by Miranda Hammer, RD, NLC
Did you say vegan bacon? Yep.
The World Health Organization has linked the consumption of processed and red meat with colorectal cancer, which means for all you bacon lovers out there, breakfast might need to start looking a little different.
Although there is still gray area in terms of how much is actually safe to eat, limiting the intake of red meat and meat that has been salted, cured, smoked or fermented is recommended.
Luckily for many of us, Sunday morning breakfasts tend to offer healthy omelets with a side of greens. But for others, you can hear the gasp when told the Farmer’s Breakfast is no longer on the menu.
So what’s a bacon lover to do to get their fix? Make vegan bacon. Seriously!
For those moments you just.need.bacon, I want you to look to coconut and mushrooms to satisfy your craving.
Here are 3 nutritious, delicious, and healthy bacon alternatives that will leave you healthily and happily satisfied.
Oh, and if you do choose to eat real bacon and/or any other red meat, limit your intake and select lean grass-fed, hormone-free options from a sustainable and reliable source.
2 Healthy Recipes with Vegan Bacon, and 1 Turkey Sausage Recipe You’ll Love!
Green Salad with Shiitake Bacon
Sounds a little weird, but when sliced and baked until crisp, the umami flavor and color of the mushrooms can fool most bacon lovers. Added benefit – mushrooms are one of the few dietary sources of Vitamin D. Get the recipe
Coconut Bacon Sandwich: AKA The New BLT
Think maple cured bacon, and this is a perfect swap. Sweet and slightly salty with a little chewy texture, coconut bacon is the perfect sub in your new favorite sandwich. Get the recipe
These sausage patties are extremely simple to make and are free of nitrates and preservatives. When selecting your ground meat, make sure that the turkey is pasture-raised and hormone-free. If you can, purchase your meat from the greenmarket and support sustainable agriculture. This recipe makes multiple patties, which is great to have on hand for a quick breakfast, snack, salad, or grain topper. Get the recipe
About Miranda:
Miranda Hammer is a registered dietitian, recipe developer, and founder of Crunchy Radish, a clean-eating healthy-living blog. Upon graduating from the clinical nutrition program at New York University, Miranda worked as a dietitian at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. Currently, Miranda primarily focuses on content and recipe development for brands, websites, and magazines, as well as running her private counseling business.