None.
No really, there is no beneficial healthful reason to ever pick bacon as the main protein source of a meal. In fact, the high sodium, high nitrate levels and high chloride levels in commercially available bacon make it nearly impossible to justify as a flavor enhancer. The simple fact is that bacon is not good for you and there are dozens of other cuts of meat that are far more beneficial to you than bacon.
All of that being said, bacon is not terribly bad for you in moderation or as a minor flavor enhancer. According to some pro-bacon websites, this stretch of cured pork back-fat is actually high in Thiamine (B1), Niacin (B3), Cyancobalamin (B12), Zinc, Phosphorous, Magnesium, and Riboflavin (B2). Of course, all of these can be found in higher concentrate in most other meats and are also available in any decent water-soluble multivitamin or Activated B-Complex supplement. And, of course, you cannot microwave the bacon because some of these will leach during the irradiation, so convenient bacon is out. You also cannot burn the bacon because then most of the vitamins will be gone and replaced by harmful carcinogens, so crispy bacon is out. It’s also a good idea to avoid pre-cooked bacon as the process and preservatives make both pre-cooked strips and bacon bits basically salty, nitrate crusted jerky sticks/flakes, so store-bought bacon is out. This leaves cooking bacon in a 400 degree oven, for 8-10 minutes per side.
So, bacon is not all bad. It can be used in moderation for the good of flavor in some dishes. Just remember no to burn, char, microwave, buy pre-cooked or eat more than a daily allowance in order to not have it be terribly unhealthy for you. A daily allowance of bacon is basically none considering that one strip is about 68% saturated fat, 30 mg of cholesterol, 190mg of sodium, and has been shown to lower men’s sperm counts. But, it sure does go well with eggs, burgers, scallops and filet mignon.
I am not here to tell you not to eat bacon. But it is not clean at all. I suggest substituting any bacon in a recipe you come across with chopped chicken or chopped turkey ounce for ounce. You would be surprised how good that can taste. We are all adults and you can do whatever you want, I won’t stop you.
But, don’t eat bacon.
The Healthy Us 