Bacon

[Stephanie Williamson]

Everywhere I look, it says that bacon really isn't all that great for you...yet it's constantly being promoted on here, along with cooking in bacon grease. It's obviously delicious and I do it too, but is it really necessary? Well, not necessary since that's clearly a no, but should we be doing it?

I also read that bacon is a processed meat and is in the same category as hot dogs and such. Wouldn't Paleo not allow this if that is the case?

Thanks for your input!

[Christopher G. Woods]

Bacon is not processed meat; it's a cut of pork, just like a loin or ham. Bacon is often cured with less than desirable substances, but can easily be purchased uncured; I personally think that uncured bacon is much more flavorful. I wouldn't encourage bacon as the main course of a meal, but is both delicious and harmless as a trimming. Saturated fat is not your enemy.

[Michael Dowling]

i think the bacon promotion is because:

1. it's friggin delicious
2. to get people unafraid and stop obsessing over everything that goes in their mouth. eating clean and healthy is great, but being obsessive about it and not enjoying things like bacon is not healthy as long as you don't over-do it.

that's my take on it because in no way shape or form is store bought cured bacon good for you.

[Jay Lalik]

I eat uncured bacon from Trader Joes. I thought uncured bacon was the most delicious bacon I ever tasted.

[Christina Daley]

It is definitely nice to be able to eat it after years of "I shouldn't eat that".

Meat was often cured with salt ages ago to keep it from spoiling and lasting all winter.

[Darryl Shaw]

Originally Posted by Stephanie Williamson

Everywhere I look, it says that bacon really isn't all that great for you...yet it's constantly being promoted on here, along with cooking in bacon grease. It's obviously delicious and I do it too, but is it really necessary? Well, not necessary since that's clearly a no, but should we be doing it?

I also read that bacon is a processed meat and is in the same category as hot dogs and such. Wouldn't Paleo not allow this if that is the case?

Thanks for your input!

I'd limit consumption of bacon and other processed meats to the occasional treat if I were you because according to the World Cancer Reasearch Fund there is "convincing evidence that eating processed meat is linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer".

wcrf.org - Red and Processed Meat: finding the balance for cancer prevention.

Colorectal Cancer Report 2010 Summary: Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Colorectal Cancer.

www.dietandcancerreport.org

*All links wfs*

[Zane Jones]

It depends on how often and how much. It's a higher-fat (~65%) cut of pork, so if eating more fat/calories is in line with your goals then have at it. I eat roughly 3/4 oz of bacon most mornings for breakfast and I've done that with a variety of nutrition plans, both weight loss and weight gain and achieved success. If you're trying to lose weight and want bacon, just keep an eye on what else you have throughout the day.

It's "processed" depending on what you buy. Is it precooked and come in a box? It's probably crap. Is it behind the counter and look fresh? Do you know where it came from? It's probably good.

I make my own bacon at home with pork belly i buy from a local farm. it's very easy, fun to make, and you can create some pretty amazing flavor combinations.

For anyone interested: http://ruhlman.com/2010/10/home-cured-bacon-2/ (WFS)

Have any of you folks tried Guanciale (Cured Pork Jowl)? It's around 90% fat... It's the bees knees, but i usually only eat it every once in a while.

[Alicia Michel]

Originally Posted by Christina Daley

It is definitely nice to be able to eat it after years of "I shouldn't eat that".

Haha! Heck ya!

Robb Wolf's website just published a guide to curing your own bacon.

Ingredients are:
2 tablespoons black peppercorns
1 teaspoon fennel seed
1 teaspoon caraway seed
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
1 tablespoon dried thyme
4 bay leaves
8 tablespoons or ½ cup of sea salt (not coarse)
3 cloves of garlic, finely minced

If you're up to it you can get the full receipe at http://[hisname].com/2011/05/20/...e-cured-bacon/ (WFS)

[Zane Jones]

Originally Posted by Alicia Zhuang

Haha! Heck ya!

Robb Wolf's website just published a guide to curing your own bacon.

Ingredients are:
2 tablespoons black peppercorns
1 teaspoon fennel seed
1 teaspoon caraway seed
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
1 tablespoon dried thyme
4 bay leaves
8 tablespoons or ½ cup of sea salt (not coarse)
3 cloves of garlic, finely minced

If you're up to it you can get the full receipe at http://[hisname].com/2011/05/20/...e-cured-bacon/ (WFS)

Nice recipe. He doesn't use curing salt (sodium nitrate or ite, can't remember), so don't freak out when you don't get the familiar red/pink color... that's normal. It will look like regular pork when you cook it.

[Christina Daley]

Originally Posted by Alicia Zhuang

Haha! Heck ya!

Robb Wolf's website just published a guide to curing your own bacon.

Ingredients are:
2 tablespoons black peppercorns
1 teaspoon fennel seed
1 teaspoon caraway seed
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
1 tablespoon dried thyme
4 bay leaves
8 tablespoons or ½ cup of sea salt (not coarse)
3 cloves of garlic, finely minced

If you're up to it you can get the full receipe at http://[hisname].com/2011/05/20/...e-cured-bacon/ (WFS)

Thanks! I have to look at pork this weekend, I have no idea what that cut is.