Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Don't get me wrong, I love the taste of bacon when it is crisp. But it is also processed, with questionable additives, besides salt of course. My family, because of me, gets back bacon which we slice thinly and cook in coconut oil. But it still has non-paleo additives, some of which (e.g. sodium nitrite and 'smoke') which leave me wondering what I am doing. I've wondered about this for some time...so if anyone can help out with my confusion, I'd be grateful.

flag	asked Aug 21 2011 at 16:01 Aili 735●1●10

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Wait -- you fry bacon in coconut oil?? Why not just put it in the pan and let it fry in its own grease? – bettyrocker Aug 21 2011 at 17:12

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bettyrocker - backbacon is not the same as streaky bacon we have here in the US. Backbacon is similar to what they call "Canadian Bacon" in the US. It doesn't really have it's own grease. – Joshua Aug 22 2011 at 13:19

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Bettyrocker- I fry it in coconut oil because back bacon is quite lean. – Aili Aug 22 2011 at 13:46

Karen · Answer 1 · 2011-08-21 16:19:10Z UTC

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It is quite possible to get quality bacon from pastured pigs, without the usual additives. There is great bacon from some of the pastured pig farmers at my farmers market. Applegate Farms also sells some decent bacon in many grocery stores. AFAIK, this kind of bacon is what folks here eat.

I suspect some of the bacon fetish is just because it's been a "forbidden food" for so long. IMO, it's still not ideal, but quality bacon is not bad either. I sure wouldn't make it a major part of my diet, but it's a lovely flavoring. Just be sure to get the good stuff.

answered Aug 21 2011 at 16:19

Karen
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I live in Saskatchewan and cannot find the type of bacon of which you speak. I recall as a child that on my granny's farm (organic) we ate salt pork that was sliced thinly and fried to a crispy consistency. Mmmmm! Unfortunately, even though I live in an agricultural province, the quality of which you speak is not readily available. Thanks! – Aili Aug 21 2011 at 16:34

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I agree with the "forbidden food" thing. I think we really enjoy throwing it up in CW's face. It's sort of the symbol of our resistance. Bacon is demonized for being high fat and we happen to like high fat. "Everyone" knows and understands bacon. It's the perfect icon for everything that is wrong with CW. – Shari Bambino Aug 21 2011 at 16:35

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@Aili - I live in Alberta and have no problem finding great pasture fed beef & pork. Here is a link that may help you, Saskatchewan is near the bottom of the page: eatwild.com/products/canada.html – Josh M Aug 21 2011 at 18:26

Josh M-Thank you for this. much appreciated – Aili Aug 22 2011 at 13:50

Rose · Answer 2 · 2011-08-21 17:02:29Z UTC

If you love bacon and don't like the additives, make your own. It's easy and fun, and only requires a shelf in your refrigerator for a week or so. Made without smoke flavoring or even without nitrates, if those worry you (they occur naturally in many foods, even supposedly nitrate-free foods).

(I've posted this in so many threads I'm beginning to feel like a shill for my own bacon, lol. Good thing I don't sell it, or I'd be kicked off PaleoHacks for sure.)

Bread-Eating Beelzebub · Answer 3 · 2011-08-21 16:51:07Z UTC

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It's a debate that has been had on paleo blogs. Here are some of the pros and cons, others can edit this list if they know of other posts:

Against bacon:

Whole9

For bacon:

Balanced Bites

Cave Girl Eats

edited Aug 21 2011 at 16:51

Bread-Eating Beelzebub

community wiki

2 revisions

another one cavegirleats.com/2011/05/24/… – 77Pat Aug 21 2011 at 16:28

much appreciated – Aili Aug 21 2011 at 16:30

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Great links! I tend to agree with the Whole9 position. I had my fling with bacon and then I let it go. I think it's a great gateway drug to paleo but not sure it's the best food to eat everyday. Well I think there are far better choices. Great treat but not something to make a staple in the diet. – Shari Bambino Aug 21 2011 at 16:39

anyone else just lose the taste for it? I like it as a flavoring on salads, but otherwise I just don't crave it. – Bread-Eating Beelzebub Aug 21 2011 at 16:51

And Stephan Guyenet and Dr. Harris both pooh-pooh the idea that nitrates are bad for you. Not sure I agree with their cavalier approach but that's their attitude. – patrick3000 Aug 21 2011 at 18:12

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BuzzingAsh · Answer 4 · 2011-08-21 16:54:43Z UTC

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I get nitrate free bacon without bad additives from trader joe's. A whole foods store is probably great too. Hope this helps! :)

answered Aug 21 2011 at 16:54

BuzzingAsh
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I agree and recommend the thicker more expensive TJ bacon as a better value. More meat per $ and easier to cook on the stove. – Don Aug 21 2011 at 19:39

Amberlie · Answer 5 · 2011-08-21 17:10:35Z UTC

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bacon is basically the only reason I didn't give up paleo ( besides all that other stuff like energy and toning up. I realllllly liked my croissants and ice cream)

answered Aug 21 2011 at 17:10

Amberlie
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I still eat ice cream... I try to get the fattest vanilla with least sugar and then add sauce from 80% dark chocolate and full cream (just microwave for 20s and stir). Lovely and the fats keep the blood sugar from spiking too much. You can also make great ice-cream from coconut milk and dark chocolate - just melt together and drop it in the ice maker. – wmertens Aug 22 2011 at 5:31

homemade coconut ice cream - nomnomnomnomnom – Karen Aug 22 2011 at 11:15

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homemade coconut BACON ice cream? hmmmmmmm – Karen Aug 22 2011 at 11:16

David Csonka · Answer 6 · 2011-08-21 17:11:42Z UTC

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Well, it tastes really damn good and is incredibly satisfying. I use to eat tons of it.

I don't really eat bacon at all now, but that is mainly because I currently can't afford to source the really high quality, compassionately prepared stuff.

answered Aug 21 2011 at 17:11

David Csonka
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Ha! I am so sorry for laughing, but compassionately prepared would mean exactly what to Grok? – Keto-jen Feb 27 2012 at 2:39

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There are plenty of accounts of traditional cultures and native populations approaching their animal food sources with a sense of humility and reverence. That is much more enlightening to me than some made-up abstract concept like "Grok". – David Csonka Feb 27 2012 at 3:29

Jan · Answer 7 · 2011-08-21 18:17:36Z UTC

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Its convient, but mostly not optimal. I dont eat bacon cause i cant source good bacon. I rather fry some lamb hearts and kidneys for breakfast, with bone marrow or chop up a whole cooconut.

answered Aug 21 2011 at 18:17

Jan
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BaconHealsChic · Answer 8 · 2011-08-22 03:46:17Z UTC

I think bacon acts as a bridge for a lot of people starting out on paleo. In my first days I did not reach for organ meats and coconut milk. It took awhile to incorporate other important parts. Bacon is easy and most everybody likes it.

Why do so many people list bacon as a good food in paleo eating?

8 Answers