Can You Have Ham on the Optavia Diet? A Detailed Guide

The Optavia diet has become wildly popular for its easy-to-follow approach to rapid weight loss. With Optavia, you eat packaged “fuelings” along with one daily “lean and green” meal that you prepare yourself. The pre-portioned fuelings containing bars, shakes and snacks make calorie and carb counting simple. But when it comes to cooking your own meals, questions come up about what foods are allowed. One common question is: can you have ham on Optavia?

As someone who has tested many diets, I was interested to find out. I thoroughly researched Optavia’s guidelines and resources to get the complete details on ham Keep reading to learn if you can enjoy this tasty and protein-packed meat while following the Optavia plan.

Understanding Optavia’s Lean and Green Meal Rules

The basic composition of an Optavia lean and green meal is:

• 5-7 oz cooked lean protein
• Non-starchy vegetables
• Up to 2 servings healthy fats

For the protein, you choose from leanest, leaner and lean options. The leaner the protein, the more fat you can add.

After analyzing Optavia’s lists of approved proteins, here is what I found:

• Ham is classified as a “lean” protein
• You get 5 oz of ham with 0 added fats

This confirms that yes, you can definitely have ham on the Optavia diet! It falls into their approved category of lean protein options. Now let’s get into more details.

How to Add Ham to Your Optavia Lean and Green Meal

While ham is permitted, there are some important guidelines to follow:

• Stick to 5 oz cooked ham
• Opt for leaner ham like turkey ham
• Avoid fatty ham like cured or honey-baked
• Bake, grill or boil instead of frying
• Pair with non-starchy vegetables
• Don’t add extra fat like cheese or mayo

Here are some easy ways to enjoy lean ham on your Optavia lean and green meal

• Ham and vegetable omelet
• Ham salad stuffed tomato
• Ham & veggie skewers
• Ham with broccoli and cauliflower
• Ham roll-ups with lettuce and mustard

Sample Optavia-Friendly Ham Recipes

To help you get started, here are 3 delicious and diet-approved recipe ideas featuring lean ham:

1. Ham and Vegetable Egg Muffins

• Whisk 8 eggs + 2 egg whites
• Add 1/2 cup diced ham and 1 cup diced veggies
• Pour into a greased muffin tin
• Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes

1. Ham and Green Beans Skillet

• Sauté 1 cup green beans in 1 tsp olive oil
• Add 5 oz diced ham and seasonings
• Cook until heated through

1. Ham Salad Lettuce Wraps

• Chop 5 oz ham + 1 stalk celery
• Mix with 2 tbsp mustard + 1 tbsp vinegar
• Scoop into lettuce leaf wraps

Optavia Ham Shopping Tips

Follow these tips for choosing the best ham options at the grocery store

• Seek out lower-fat turkey ham
• Look for “lean” labeled ham
• Check nutrition labels and choose lowest fat options
• Avoid honey glazed or sugar cured ham
• Buy solid ham slices not processed lunchmeat
• Opt for boiled, baked or smoked ham

The Verdict on Ham and Optavia

• Stick to 5 oz serving: This fits into the approved lean protein quantity.

• Pick lean ham: Opt for turkey ham or ham marked “lean”. Avoid honey baked or cured ham which can be high in fat, sugar and preservatives.

• Cook it right: Bake, grill or boil ham. Skip frying to keep it lean.

• Pair with vegetables: Serve ham with non-starchy veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, kale and peppers.

• Skip added fats: Don’t load up ham with high fat ingredients like cheese, butter, mayonnaise or creamy sauces.

• Enjoy in moderation: Limit ham to just one lean and green meal per day to stay within your daily protein allowance.

With smart choices and preparation methods, ham can absolutely be part of a healthy Optavia diet plan. It provides a tasty way to get lean protein along with vegetables into your one daily home-cooked meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about eating ham on the Optavia diet:

Can I have deli ham?

Pre-sliced deli ham is often higher in fat, salt and preservatives than fresh solid ham. For best results, choose freshly sliced ham from the butcher counter or solid ham slices from the meat case.

What about prosciutto or salami?

Cured and aged meats like prosciutto and salami tend to be too high in fat and sodium to fit into Optavia guidelines. Stick to plain boiled, baked or smoked ham.

Can I use ham bone for soup?

Yes, using ham bones to flavor soups and beans is a great way to stretch your ham while adding nutrition. Just be sure to limit actual ham pieces to 5 oz per serving.

What about glazed or honey baked ham?

Sweet glazes and honey baked hams add sugars and fat which don’t align with Optavia meal plans. Check labels and opt for the leanest baked or smoked ham.

Can I have a ham sandwich?

Yes, but swap fatty condiments for mustard, pickles or vinegar. Choose whole grain bread and pile it high with veggies to cut the carbs and calories.

Is ham ok for vegetarians?

No. Ham comes from pork, so it does not fit into vegetarian or vegan Optavia plans. Stick to plant proteins like tofu, tempeh, seitan, beans, lentils, edamame and veggie crumbles.

The Takeaway

Ham can be part of a healthy Optavia lean and green meal with proper portioning and preparation. Choosing lean ham, skipping added fats, and pairing it with vegetables allows you to enjoy the classic flavor of ham while adhering to diet guidelines. With smart substitutions and balanced pairings, ham can help add tasty protein variety to your Optavia journey.