is scrapple healthier than bacon

Scrapple vs Bacon: Which Breakfast Meat is Healthier?

As someone who loves a hearty breakfast, I’m always weighing my options when it comes to popular breakfast meats like bacon and scrapple. While bacon may be the more well-known choice, scrapple is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dish that offers its own unique flavor and nutritional profile. But when it comes to nutrition, is scrapple actually healthier than bacon?

I decided to dig into the facts on scrapple and bacon to find out which one delivers more health benefits Keep reading for a side-by-side comparison of nutrition, ingredients, health impacts, and more to determine if scrapple should replace bacon on your breakfast plate.

Introducing Scrapple

For those unfamiliar, scrapple is a meat loaf made from pork scraps and trimmings combined with cornmeal, buckwheat flour, spices and broth The meat used can include organ meats like liver, heart, and tongue

After the ingredients are combined and chilled into a loaf, scrapple is then sliced and pan-fried before eating. It has a crisp, golden outer layer encasing a soft, savory interior with a unique spicy flavor.

Scrapple originated in Germany as a way to avoid wasting scrap meat and has been popular for centuries in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. It’s often considered a specialty food of Pennsylvania Dutch country.

Nutrition Comparison

Now let’s compare the nutritional profiles of scrapple and bacon.

A 2-ounce serving of pan-fried scrapple contains approximately:

• 130 calories
• 9g fat
• 3g saturated fat
• 5g protein
• 0.72mg iron

An equivalent serving of pan-fried bacon contains approximately:

• 120 calories
• 9g fat
• 3.8g saturated fat
• 5g protein
• 0.09mg iron

Looking at these nutrition facts, we can see scrapple and bacon are fairly comparable in calories, total fat, protein and iron content. However, bacon contains more saturated fat per serving compared to scrapple.

Sodium is another major nutritional factor to consider. According to The Dialectic, scrapple contains 225% less sodium per serving than bacon. Excess sodium intake is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, so scrapple would be the better choice in this department.

Additionally, the organ meats used in scrapple provide essential nutrients like vitamin A, selenium, vitamin B2, and vitamin B3. Bacon does not supply these added nutritional benefits.

Potential Health Benefits

The unique nutritional profile of scrapple may offer some potential health advantages:

• High in vitamin A – important for vision, bone and skin health. A serving of scrapple provides 40% of the recommended daily vitamin A intake.

• Good source of selenium – helps prevent cell damage and supports thyroid function.

• Contains B vitamins – help maintain healthy skin, nerves, and blood cells.

• Less sodium than bacon – can help reduce risk of heart disease and stroke.

• Organ meats provide extra nutrition – kidneys, liver, and heart supply vitamins and minerals.

While scrapple is high in saturated fat, its lower sodium content compared to bacon may make it a marginally better choice for heart health according to some nutrition experts. However, both meats should be eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Potential Health Risks

There are some possible downsides to keep in mind with scrapple consumption:

• High in saturated fat – scrapple contains 3g of saturated fat per serving, which can raise cholesterol levels.

• May contain preservatives like nitrates – these are linked to increased cancer risk in some studies.

• Can be high in sodium if not homemade – store-bought varieties average about 600mg sodium per serving.

• Contains organ meats – some people prefer to avoid kidneys, livers, etc. for personal reasons.

As with any processed meat, it’s best to enjoy scrapple in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet and lifestyle. Pregnant women may also want to exercise additional caution.

Taste and Texture Differences

When it comes to taste and texture, scrapple and bacon offer vastly different experiences:

• Bacon has a signature smoky, salty, umami flavor. It has a crisp and fatty texture when pan-fried.

• Scrapple has a more savory, spicy taste with hints of sage, pepper, and rosemary. It has a denser, grainier texture than bacon.

• Bacon works well in both sweet and savory dishes. Scrapple is more suited to savory breakfasts and sandwiches.

• Bacon can be eaten on its own, while scrapple is best when served with eggs, toast or potatoes.

So in terms of flavor and use in recipes, bacon and scrapple both have their merits depending on personal taste preferences.

How to Cook Scrapple at Home

If you want to give scrapple a try, here are some tips for cooking it at home:

• Purchase pre-sliced scrapple from a supermarket, or try making your own from scratch using cornmeal, pork scraps, and spices.

• Pan-fry slices for 4-5 minutes per side in butter or oil until crisp on the outside. Avoid overcooking, as it can dry out.

• Top scrambled eggs, hash browns or toast with pan-fried scrapple for a hearty breakfast.

• Make a breakfast sandwich with eggs, cheese and fried scrapple on an English muffin or biscuit.

• For dinner, pair seared scrapple with roasted veggies and mashed potatoes.

• Use leftover scrapple slices to make unique sandwiches or subs.

Cooking your own scrapple allows you to control the ingredients and sodium content. Be sure to use a spatula to carefully flip the delicate slices while frying.

The Verdict: Is Scrapple Healthier Than Bacon?

After reviewing all the nutritional details, health impacts, and culinary differences between scrapple and bacon, the verdict is in.

For those monitoring sodium intake, cholesterol levels, or overall heart health, scrapple does appear to be the healthier choice over bacon. It contains significantly less sodium per serving and more beneficial vitamins from organ meats.

However, for those simply judging by taste preference, bacon remains tough to beat for many breakfast fans. Its iconic flavor, crispy texture, and versatility in recipes keeps it a staple morning meat.

In the end, incorporating either meat in moderation as part of a balanced diet is key for optimal health. But if you’re looking for a lower-sodium alternative with some nutritional advantages, consider giving scrapple a try! It provides a nice change of pace from regular bacon that highlights different flavors and textures.

So don’t be afraid to switch up your morning routine once in awhile. Your taste buds and your heart will thank you!