Perfectly cooked every time, and no mess! Oven Baked Bacon!!! If you haven't cooked bacon this way, you need to try, you will not be disappointed! All you need is a cookie sheet and some parchment paper. And, here are some nutrition facts about bacon that might surprise you!
Contains choline which is necessary for brain health. Choline has been shown to improve cognitive performance and memory and protect against neurotoxicity. It also plays an important role in liver function and liver detoxification, and balances the effects of methionine, which is an amino acid found in the leaner forms of protein.
The following B vitamins are found in bacon - B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12 - all which help support energy throughout the day as well as blood sugar and certain types of anemias
89% of RDA for selenium
53% of RDA for phosphorus
And decent amounts of iron, zinc, magnesium and potassium
Not all bacon is equal! Do your best to buy pastured raised pork, which often has a deeper, richer, or more complex flavor than factory-farmed meat does. Pastured animals are also more ideal for your health as they offer more "good" fats, and fewer "bad" fats. They are richer in antioxidants and do not contain traces of added hormones, antibiotics or other drugs.
The key to eating bacon and gaining health benefits is keeping the portions to reasonable sizes.
It might be helpful to think of bacon as a condiment, more in the healthy fats category, and something that can be added to a meal, as opposed to being the main protein you base a meal around.
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400F
Line a sheet pan with unbleached parchment paper for easy clean up
Depending on thickness, lay out slices in single row, bake for 15-22 minutes, checking at 12-15 minute and flip. Cook for another 3-7 minutes.
Enjoy!
If you are worried about nitrates found in bacon, you can read more about that here. The study that originally connected nitrates with cancer risk has since been discredited after being subjected to a peer review and major reviews found no link between nitrates or nitrites and human cancers. Further, recent research suggests that nitrates and nitrites may not only be harmless, they may be beneficial, especially for immunity and heart health.