Why limit bacon?

[lilroten]

In this post Want to go past goal-stuck A_N says to limit bacon to 2 slices 3x a week. I was wondering why?

Thanks.

[Lisa Rae]

High sodium? nitrates? water retention? all the above?

Just guessing here mind you..

[Ceze]

There are some people that seem to do well on Atkins eating a serving of bacon everyday. I have wondered too why this limit was set. Is it a recent change? I don't remember hearing this number before. It seems like something that could be individualized rather than needing a set limit. I'm curious to hear from A_N.

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

Lisa is correct. But, processed meats, many times, do contain small amounts of sugar. You will see this written in the ingredients listed on the label.

It is not required to list sugar or carbs on a label if the amount is less than 1 gram. For example, if the product contains .9 grams of sugar or carbs and you eat 4 servings you actually get 3.6 grams of carbs.

This is why it is important to read labels, especially the ingredients in a product.

[Ceze]

I can understand the need to read labels and count carbs accurately but I'm still wondering why there is the specific limit of 2 slices 3 times a week. There are a few times I am on the road for a long period of time for work and bacon is an easy thing to grab. If I count the carbs/sodium and don't have problems with water retention, is it necessary to limit bacon?

[lilroten]

Originally posted by Atkins_Nutritionist
But, processed meats, many times, do contain small amounts of sugar. You will see this written in the ingredients listed on the label.

My bacon is sugar free. Sugar is not listed in the ingredients. Would you still suggest to limit bacon?

edited to add: I drink plenty of water. I don't think sodium in bacon has really been a problem for me. I had been eating 3-4 thin slices a day until I read about limiting to 2 slices 3x a week.

[kdog41]

Originally posted by Atkins_Nutritionist
It is not required to list sugar or carbs on a label if the amount is less than 1 gram.

I don't mean to contradict you but my understanding of the FDA guidelines is a product cannot state 0 on the label unless it has less than .5 grams. From .5 to .9 it can state <1. This is from Code of Federal Regulations
[Title 21, Volume 2] Section 101.9
Here is an excerpt from the following link.

http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/CFR101-9.HTML

(6) ``Carbohydrate, total'' or ``Total carbohydrate'': A statement
of the number of grams of total carbohydrate in a serving expressed to
the nearest gram, except that if a serving contains less than 1 gram,
the statement ``Contains less than 1 gram'' or ``less than 1 gram'' may
be used as an alternative, or if the serving contains less than 0.5
gram, the content may be expressed as zero. Total carbohydrate content
shall be calculated by subtraction of the sum of the crude protein,
total fat, moisture, and ash from the total weight of the food. This
calculation method is described in A. L. Merrill and B. K. Watt,
``Energy Value of Foods--Basis and Derivation,'' USDA Handbook 74
(slightly revised 1973) pp. 2 and 3, which is incorporated by reference
in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 (the availability
of this incorporation by reference is given in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(A) of
this section).
(ii) ``Sugars'': A statement of the number of grams of sugars in a
serving, except that label declaration of sugars content is not required
for products that contain less than 1 gram of sugars in a serving if no
claims are made about sweeteners, sugars, or sugar alcohol content.
Except as provided for in paragraph (f) of this section, if a statement
of the sugars content is not required and, as a result, not declared,
the statement ``Not a significant source of sugars'' shall be placed at
the bottom of the table of nutrient values in the same type size. Sugars
shall be defined as the sum of all free mono- and disaccharides (such as
glucose, fructose, lactose, and sucrose). Sugars content shall be
indented and expressed to the nearest gram, except that if a serving
contains less than 1 gram, the statement ``Contains less then 1 gram''
or ``less than 1 gram'' may be used as an alternative, and if the
serving contains less than 0.5 gram, the content may be expressed as
zero.

[Kimmer]

It was my interpretation that the AN placed a limit because they are posturing to get away from the "eat all the bacon you want" stereotype of Atkins.

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

Thank you for the specificaton Kdog, Kimmer is right, I was just using a sample number. I apologize.

The point is to always check the ingredient list.

Another reason you may want to avoid bacon is to see if the sodium is effecting the scale.

Otherwise, you would not have to limt bacon.

Let me also say that sometimes certan things have no scientific explanation. It is just something that works in clinical practice and we suggest to others.

Sometimes it works and other times it does not!

Trial and error is an important tool to use for losing weight.

[MAMZELLE]

I thought they have to add sugar at least in the INGREDIENT list below, even if it's under .05 or .06 and listed as 0 next to sugar in the upper nutrition listing, if there is ANY at all. I've seen many listed as SUGAR...0 but nevertheless, listing sugar in the ingredients. That would be a very detrimental health risk for diabetics to say 0 and also leave it out of the ingredients as well... if there is any [although I always call companies to ask to make sure, but not all people do].

The fabulous bacon I use says NO SUGAR prominanty on the front label, and sugar...0 in the nutrition listing and there also is NO sugar in the ingredient listing either. Can I trust that there's none? I didn't ask them about that and just assumed that if in all three places NO sugar is both specifically addressed and not listed on the label that I didn't have to make a 'call' about it, [perhaps I'm wrong?] but I did call about nitrates...

Is there a difference in nitrates and sodium nitrates? Well this dummie forgot about the nitrates when so thrilled to find a nice thick bacon, that was low salt and not cured with sugar, but I later called about nitrates and it has sodium nitrates..... the BEST bacon I've ever tasted, real thick substantial premium quality and never had anything so good
and low salt too. After FIRST reading this thread long ago, I did limit to two per day [ok... ONLY when I felt like it lol and only when I didn't really need more but made a little more conscious effort] for the rest of my supply of 'this' particular bacon [hate to tell you how much that is since I buy EVERYTHING in bulk and freeze]....but I still don't eat it ONLY 3 times a week, merely went down to only two strips per day if I'm having any. Got too use to it being one of my staples on 'old' atkins.

Also.... i sometimes sneak a piece raw when getting it out to prepare to cook [in fact just now again with all this bacon talk while waiting for my chicken to broil :-(...... and wondering if that's dangerous. Is it not advisable to do that [raw?].... and if not... why? I thought all things are better raw, even fats? Well even if not good for us, is it VERY bad, enough to not be able to get away with it. [gross sounding to 'some' i'm sure, but also sure.... not to 'all' :-)

One more thing.. I've left this question three or 4 times on different appropriate threads and can't seem to get an answer about Smart Balance [and also can't believe it's not butter]. My mother was advised to use that [being diabetic] by all her LOW CARB advocate medical attendents from the doctor on down, and I've also used either of the two that have no trans fats, for years longer...never really considering it a ''margerine''. Is it 'allowed'? I use mostly olive oil but some things do need the taste of butter and need to know if it's 'atkins-safe' just so I can go through what's still in the freezer..... LOTS, then I'll switch to butter, but until then?

[Hate to keep mentioning my mother, but she's the only 'diabetic' berometer and reference that I have and she's had diabetes all my life, and took the best care of herself, so I have to compare things to what she practiced, then her medical team FOR her as I took care of her the last two years of her life.... so forgive me, I know it's tiresome ...to me too as I write it.]

[MAMZELLE]

I wrote a post to the person who can't have eggs without chocolates afterwards [SF] and lost the window where to paste it lol Anyone know the title of that thread, I'm not finding it in the Q&A index, there's nothing under chocolates or eggs in search either that's 'hers'. Anyone else read it and remember the title? The comment was pretty unique so thought someone might remember it. :-) No big deal, just that I wrote it, so might as well post it.

[Catheryn]

Originally posted by MAMZELLE
I wrote a post to the person who can't have eggs without chocolates afterwards [SF] and lost the window where to paste it lol Anyone know the title of that thread, I'm not finding it in the Q&A index, there's nothing under chocolates or eggs in search either that's 'hers'. Anyone else read it and remember the title? It's pretty unique so thought someone would remember it. :-)

suppliments to avoid cravings.

DEBIN OHIO

[MAMZELLE]

Thanks. I thought I remembered chocolates being in the title, but now I do remember the title, but didn't think that was it when scanning all of them in the index... thanks! Hmmmm now I see it wasn't even 'her' thread, thought she started it. Thx again.