Bacon is Good for You
Bacon, when eaten in moderation, has a number of health benefits.
Bacon, a smoked pork product, is often labeled by the health conscious as being one of the most unhealthy foods available. The truth is that bacon contains many healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. When eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet, bacon is good for you.
Fats
Bacon contains monounsaturated fat, oliec acid, which is also found in olive oil. Nearly half of the fat found in bacon is made up of monounsaturated fat. Studies have shown that starting the day with a high fat, high protein breakfast such as bacon and eggs improves the metabolism. Eating such an energy-rich breakfast also means that the digestive system takes longer to digest the morning meal, so that snacking between lunch and breakfast isn’t necessary.
Vitamins and Minerals
Bacon contains Niacin, which is good for the skin and essential for good circulation and nervous system functioning. B vitamins, B-12 and Thiamin, improve metabolism, digestion and circulation. Phosphorous is present in bacon, assisting in heart and kidney functioning and the healthy formation of teeth and bones. Iron that is found in bacon improves the immune system and encourages the production of hemoglobin in the blood. Selenium is good for the immune system and is an antioxidant, preventing the oxidation of fats in the body. Bacon contains omega-3 fatty acids which improve circulation, lower cholesterol and decrease the risk of heart disease.
Healthy Bacon Choices
Bacon has a high sodium content, and should be served with foods that have a low salt content, to balance the amount of sodium being absorbed into the body. A breakfast of boiled or poached eggs, bacon and fresh fruit is healthier than a breakfast of fried eggs, bacon and fried bread.
Bacon contains nitrates and nitrates. These alone aren’t bad for your health, when eaten in moderation, but the by-products of nitrites, nitrosamines, are bad for you. Luckily, nitrosamines are only found in overcooked bacon, so avoid cooking your bacon until it is crisp.
Moderate the amount of bacon that you eat. A few slices with breakfast every other day is a healthier way to enjoy bacon than scoffing down a pack of bacon each day. Although bacon is good for you in many ways, it still has a high sodium, saturated fat and cholesterol content. These are only good for you if you eat bacon in moderation.
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Published in: Cooking
Eunice Tan | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
I am glad knowing that bacon is good for us.
Sail338 | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
Nice
BruceW | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
The salt and nitrate contents of bacon depend on how it is cured. Better quality bacon will have less salt left in, if you can afford it that is. Cheaper bacon has briny water left in, causing the white deposit you see when grilled.
Also grilling the bacon is better than frying it as you’re not adding any more fat and some of the fat in there already can drip away.
drelayaraja | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
I am with Bruce, preparation of Bacon should be proper in order to get its benefits.Great share friend
PRIYADARSHINI | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
something new to me .. good post
Mr Ghaz | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
Great share! very interesting read. useful tips indeed
overwings | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
Oh wonderful pork!
Catherine South | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
Bruce Officer:
That’s a very good tip for cooking bacon. Thanks
Wiggles18 | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
Yeah, there is definitely nothing wrong with healthy fats, it is the unhealthy fats and carbohydrates that are the true culprits. When I was trying to lean up, I actually ate almost a pound of bacon a day, and it helped out a lot
. Eating fat does not make you fat, actually I think it makes you lose fat easier…
Sangeeta Chaudhary | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
Thanks for the share.
Marius J | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
Yahoo! now I have an excuse for eating bacon
I am so happy. mmm…. Bacon…
Tiffany J L Alfonso | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
Tell it to PCRM and others who advocate veganism! I love that article – and bacon!
Shepta | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
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icyheat | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
nice share. I’m craving for bacon already.
ninjablade | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
Nice article. This is good because I LOVE bacon!
vivereque | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
We buy our bacon from the local Amish farm: killed and prepared on site. Delicious. Thanks for confirming my suspicion that bacon and eggs are wonder foods.
virdell1 | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
I love bacon and eat a few slices every couple of days along with REAL butter! I can’t stand margarine and if used in moderation, it can be very enjoyable without the worry of to much fat. It digests easier and quicker than margarine.
Excellent writing!!
LadyElena | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
Interesting…
margaridab | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
The pictures are great!
ShiningStar | Nov 2, 2010 | Reply
great share, thanks
Dee Gold | Nov 3, 2010 | Reply
I love bacon,glad it can be good.
thanks.
StarioshkaProkol | Nov 3, 2010 | Reply
Bacon and women :O
Jill Demby Guest | Nov 3, 2010 | Reply
You can’t imagine my relief! Thanks for this
Chris Stonecipher | Nov 3, 2010 | Reply
I love bacon! Now I have a good reason to eat more. Excellent work my friend. blessing, Chris
Jeff Powers | Nov 3, 2010 | Reply
You’re saying something that tastes good is healthy? You could get in a lot of trouble for that you know.:)
Leanna C. Rose | Nov 9, 2010 | Reply
I was thinking I could eat bacon again then I scrolled, and now those pitures will be for ever burned in my mind.
ItisRoss | Nov 10, 2010 | Reply
Love it. im likin it.
EricPinola | Nov 11, 2010 | Reply
BACON!!! I eat bacon sandwiches dripping in the bacon grease!!
Eric Pinola
jaimemragos | Dec 10, 2010 | Reply
Knowing through your article that bacon is good to health, I will regularly make it a part of my breakfast.
shakugan123 | Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
If my father in law read this he will be crazy. He believes that bacon is evil.
lowellhenderson | Dec 20, 2010 | Reply
I was sold on the first picture…God I love bacon.
leo604 | Dec 24, 2010 | Reply
i love bacon, but i love eat with a first photo
rhaka22 | Dec 26, 2010 | Reply
well written,I like it….
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Profit Buzz | Dec 29, 2010 | Reply
Honestly I was not looking at the bacon, you know what I mean
Wrath Warbone | Dec 31, 2010 | Reply
I like a BLT once in awhile for a treat, but with the crumby economy some eateries have started skimping on the amout of bacon they put on the sandwhich! No thanks! LOL.
s j tubrazy | Jan 6, 2011 | Reply
i love bacon
brownie1985 | Nov 18, 2012 | Reply
Liked the information on bacon and knowing now that it is good for us. I know what eat with it as well now that is health, since I struggle with high cholesterol. Thanks for a informative piece of writing such as bacon, one of my favorite breakfast delights.