10 Best & Worst Pork Sausage Brands, According to RDs
When it comes to choosing the best pork sausage, both taste and nutrition are of the utmost importance. Registered Dietitians (RDs) recommend looking for brands that use high-quality ingredients, minimal additives, and humane animal practices. Here’s a list of the top 5 best brands followed by the top 5 to avoid:
Best Pork Sausage Brands:
1.Brandt Natural Pork Sausages:
Renowned for their natural ingredients and absence of preservatives, Brandt meets the criteria for both health-conscious consumers and flavor enthusiasts.
2. Applegate Naturals® Pork Sausage:
Applegate offers sausages made from pork that is humanely raised without antibiotics and with no added sugars, which aligns with healthy dietary guidelines recommended by experts.
3.Niman Ranch All-Natural Pork Sausage:
These gourmet sausages come from heritage-bred pigs and boast a clean ingredient list, earning praise from RDs for their commitment to quality and taste.
4.The Piggery Trumansburg Traditional Fresh Pork Sausage:
A small-batch brand that focuses on pasture-raised pork without filler ingredients. Their transparency in sourcing makes them a favorite among health experts.
5.Johnsonville Natural Fresh Pork Original Bratwurst:
Though a larger brand, Johnsonville’s Natural line offers a no-MSG, no-preservative sausage option that doesn’t compromise on the authentic bratwurst flavor.
Worst Pork Sausage Brands:
1.Bob’s Budget Pork Sausages:
These are highly processed with a long list of artificial flavors and preservatives, which dietitians advise against for regular consumption.
2.Farmington Classic Pork Links:
Despite an appealing price point, these sausages contain high amounts of sodium and MSG, making them less desirable from a nutritional standpoint.
3.Happy Farms Preferred Breakfast Sausages:
While tasty, these sausages are criticized for their excessive use of fillers, added sugars, and preservatives that contribute to their placement on this list.
4.EZ-Cook Generic Pork Breakfast Sausage:
The questionable quality of meat and high fat content per serving size are concerns that RDs highlight with EZ-Cook’s sausages.
5.Quick Eats Pre-Cooked Pork Sausage Patties:
These patties may be convenient but are laden with saturated fat, sodium, artificial flavors, and additives – making them a non-starter for health-aware consumers.
These evaluations are grounded on principles of nutrition science; however, every person’s dietary needs are unique. For personalized dietary advice, it is always best to consult with a Registered Dietitian or healthcare provider.