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]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by mustang802

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]

Originally Posted by Georgiana

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]

Originally Posted by JulieB

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]

Originally Posted by Georgiana

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]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by Tricon7

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.

Originally Posted by mustang802

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.