What to look for in bacon

[Tricon7]

I understand that some bacon ingredients aren't allowed. What should I watch out for in bacon to avoid when buying? I love bacon, so I want to be able to eat some, even on Induction. Thanks.

[Miss Phode]

Re: What to look for in bacon

The "book" says no nitrates, but honestly I think most members on this board ignore that advice. That being said, look at the ingredients. You want bacon that has no sign or traces of sugar, including maple syrup, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, glucose, etc. I buy "no sugar added" bacon from Publix. It's a Publix brand.

[mustang802]

Re: What to look for in bacon

I was wondering the same thing. I have read that the bacon you choose should be nitrate free. I cannot find bacon anywhere that does not have "nitrite" in the ingredient list. I am assuming that "nitrite" and "nitrate" are one and the same.

[Georgiana]

Re: What to look for in bacon

I am assuming that "nitrite" and "nitrate" are one and the same.

Nope, the difference is one oxygen atom. In an alkaline medium, nitrates (NO3-) can be reduced to nitrites (NO2-), and only nitrites will then bind to iron and form methemoglobin (like hemoglobin, but unable to carry oxygen).

[JulieB]

Re: What to look for in bacon

Nope, the difference is one oxygen atom. In an alkaline medium, nitrates (NO3-) can be reduced to nitrites (NO2-), and only nitrites will then bind to iron and form methemoglobin (like hemoglobin, but unable to carry oxygen).

So...Nitrite OK, Nitrate bad?

[Georgiana]

Re: What to look for in bacon

So...Nitrite OK, Nitrate bad?

No, they are both bad. Nitrite is the big bad guy... the one that reacts with the iron in hemoglobin. Nitrate can only be reduced to nitrite under certain pH conditions, but since you don't really know what the pH is in your intestine... better avoid it all-together.

[Tricon7]

Re: What to look for in bacon

No, they are both bad. Nitrite is the big bad guy... the one that reacts with the iron in hemoglobin. Nitrate can only be reduced to nitrite under certain pH conditions, but since you don't really know what the pH is in your intestine... better avoid it all-together.

That just ain't happenin'. A few nitrates aren't going to derail your entire, faithfully-kept Atkins diet. Just like I'm not going to go on a pure water-only diet (all other liquid is evil) just because it happens to be what everyone else is saying.

I understand the need to stick to a diet and follow its plan, but there does come a point where setting rules (and not necessarily Atkins rules) become so strict that no one can/wants to follow it anymore.

Most of the people who post here have really good advice, but I've noticed that there do exist extreme points of view here, too. I guess it's the nature of public forums.

[mustang802]

Re: What to look for in bacon

I have to agree with Tricon to a degree. Bacon is on the list of Acceptable Foods but I have not had any luck finding bacon without nitrites (I'm in Canada). Yet now we are being told bacon is a no-no with nitrites.

[liv]

Re: What to look for in bacon

Atkins was concerned about health not just weight and research has suggested a link between these and cancer which is why he suggest avoiding the products. So in that sense I guess the choice is yours. It will not affect the Atkins process as such.

[Georgiana]

Re: What to look for in bacon

That just ain't happenin'. A few nitrates aren't going to derail your entire, faithfully-kept Atkins diet. Just like I'm not going to go on a pure water-only diet (all other liquid is evil) just because it happens to be what everyone else is saying.

I understand the need to stick to a diet and follow its plan, but there does come a point where setting rules (and not necessarily Atkins rules) become so strict that no one can/wants to follow it anymore.

Most of the people who post here have really good advice, but I've noticed that there do exist extreme points of view here, too. I guess it's the nature of public forums.

I have to agree with Tricon to a degree. Bacon is on the list of Acceptable Foods but I have not had any luck finding bacon without nitrites (I'm in Canada). Yet now we are being told bacon is a no-no with nitrites.

You are both correct. Nitrites/nitrates should not derail the weight loss results of most people. The reason why Dr. Atkins wrote one should avoid them is because "they are known carcinogens". Bacon is indeed on the Induction Acceptable Food List, but there is a footnote on page 124 that says:

Try to avoid meat and fish products cured with nitrates, which are known carcinogens.

So no one said they are a "no-no". You have the knowledge and, since it's your health, I believe the rest is a personal choice.

[mustang802]

Re: What to look for in bacon

Thank you Georiana,
I am so focused at reaching my goal here that unless I know that something I consumme is 100% safe, I put it on my personal "no no " list. I never mean't to imply that it was an Atkins "no-no".
I would rather be safe than sorry, especially at this point when I am still learning. When I have a little more confidence in my decisions and how they will affect my goals, I will probably be a little less strict with myself.
Thanks again!!!
Cheryl

[Slapshot]

Re: What to look for in bacon

I am one of the bigger "nitrite/nitrate" nuts on the board, so I'll chime in. As a friend of mine who recovered from cancer said when I asked him about nitrites/nitrates and the Atkins Diet, "Well, cancer was kind of slimming for me, so have at it!" (With a sense of humor like that, now you know why he's a friend of mine....)

Of course, this doesn't mean that eating hot dogs or lunchmeat will give you cancer, but my point is that if I have a knowing choice between putting food A or B in my mouth, and it's a little extra effort/money to get A (because Dr. Atkins said to avoid B), then I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and follow his advice since following his advice on other things is working for me so far.

[brightstar7801]

Re: What to look for in bacon

Oscar Meyer makes a nitrate/nitrite free bacon. It's not cheap though in regular grocery stores you're talking about 5 bucks a pop.

[Chihuahua Luvin Gurl]

Re: What to look for in bacon

We went to 3 different stores looking for sugar free / nitrate free bacon. We didn't ever notice the difference in spellings! Anyway, we FINALLY were able to find a sugar free bacon, but its got Nitrites. So, after these several packs are gone I guess our search will continue. We were thrilled to find one with no darn sugar, its like every bacon maker has to include sugar! Ah well, we are still learning!

[mitzimarie]

Re: What to look for in bacon

Oscar Meyer makes a nitrate/nitrite free bacon. It's not cheap though in regular grocery stores you're talking about 5 bucks a pop.

Well... it doesn't have nitrate/nitrites, but it does have sugar:

OSCAR MAYER BACON - BACON - NATURAL SMOKED UNCURED

Ingredients: PORK, WATER, SEA SALT, EVAPORATED CANE JUICE, CELERY POWDER, LACTIC ACID STARTER CULTURE.
Size: 12 OZ
Upc: 4470002263

Evaporated cane juice is sugar.

This has been my experience - you can find bacon with either no nitrate/nitrites or no sugar... never both. I have looked everywhere; even the huge Whole Foods Market in town does not have one with both no sugar and no nitrate/nitrites. So I opt to make bacon an occasional treat, and go for the no sugar. I have found a very inexpensive brand of no sugar bacon called Gwaltney at Walmart.