Keto Means
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch Pexels Logo Photo: Polina Tankilevitch

Is bacon The unhealthiest food?

“About 68% of the calories from bacon come from fat—and about half of those are from saturated fat—so it's definitely not the healthiest meat you can choose.” Bacon and other smoked, cured and processed meats are usually treated with nitrates or nitrites—chemical added to preserve shelf life and enhance color.

Can I get a cheat day on keto?
Can I get a cheat day on keto?

Can You Have a Cheat Day on Keto? Having a cheat day while you're on the keto diet will take you out of the state of ketosis, Fears says. “It can...

Read More »
What is the healthiest cottage cheese for weight loss?
What is the healthiest cottage cheese for weight loss?

The best cottage cheese for fat loss is that which is made not from full-cream milk, but from low-fat milk. Also, cow milk contains high quantities...

Read More »

America’s inventory of frozen pork belly—which food manufacturers use to make bacon—is at its lowest point in 50 years, according to a recent USDA report. This, combined with news from the Ohio Pork Council that demand is outpacing supply, sent the Internet into a frenzy: Is there a bacon shortage on the horizon?

Industry experts say no. According to the New York Times, there’s little chance that restaurants and grocery stores start rationing the sizzling slices anytime soon. Still, this may be a good time for a reminder about why it’s a good idea to cut back. Four slices thick-cut bacon have about 240 calories. They also contain eight grams of saturated fat and 880 mg of sodium—about 40% of your government-recommended daily values. Get our Health Newsletter. Sign up to receive the latest health and science news, plus answers to wellness questions and expert tips. Please enter a valid email address. * The request timed out and you did not successfully sign up. Please attempt to sign up again. Sign Up Now An unexpected error has occurred with your sign up. Please try again later. Check here if you would like to receive subscription offers and other promotions via email from TIME group companies. You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy Thank you! For your security, we've sent a confirmation email to the address you entered. Click the link to confirm your subscription and begin receiving our newsletters. If you don't get the confirmation within 10 minutes, please check your spam folder. “The reason we recommend a limit on sodium is because it’s associated with a risk of high blood pressure as well as stroke,” says Lisa Cimperman, a registered dietitian at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. The health effects of eating saturated fat are less clear, “but what we do know is that diets high in saturated fat have been associated with an increased risk of heart disease,” she adds. “About 68% of the calories from bacon come from fat—and about half of those are from saturated fat—so it’s definitely not the healthiest meat you can choose.” Bacon and other smoked, cured and processed meats are usually treated with nitrates or nitrites—chemical added to preserve shelf life and enhance color. Diets high in processed meats have been linked to chronic health conditions including migraines, asthma, heart failure, kidney disease and several types of cancer. Most notably, a 2015 study from the World Health Organization found that every daily portion (about 2 ounces) of processed meat raises colorectal cancer risk by 18%. While the study was unable to determine exactly why this link exists, scientists suspect that nitrates and nitrites are at least partially to blame.

Which is healthier cottage cheese or eggs?
Which is healthier cottage cheese or eggs?

Cottage cheese contains more protein than two eggs. And that's just the protein in a personal-size cup of the stuff (5.3 oz)—in that size, those...

Read More »
How do you detox after a cheat day?
How do you detox after a cheat day?

Drink lots of water. Drinking water is the best way to flush toxins out of vital organs. ... Start exercising. ... Consume probiotics. ... Add...

Read More »

Even bacon labeled as “uncured” or “no nitrate or nitrite added” can still contain high levels of these potentially harmful chemicals, says Guy Crosby, an adjunct associate professor of nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. These products are often treated with celery juice or celery powder, he says, which naturally contain high levels of nitrates. Because of these potential risks, the American Institute for Cancer Research recommends eating no more than 18 ounces of red meat per week. Crosby’s advice when it comes to bacon is the same: “All things in moderation.” If you’re preparing bacon yourself, says Cimperman, you can reduce its fat content by cooking it in the microwave (on a paper towel, to absorb grease) or baking it in the oven (on a rack that lets fat drip off), rather than frying it in a pan. You might also consider substituting less fatty cuts of pork, like Canadian bacon. But beware of bacon replacements. Turkey bacon, for example, is still processed and high in sodium. “Because of the perception that it’s healthier, people tend to eat more of it,” Cimperman says. On a more optimistic note, Cimperman says it’s important to put the WHO’s 18% statistic into perspective: “We’re talking about relative risk,” she says. “That means that, for a healthy person, eating bacon every day will raise their overall risk of colon cancer from something like 5% to 6%.” “Certainly bacon is not a health food, and I don’t advise consuming it on a daily basis,” she says. “But if you eat a couple strips of bacon at brunch on the weekend, I don’t think it’s going to present a significant health risk—as long as your overall diet is sensible and healthy.”

Contact us at letters@time.com.

Should you sit or stand when wiping?
Should you sit or stand when wiping?

Should you wipe standing up? In terms of cleanliness, it's a bit of a matter of personal preference. However you feel cleanest is likely ideal,...

Read More »
What are the top 10 foods on keto?
What are the top 10 foods on keto?

Top 10 Foods for the Ketogenic Diet Olives and Olive Oil. ... Meat, Poultry, and Seafood. ... High Fat Dairy (Cheese, Butter, and Cream) ... Dark...

Read More »
How can I lose 2 pounds a week on keto?
How can I lose 2 pounds a week on keto?

If you are losing 1 to 2 pounds per week, there is no need to implement the suggestions found in this article. Track Your Calories. ... Recalculate...

Read More »
Does keto burn fat without exercise?
Does keto burn fat without exercise?

Keto diets definitely work without exercise. In fact, many personal trainers and nutritionist would not recommend the keto diet if you were about...

Read More »