Looking at prosciutto, it may simply look like regular ham deli meat. While you can use prosciutto on a sandwich, this thinly sliced Italian specialty ham is more commonly used in salads and as a topping for pizza. Another common use includes wrapping paper thin slices of prosciutto around melon, usually cantaloupe, to impart aged, salty flavor of the prosciutto on the sweet fruit. Pairing it with fruit, however, does not make prosciutto a healthy food. Despite the vitamins and minerals it contains, this meat is high in fat and sodium.
Calories and Fat
A 2-oz. serving of prosciutto contains 142 calories, or 7.1 percent of the calories in you should consume daily, based on a 2,000-calorie meal plan. Prosciutto packs 10.1 g of fat into each serving, 4 g of which are saturated fat, the type that may increase your blood cholesterol levels and worsen your chances of developing coronary heart disease.
Protein and Carbohydrates
Eating prosciutto does contribute to your daily energy requirements due to its protein and carbohydrate content, although there are healthier foods you can consume to meet those needs. A 2-oz. serving of prosciutto contains 16.2 g of high-quality protein, or protein that provides all essential amino acids. Aside from its role in providing fuel for your body, the protein in prosciutto promotes a healthy immune system and lean muscle growth. You need 46 to 56 g of protein each day. You will take in far fewer carbohydrates by including prosciutto in your diet, however; one serving provides you with 2 g of 130 g recommended for daily consumption. Carbohydrates serve as your body's main source of energy.
Vitamins and Minerals
Prosciutto is a rich source of vitamin A. Each serving of prosciutto supplies 40.5 percent of the daily recommended intake of this vitamin. The vitamin A protects your night vision; it also may help prevent dry eyes and eye infections. A serving of prosciutto gives you a smaller amount of vitamin C and provides you with a trace amount of iron.
Sodium
Because prosciutto is salted during the manufacturing process, it satisfies nearly two-thirds of the suggested daily limit of 1,500 mg. The 973.7 mg of sodium per serving contributes to your risk of elevated blood pressure and may cause water retention as well.
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