is peameal bacon healthy

Is Peameal Bacon Actually a Healthy Breakfast Option?

As someone who loves a hearty breakfast I’ve often wondered if peameal bacon is truly a healthier choice compared to regular bacon. Peameal bacon is quite popular in Canada where it’s known as Canadian bacon. But with its signature cornmeal coating, is it really better for you?

I decided to dig into the nutrition facts and health impacts of peameal bacon to find out if it deserves its reputation as a healthier breakfast meat. Keep reading for a detailed comparison of peameal bacon vs regular bacon.

What is Peameal Bacon?

First, let’s start with a quick overview of what exactly peameal bacon is. Peameal bacon goes by a few different names – back bacon and Canadian bacon are other common names for the same product.

It starts from a pork loin, which is the leaner, meatier portion of pork compared to belly fat-laden regular bacon. The pork loin is brined, smoked, and then rolled in cornmeal, giving peameal bacon its signature crusty coating.

Peameal bacon is often sliced thicker than regular bacon. It has a leaner, ham-like texture and is not as fatty as regular bacon. The cornmeal coating provides a crispy exterior when fried.

Nutrition Comparison

Now let’s compare the nutrition profiles of peameal bacon and regular bacon.

Fat Content

• Peameal bacon has substantially less fat than regular bacon. A 28g serving contains 3g of fat, with just 1g saturated fat.

• Regular bacon contains 9g of fat per 28g serving, with 3g saturated fat.

So peameal bacon is significantly leaner, with about 70% less total fat than regular bacon.

Sodium Content

• Peameal bacon contains 370mg of sodium per 28g serving.

• Regular bacon has 240mg sodium per 28g serving.

While peameal bacon is leaner, it does contain over 50% more sodium than regular bacon. This is likely due to the brining process.

Calories

• A 28g serving of peameal bacon has 60 calories.

• Regular bacon has 90 calories for a 28g serving.

Once again, peameal bacon’s lower fat content gives it the advantage when it comes to calories. You’ll get 30 fewer calories per serving with peameal bacon.

Micronutrients

Both peameal bacon and regular bacon are similar when it comes to micronutrients – neither offers much beyond a small amount of B vitamins. Peameal bacon does contain slightly more zinc and iron than regular bacon.

Potential Health Benefits of Peameal Bacon

The nutrition profile of peameal bacon indicates some potential health advantages:

• Much less saturated fat than regular bacon may help lower LDL cholesterol.

• Fewer calories can help with weight management.

• Contains more zinc and iron than regular bacon.

• Made from pork loin so it contains fewer inflammatory fats.

Potential Health Risks

There are also a few possible downsides to keep in mind:

• Higher sodium content could negatively impact blood pressure.

• Still contains saturated fat and should be eaten in moderation.

• Typically contains sodium nitrite as a preservative, which may have health risks.

As with any cured meat, peameal bacon is best enjoyed occasionally as part of an overall healthy diet. Those with high blood pressure or heart issues should be especially mindful of portion sizes.

The Verdict on Peameal Bacon and Health

When peameal bacon and regular bacon are compared side-by-side, peameal bacon does appear to be the healthier option, thanks to its significantly lower amounts of fat, saturated fat and calories.

The cornmeal coating gives peameal bacon a unique texture and flavor from regular bacon. However, the brining process increases its sodium content.

While peameal bacon makes for an infrequent treat, nutrition experts still recommend limiting intake of processed meats in general. For everyday breakfasts, lean proteins like eggs, Greek yogurt and nuts are healthier choices. But peameal bacon can be a better option than regular bacon when you are craving that salty, savory flavor.

How to Cook Peameal Bacon at Home

If you want to give peameal bacon a try, here are a few tips for cooking it at home:

• Choose quality peameal bacon at a local butcher shop or specialty market if you can. Mass-produced bacon may have more preservatives.

• Make sure to pat the peameal bacon dry before cooking to help it crisp up.

• Fry over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned and crispy at edges. Avoid overcooking.

• Bake on a parchment lined baking sheet at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

• Add some diced peameal bacon to omelets, breakfast burritos or strata for extra flavor.

• Use peameal bacon in sandwiches, wraps and burgers in place of regular bacon.

Keep in mind that peameal bacon likely still contains sodium nitrite like most cured meats, so intake should be limited. But overall, peameal bacon can be a tasty change from regular bacon when you need a breakfast meat fix!