Bacon is a beloved food often associated with indulgence. Many would agree that there’s nothing better than waking up to the sound and smell of sizzling bacon cooking. Bacon is delicious and can be enjoyed any time, at any meal, breakfast, lunch or dinner. Some may go as far as saying that bacon makes everything better. Unfortunately, despite bacon’s tantalizing taste, its reputation has been tainted throughout the years. So much so, many consider bacon to be a guilty pleasure and is “taboo” if you are looking to stick to a healthy diet. But in reality, there are many health benefits of bacon, just as long as you are aware of the type of bacon you are buying. A high-quality bacon is naturally cured, contains no antibiotics or hormones, and comes from pasture-raised raised pigs. Believe us when we tell you that eating meat from an animal that was raised humanely and was fed the proper diet while it was alive, makes a HUGE difference in the taste and quality.
Read more on humanely raised animals in this post
At Pete’s Real Food, enjoying our bacon is as important as making the best quality bacon available. We source our pork from pastured pigs raised on quality ranches. It contains no sugars or sweeteners of any kind and no added nitrates or nitrites. It is made with pork belly, spices, salt and love. We sell our bacon in an unsliced slab so you can cut it however thick or thin you prefer. This bacon is good for you and a delicious addition to your Real Food diet.
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Benefits Of Bacon
Not only does our bacon taste great – but enjoying a hearty serving has other benefits too.
Healthy Nutrients
High-quality bacon is full of nutrients such as antioxidants, selenium, iron, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc, thiamin, riboflavin, and is chock full of complete protein. Bacon also contains essential amino acids, making it a delicious way to keep your brain and body healthy and functional, all while maintaining muscle mass and hormone balance.
Source of Phosphorus and Selenium
Selenium is a key component in the health of the thyroid gland. It is also potent antioxidant that and when paired with antioxidant vitamin E, can prevent certain degenerative eye diseases and hair loss. Selenium has also been shown to play important role in joint and cardiovascular health.
Phosphorus is an essential for building your DNA, as well as forming ATP, the energy molecule that makes muscle movement possible. It combines with calcium to form calcium phosphate, which is responsible for strengthening bones and teeth. Phosphorus deficiency can cause neurological and muscular problems.
Rich in B Vitamins
B vitamins are required when converting food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which is used to produce energy. These B vitamins, often referred to as B complex vitamins, also help the body optimally utilize fats and protein. B complex vitamins are needed for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver and efficient nervous system functioning. Niacin, a B vitamin found in bacon, supports the productions of various reproductive and stress-related hormones in the adrenal glands and other parts of the body and improves circulation
Contains Choline
Choline has been recently identified as one of the most important vitamins for brain health. Studies have shown that choline can improve memory, learning speeds, and brain cell size. It may even help prevent Alzheimer's. Choline is a precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is important for muscle movement, sensory perception, sustaining attention, and decision-making.
Now as much as you may love bacon, it is simply neither feasible nor advisable to obtain the bulk of your nutrition from strips or chunks of Pete’s Paleo bacon. However, if you reserve your bacon fat for sautéing vegetables and other proteins and frying eggs, you will always have that delicious hint of bacon in your chosen meal.
Source Of Healthy Fats
Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce your cholesterol and improve the overall health of your heart. With its Omega-3 content, bacon can have a positive benefit on your heart and body, despite the massive claims that bacon causes heart disease.
HDL, or ‘good’ cholesterol, is an important marker for heart disease risk. The higher your HDL levels, the better your health. Contrary to popular advice, numerous studies have shown that eating saturated fat is one of the most effective ways to increase your HDL levels and is actually good for your heart health. In reality, it is the much-encouraged low-fat diets may actually be harming your arteries. If you are looking to lower your cholesterol, a serving of bacon can (contrary to popular belief) help raise the good numbers over time, while reducing the bad.
Read on here for more on the benefits and types of healthy fats
Cooking Tip: Ideally, you want to cook your bacon slowly over a low flame in order to reduce the oxidative damage that high heat may have on the fats. This also renders the fat perfectly to save and savor later!
Curbs Food Cravings
The one property of bacon is often maligned by conventional nutrition advice also happens to make it an excellent appetite controlling food: Its high saturated fat content.
By now you are aware of the lack of sufficient evidence to warrant the claims that saturated fat consumption causes heart disease and weight gain.
Consumption of well-sourced, naturally occurring, saturated fat actually fills you up faster than processed carbohydrate-rich foods, which means you will actually feel satiated sooner and for longer. Combine this with the fact that it tastes delicious and is often considered indulgent and crave-worthy and you can't lose!
Makes Food Even Tastier
One of the primary reasons bacon is so popular is its rich, savory flavor. Including bacon in your meals can enhance the taste and make your diet more enjoyable. This satisfaction can lead to better adherence to your real food protocol, which is crucial for your long-term well-being
Bacon is quick and easy to cook, making it a convenient option for busy individuals. It can be prepared in advance and stored for later use, ensuring you always have a tasty, snack or meal component on hand.
A note on nitrates and nitrites
Sodium nitrite is an ingredient frequently used in processed meats to prevent the growth of bacteria and enhance the color and flavor of products. When exposed to high heat in the presence of amino acids, nitrites can turn into nitrosamines, which are harmful compounds linked to a variety of adverse health effects and may be associated with an increased risk of cancer (1, 2, 3), type 1 diabetes (3, 4), Alzheimer’s disease (5, 6) and methemoglobinemia (7, 8).
According to the World Health Organization, 10 grams of nitrites is considered fatal, but doses of just two grams daily have resulted in death. The European Union has also recently re-established significantly lower maximum levels for nitrate consumption as a result of the most current data and research.
Final Thoughts
Bacon is not just a delicious treat but a functional, nutrient-dense food that can support your dietary goals and overall health. Embrace the savory goodness of bacon and enjoy all the benefits it brings to your diet.
The commercial bacon sold in the grocery stores that you once couldn’t imagine Sunday morning without, will be a distant memory after you have our bacon. Pete’s Real Food (AIP-friendly) bacon is the meatiest, most supple, melt-in-your-mouth bacon you’ll ever have. It’s a game-changer.