American people think of Canadian bacon as being more like ham than regular bacon (via Kitchn). Its cut from a cured pork loin, which may or may not have been smoked. Canadian bacon is leaner than strip bacon, which comes from the fattier pork belly. Because Canadian bacon slices are round, they are the right size and shape for an egg Benedict or a breakfast sandwich.
Most Americans have never heard of peameal bacon, but we know about Canadian bacon. This is something that needs to be fixed. Canada has a long history of raising, processing, and curing pork. In fact, Food Network says that in the early 1900s, Toronto was home to the biggest pork plant in the whole British Empire. The plant, which was owned by William Davies, killed and processed about 500,000 pigs every year. It sent pork and bacon to the empire, which is why Toronto is known as “Hogtown.” Oola says that peameal bacon has been around since the early 1900s, and Davies is said to have created this tasty breakfast staple that is now common in Canadian homes.
Peameal bacon, also known as Canadian bacon, is a breakfast staple for many people. But there are conflicting opinions on whether this type of bacon is actually a healthy choice. As bacon lovers here at VeryMeaty, we decided to take a closer look at peameal bacon, its nutritional value, and how it compares to other breakfast meats. Keep reading to find out if peameal bacon deserves a place in your healthy diet!
What is Peameal Bacon?
First, let’s start with what exactly peameal bacon is. Peameal bacon is made from pork loin that has been brined in a salt solution. This curing process flavors the meat and preserves it. After brining, the pork loin is rolled in cornmeal, giving peameal bacon its signature texture and appearance. It has less fat than regular sliced bacon.
Peameal bacon is also known as Canadian bacon because it originated in Canada in the 1800s. But it has become popular in the United States as well, for dishes like the classic eggs Benedict
Nutrition Facts – Calories, Fat, and Sodium
Now let’s look at the nutrition facts of peameal bacon to understand its health profile
A 100 gram serving of peameal bacon contains about:
- 157 calories
- 7 grams of fat
- 904 mg of sodium
- 15 grams of protein
Compared to regular bacon, peameal bacon is lower in both calories and fat, making it seem like the healthier choice. However, peameal bacon is quite high in sodium due to the salt used to cure it. Eating too much sodium can increase blood pressure and heart disease risk.
Potential Health Benefits of Peameal Bacon
Despite being high in sodium, peameal bacon does have some health benefits that make it an appealing choice:
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High in protein – Great source of satiating protein to keep you full
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Lower in fat than regular bacon – Less unhealthy fats and calories.
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Source of important nutrients – Provides vitamins and minerals like B12, zinc, and iron.
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Contains less preservatives – Often uses natural curing methods.
So in moderation, peameal bacon can provide important nutrients as part of a balanced diet.
Potential Health Risks of Too Much Peameal Bacon
However, there are also some health risks that come with eating peameal bacon regularly:
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High sodium content – Can drive up blood pressure.
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Nitrates used for curing – Linked to increased cancer risk.
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Can still be high in fat – Portion control is important.
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Processed meat – Associated with heart disease and diabetes.
To mitigate these risks, peameal bacon is best consumed occasionally as part of an overall healthy diet, rather than every day.
Comparing Peameal Bacon to Other Breakfast Meats
How does peameal bacon stack up against other popular breakfast meats in terms of health? Here’s a quick comparison:
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More fat and calories than chicken sausage or ham.
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Higher in sodium than turkey bacon or lean ham.
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Lower in calories than pork sausage links.
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Less sodium and fat than regular bacon.
So peameal bacon lands somewhere in the middle – a healthier choice than regular bacon and sausage, but not as lean as turkey bacon or chicken sausage. For the best nutrition, mix up your breakfast meats.
Tips for Enjoying Peameal Bacon as Part of a Healthy Diet
If you don’t want to give up your peameal bacon completely, here are some tips to enjoy it more healthfully:
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Opt for uncured varieties without added nitrates.
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Eat only 1-2 slices max per serving.
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Balance with low sodium foods like fruit.
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Choose lower-fat cooking methods like baking instead of frying.
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Incorporate it into recipes instead of just eating it alone.
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Treat it as an occasional meal special treat rather than an everyday food.
The Verdict: Can Peameal Bacon Be Part of a Healthy Diet?
At the end of the day, incorporating a few servings of peameal bacon into your diet per week can be done healthfully by following smart portion and cooking practices. While not as lean as turkey bacon or chicken sausage, peameal bacon can add delicious flavor to your breakfast or sandwiches as an occasional treat. Just be mindful of your total dietary sodium intake. Moderation and balance is key to enjoying all your meaty favorites, even ones like peameal bacon!
What is peameal bacon?
Like regular Canadian bacon, peameal bacon comes from the pork loin (via Atlas Obscura). The pork loin is brined or cured and then rolled in cornmeal. This helps the cured pork loin stay dry and last longer. The name comes from the time when cured pork loin was rolled in ground dried peas instead of cornmeal, which is what it is done with now. North Country Smokehouse, located in New Hampshire, sells and ships their peameal bacon for U. S. consumers whod like to try it for themselves. It is said that the peameal bacon is “a center-cut pork loin soaked in our famous maple brine and rolled in cornmeal.” “.
Peameal bacon isnt typically smoked and before the pork loin is cured, its carefully trimmed, which Atlas Obscura explains makes the thinly sliced breakfast meat juicy and tender when its cooked, rather than crisp, like traditional strip bacon. And peameal bacon must be cooked before serving, according to Food Network, which recommends griddling the peameal bacon, noting that the pork can also be cooked by baking, barbecuing, or roasting.
What is Peameal Bacon? — Dining on a Dime Toronto
Is peameal bacon bad for You?
Another potential risk of consuming peameal bacon is the presence of nitrates. Nitrates are often added to processed meats as a preservative and to enhance color and flavor. However, they have been linked to an increased risk of cancer and other health issues.
How many calories are in a serving of peameal bacon?
Typical servings of peameal bacon, Canadian bacon, and strip bacon vary enormously in their nutritional values. A typical serving size of peameal bacon, according to Nutritionix, is two slices or about 85 grams. It provides 90 calories, three grams of fat, 640 milligrams of sodium, and 12 grams of protein.
Can you eat peameal bacon twice a week?
Cook until crispy and drain on paper towel to reduce your bacon’s fat content. Peameal bacon (100 grams, about two thick slices) has 157 calories, 904 milligrams of sodium, 1.7 grams of carbohydrates and seven grams of fat. The truth is that any of these are once a month choices, not twice a week options.
Is peameal bacon healthier than sausage?
Compared to regular bacon, peameal bacon is a healthier choice due to its lower fat and calorie content. Sausage, on the other hand, can be high in fat and calories, depending on the type and preparation method.