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Bacon
Health | March 23, 2015
A few people rang the alarm bells when I shared a recipe that called for some bacon. If you’re vegan or vegetarian I fully understand if this is not your thing :). Otherwise, hear me out. Contrary to what many of us hear or heard growing up, bacon is not bad for you. As with any other red meat, portion control is always your friend. Still, bacon is good source of protein and fat (and deliciousness!), especially when keeping your carbs under control.
Let’s be clear about a few things before I begin discussing bacon. First and foremost, I don’t support and will never promote any kind of meat or animal product that is not organic and grass-fed and, of course, humanely treated. Secondly, I’m talking about premium bacon – the kind that might be bit more expensive, but definitely worth the few extra dollars in terms of overall health (and taste!).
A common issue that is brought up when discussing cured meats including bacon is that the methods of preservation including the use of nitrites and nitrates are an incredible risk to our health. The truth is that such claims are a bit far-fetched. These methods of curing have been around for hundreds of years. Sure, there are cheaper ways to do so just as there are better and worse types of meats to purchase, i.e., grass-fed, organic, etc. As with anything else, quality counts.
Nitrates and nitrites exist in the most unlikely places. Some vegetables are incredibly high in nitrates. For example, check out this study that demonstrates that two servings of beets or celery has more nitrate than close to 500 hot dogs! The same study concluded that consuming nitrate and nitrite are not associated with a higher cancer risk either.
Often the things that we’re told are unhealthy are considered so because people eat them in such huge amounts. Overeating alongside an already poor diet and lack of exercise will obviously lead to disastrous results regarding health and wellbeing.
Moderation seems to have gone the way of the dinosaurs, in my opinion. Of course, anything including bacon is going to be bad for you if you decide to eat it like popcorn 24/7. However, as part of a balanced diet it’s a tasty treat that doesn’t need to be shunned as though it’s the equivalent of shooting up heroine or meth :).
I’m not trying to tell you guys what you must eat, but I hope I’ve explained why I do eat the things I do such as bacon. Again, it’s a good source of protein and a great source of healthy fat.
Any bacon-loving warriorz out there care to share your favorite ways to prepare and use bacon? Do you fry it or throw it in the oven? Any brands you swear by? Let me know!
Private Member |
uk
Love bacon. Anything taste better with it. I buy high quality, fry it and eat it with sourdough bread. But I do control the amount and how often I eat it, otherwise I would eat it everyday and thats not ok. Interesting info about nitrates, Zuzka. Very helpful. Thank you.
Private Member |
I love bacon but only eat it once a month maybe which i love with pasta! Bacon hss been the staple food item in the UK diet for a long time and workers went to work with their belly filled with bacon and it didn’t do them any harm. I’m partial to smoked bacon and never buy the cheap stuff! And now i want bacon for my tea tonight :-p
Private Member |
I love bacon since I turned Paleo 2 years ago. It was something I would have never eat before…
I love cook meat bread. So easy and so delicious !!
Take a pound or more of minced grass-fed beef meat, add in some onions, parsley, spices of your choice and mix it well with your cleaned hands. Put half of it in the bottom of a greased rectangular cake plate, add 2 or 3 whole boiled eggs on the meat, cover with the other half of meat and close well. Lay some piece of bacon all around it and put in the hot oven for around 30 min… serve with a nice salad and enjoy !!
Private Member |
Hi Stephanie, that meat bread sounds great! I also do paleo! its good to know that someone else does too!
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pilot butte, saskatchewan, canada
I’m Paleo too Ashlee, changed my life!
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perth, western australia, australia
HI Stephanie,
Great to know about this easy yummy meat bread. I prepare my home made burger just the same way as you prepare the meat. So i think my husband might like that too. I definitely will have to try this way to make meat loaf:) I’m not Paleo but like trying new recipes every time i can. I’m not a great bacon lover but do eat it once in a while.
Private Member |
Take plump pieces of chicken breast and slice it through the middle, stuff with a little smoked gouda cheese then wrap in bacon. Bake and wallow in yumminess!
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Sounds amazing thanks for the new idea!!
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I sautéed bacon and green peppers and then I add black beans, quinoa, cumin, garlic, salt and pepper. That’s my version of Cuban dish called ” congri ” .
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I don’t eat bacon or pork simply bc its a scavenger. Pigs have no sweat glands are they are an animal put on the earth to clean it. So even if a pig is grass/grain fed…its still a scavenger. It’s still going to eat the dead bird that fell to the ground or whatever else funk it comes across. Pigs will eat anything and since they have no way of eliminating toxins and poison from their bodies through sweat, they store it in their fat.
Mmmmmmm….bacon
lol
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Rebecca, do you eat shrimps. Just so that you know: they are classic scavengers, that means they eat dead matter, ha, ha. I’m noticing, lots of people, particularly in North America, consider them to be a delicatesse. Go and figure… Do you eat chicken? One of the most parasite prone/infested meat, you can have, no matter, how raised. And if you would look at this from your particular point of view, pork is actually a health food, compared to chicken. On top of it, chicken just love to nibble on excrements. Traditionally raised pork is just fine, like any other animals. You deprive yourself of a delicious protein. As Zuzka mentioned, as long as the animals are organically raised, particularly not fed by genetically modified Franken “food”, they have been a staple of human menu for as long as the humans exist. If cooked properly, any meat is fine, unless you have specific religious prejudice, or believe some erroneous information.
Private Member |
I actually do follow the health laws dictated by the bible. I dont eat any scavengers such as lobster, shrimp, catfish, pork, vultures, etc…..so yes it is a personal choice for me. As far as parasites and poop are concerned, I do understand that chicken is The Dirty Bird…but as previously stated they do have sweat glands and have the ability to excrete toxins. But beyond that I trust the God who created them to serve their purpose and that He knows best what to put into the human body. I follow that 🙂
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i hate to break it to you, but chickens don’t have sweat glands either. this is a logical fallacy anyways; the liver is the primary remover of toxins in a body, and pigs have those. the secondary, of course, is defecation and urination. pork is no more toxic than any other animal as long as it is properly handled and cooked.
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Who eats Vultures?
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ellijay, ga, united states
The added bonus of getting the more expensive/organic/humanely treated… I don’t wind up overeating it, because it’s too expensive to get often! (Well, at least for me, since I can’t afford that! 😉 ) Ha!
Bacon is soooooooo good with cooked cabbage!
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I agree with you Zuzka, Beacon is very good for us in moderation. (I fry mine) We need to remember that golden rule Quality & Quantity. If we stick to that all is good.
Private Member |
Love love love bacon. Fortunately we know a man who raises his own pork, chicken and beef. All organic and grass fed so we get our meat from him. We love bacon fired cabbage. We love to cook our eggs with the left over grease. Bacon wrapped roast, bacon wrapped fish with a sage leaf, anything bacon really 🙂
Private Member |
Love bacon. I tried turkey bacon from trader joes. it was okay. I wonder what are some brands to look for as well.