Carrots and mushrooms can mimic the texture and flavor of pork bacon surprisingly well, and have a fraction of the fat. Few foods are as universally beloved as bacon. This pork product’s distinctly smoky and salty flavor and crispy texture make it a breakfast favorite, but it’s also popular […]
Click here to view original web page at www.everydayhealth.com
Few foods are as universally beloved as bacon. This pork product’s distinctly smoky and salty flavor and crispy texture make it a breakfast favorite, but it’s also popular on sandwiches, crumbled over salads, and wrapped around other foods.
Bacon is a type of salt-cured pork that is generally made from the belly of a pig, notes the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Unless otherwise noted, bacon is sold raw and must be cooked before it is eaten. Cooking, whether in a skillet on the stove or baked in the oven, gives this meat its distinctive crispy texture.
Unfortunately, bacon is one of the worst foods for your health. Data from the USDA shows that bacon is high in calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium. In fact, you’ll find 90 calories, 7 grams (g) fat, 2.8 g saturated fat, and 270 milligrams (mg) sodium in just two slices of cooked bacon. That amount contains more than one-fifth of the daily recommended limit for saturated fat, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Also, regular consumption of cured meat like bacon has been directly linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. In fact, a report from the World Health Organization (WHO) cites significant evidence that processed meat, like bacon, is carcinogenic (aka cancer-causing) in humans. That’s not good news for bacon lovers!
And bacon can have a negative impact on more than your health. It can also hit your wallet pretty hard these days. The U.S. Inflation Calculator estimates that the average price of standard, cured bacon is $6.24 per pound. Opt for higher-quality bacon or brands that contain no nitrates and you’ll pay even more. And a new law in California (which produces roughly 15 percent of the nation’s pork) threatens to drive prices even higher, notes the Los Angeles Times.
When you can’t “bring home the bacon” for health, financial, religious, or other reasons, you still have options. As it turns out, a number of foods, including vegetables, can be transformed into homemade bacon substitutes — and these recipes are both flavorful and surprisingly easy to prepare. There are even vegan and gluten-free options. Here are three recipes that are healthier and still satisfy that bacon craving.
