Ode to Pork Belly

               

Bacon is amazing, for several different reasons. Bacon is full of saturated and monounsaturated fats as well as protein.  One medium slice contains: 43.3 calories, 70% from fat, 29% from protein, and a measly 1% from carbs. Many people think that bacon is bad because of the fat, but it actually contains a good bit of monounsaturated fat (the same “heart-healthy” fat in olive oil). I was a little surprised to find out that bacon has more monounsaturated fat than saturated fat in it. (1.5g monounsaturated vs. 1.1g saturated). I view bacon as a healthy source of fat and protein, perfect for a whole food, primal or traditional diet. Some other complaints about bacon are the sodium content, the sugar content, and the nitrates it’s cured with. 

Sodium content: I really don’t care about because 1.) I don’t have high blood pressure 2.) I believe eating potassium rich foods is more important than eating a low-sodium diet, and 3.) I don’t eat processed foods which is where most American’s get their “excessive” sodium. 

Sugar content: Pretty much all bacon is cured with sugar of some form. I discovered you can order “sugar-free” bacon online, but it’s pretty pricey. Since I also limit my sugar intake from other sources I don’t feel that the tiny bit of sugar I may be consuming with my bacon is of any importance.

Nitrates: I have to admit that I don’t know a whole lot about nitrates, but my mom has researched it and is adamant about not buying any meats cured with them. For now I trust my mom and her judgment on this one, so all the bacon I buy is organic and nitrate free, (I don’t know if you even can buy organic bacon that isn’t nitrate free…). In the future I may have to look into nitrates and see what they do to the human body. 

I’ve been enjoying in a bunch of tasty things, and I find the fat to make incredible mayo. I’ve had fun making all sorts of bacon-y creations. 

 The 4lbs of bacon I recently cooked up. 

 As you can see cooking bacon can be messy, I took precautions to move all the random junk off the adjacent counters.

Bacon Ranch Dressing, the most amazing dressing ever. I used a base of bacon mayo and then added in buttermilk and herbs-yum!

Bacon Broccoli Salad made with lightly cooked broccoli, apples, walnuts, and bacon all tossed in a sweet and tangy bacon mayo dressing. If I didn't have self control I would have eaten the whole bowl.

A loaded salad I made using bacon, tomatoes, avocado, my bacon ranch, and a bit of cheese.