Eating healthy is top of mind for many people, but they often think it's not possible on a tight budget. With the consumer in mind, Butterball LLC, Garner, N.C., said it developed an array of Carolina Turkey Deluxe deli meats that are both affordable and certified by the American Heart Association (AHA).

“Tightening the purse strings doesn’t mean consumers have to sacrifice health, quality or taste,” said Kari Lindell, director of retail marketing, Butterball, LLC.  “Now, consumers can get the great taste they desire at the deli with AHA certified, lower-sodium deli products.”

Officials said new line of Carolina Turkey Deluxe AHA certified products "allows value-minded shoppers to provide great-tasting, healthy food for their families." Certification by the AHA means products contain: 3g of fat or less, 1g of saturated fat or less, .5g of trans fat or less, 460 mgs of sodium or less, and 20 mgs of cholesterol or less.

Lindell noted that Carolina Turkey Deluxe lower-sodium deli products were preferred over higher-sodium products, as supported by independent taste tests.

The new line has six varieties including Cajun, Peppered, Oven Roasted, Oil Browned, Smoked and Honey. Carolina Turkey Deluxe AHA certified lower-sodium deli products can be found at major grocery stores beginning September 2009.