 calories per serving. This makes it a good option if you’re watching your calorie intake.
Fat
The total fat in High Noon is 2g with 0.5g saturated fat. This is relatively low for a meat-based food product. For comparison, a 1 ounce serving of beef jerky contains around 9g of fat with 3g saturated. So High Noon provides the protein of meat snacks with less of the fat that often comes with them.
Sodium
High Noon does contain a high amount of sodium at 390mg per can. The daily recommended limit for sodium is 2300mg, so one can of High Noon provides about 17% of that. The high sodium content comes from the broth the meat is packed in. If you’re watching your salt intake for health reasons, this is something to be aware of.
Protein
With 13g of protein per 2.6 ounce can, High Noon offers an excellent source of filling protein. Protein takes longer to digest and helps regulate appetite by controlling levels of hunger hormones. So the high protein in High Noon can aid in keeping you satisfied.
Carbs
At just 1g of carbs from sugar per can, High Noon is very low carb. This makes it suitable for low carb or keto diets.
So in terms of macronutrients, High Noon is low in calories, fat, and carbs, but high in protein and sodium. The fairly clean nutrition profile makes it a good option macro-wise, just keep the sodium content in mind.
Ingredients
Now let’s take a look at the ingredients list for High Noon:
– Cooked chicken, pork, beef
– Water, chicken stock
– Salt
– Sugar
– Natural flavorings
– Onion powder
– Garlic powder
– Vitamin C
The primary ingredients are the cooked meats, followed by the broth used to pack the meat. Salt is the third ingredient, accounting for the high sodium content. Sugar is fourth, followed by natural flavors, spices, and vitamin C.
Overall this is a fairly clean and straightforward ingredients list, with no artificial additives or preservatives. The ingredients are all recognizable and sound like something you’d use to make meat snacks at home.
The only potential concern is the high placement of salt on the ingredients list. But otherwise, the natural, high protein ingredients point to this being a healthy choice of meat snack.
Effects on Health and Weight Loss
So how does eating High Noon affect your health, diet, and weight compared to other snacking options? Here is a detailed look:
Blood Sugar and Insulin
With minimal carbs and sugar, High Noon won’t lead to spikes in blood sugar or insulin like high carb snacks. Steady blood sugar is important for keeping hunger in check. So High Noon gets the green light when it comes to blood sugar control.
Appetite and Overeating
The high protein and minimal carbs in High Noon result in stable blood sugar levels, which helps control appetite. High Noon provides a very filling 70 calories. Compare this to a 70 calorie snack of pretzels, which would digest quickly and lead to hunger again soon after eating. So High Noon keeps you feeling satisfied for longer on fewer calories vs carb-based snacks. This reduces the likelihood of overeating.
Weight Loss
Due to its appetite-suppressing protein and minimal carbs and fat, High Noon can be a smart choice for weight loss when eaten in moderation. It provides satiating protein to keep you full without a lot of excess calories, fat, or carbs that could lead to weight gain. Just keep portion sizes reasonable as overdoing any food can lead to weight gain.
Muscle Building and Recovery
The 13g of protein in each can of High Noon makes it a good mini-meal choice for building or maintaining muscle when combined with strength training. The protein provides amino acids to aid muscle protein synthesis. High Noon’s portability makes it easy to eat as a convenient protein-packed snack after a workout to promote recovery.
Heart Health
While fresh meats are healthier, High Noon’s minimal fat and saturated fat content make it a fairly heart healthy choice for a processed meat snack. There are much more artery-clogging options out there like sausage, bacon, etc. However, the high sodium content is something to keep in mind for those with hypertension. Moderating sodium intake from other foods can help compensate.
Nutrient Profile
In terms of overall nutrients, High Noon provides lean protein, vitamins like Vitamin C and minerals like selenium. But it lacks fiber, antioxidants, phytochemicals and many vitamins found more abundantly in fresh, whole foods. So it shouldn’t comprise your entire diet, but can be a smart addition in moderation.
In summary, High Noon provides a number of potential health benefits related to protein, manageable calories, and little impact on blood sugar. The main detractors are the high sodium content and lack of vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytochemicals found in more wholesome fresh foods. But as an occasional protein-packed snack, High Noon can be a healthier choice in the processed meat category. Moderation is key as with any food.
Alternatives to High Noon
If you’re looking to limit sodium, fat or desire more nutritional benefits, here are some healthy alternatives to consider instead of High Noon:
Jerky
Like High Noon, jerky provides protein and portability. Look for options with lower sodium and nitrates. Turkey and bison jerky also provide leaner protein than beef jerky. Or make your own jerky from quality lean meat without preservatives.
Nuts and Seeds
An ounce of nuts or seeds provides filling protein, fiber and healthy fats. Options like almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds make excellent snacks. You can mix them up for variety.
Nut Butters
Nut butters like almond butter, peanut butter and sunflower seed butter deliver protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Opt for all-natural choices without added oils or sugar. Enjoy a tablespoon or two with apple slices or whole grain crackers.
Greek Yogurt
Choose unsweetened Greek yogurt for an excellent source of protein, probiotics, calcium, and other nutrients. Enjoy it plain or flavor it yourself with fresh fruit and cinnamon.
Protein Bars
Read labels and look for options with at least 5-10g of protein, under 200 calories, high fiber, and low added sugars. Whole food ingredients like nuts and seeds are best.
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese provides casein protein, which digests slower than whey protein to keep you fuller longer. Top it with fruit, nuts, or seeds.
Hard Boiled Eggs
Eggs offer high quality protein in addition to vitamins, minerals and antioxidants like selenium and lutein. Boil a batch to have on hand for a protein-packed snack.
Edamame
This soybean snack is a nutritional powerhouse with fiber, plant-based protein, vitamins and minerals. Buy it fresh or frozen and simply steam or microwave. Sprinkle with sea salt for flavor.
Fresh Fruit
Fruits like apples, bananas, grapes, oranges and berries curb sweet cravings with fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants and just the right amount of natural sugars. Aim for 1-2 servings per day.
Vegetables
Fresh veggies like carrots, cucumber, bell peppers, celery, etc provide fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants without a lot of calories. Enjoy them on their own or pair with hummus or guacamole.
Conclusion
High Noon can be a healthier choice in the processed meat snack category thanks to its high protein content, low calorie count, and minimal carbs and fat. However, the high sodium content should be considered, especially by those monitoring their sodium intake.
Enjoying High Noon in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet can provide protein to help you stay satisfied between meals. It has a number of advantages over carb-heavy processed snacks when it comes to managing hunger and blood sugar levels. Just be mindful of your overall sodium intake.
For maximum nutrition, alternate High Noon with some of the whole food snack options listed above like nuts, yogurt, vegetables and fruits. This ensures you get a variety of nutrients in addition to protein. As with any food, moderation and variety are key to maintaining overall good health.
So is High Noon fattening? No, when eaten in sensible portions as part of a balanced diet, High Noon can be a smart choice for a high protein snack that promotes satiety and blood sugar control without excess calories, carbs or fat.
