Satisfy Bacon Craving Without Risking Pancreatic Cancer

The meat-eaters among you may truly believe that bacon makes everything better; and folks from Iron Chefs to everyday-Joe's will pay up to $35 a pound for gourmet bacon cuts. However, these delectable pieces of smoked pig are highly processed with numerous toxic chemicals such as nitrites, sodium nitrate, and other products that cause cancer.

 In particular, your risk of pancreatic cancer increases two-fold after eating processed meats such as bacon and sausages, reports the British Journal of Cancer. As little as one sausage or two slices of bacon can increase your risk factors for pancreatic cancer by 51 percent.

If you're one of the devoted, living on a bacon diet, adding it to brownies, crumbling it on ice cream or just eating it plain -- think about this before you eat it again. Some of the chemicals used to give bacon its distinctive and delicious flavor are altered by your body into toxins that actually change the nature of your DNA, says The Guardian. The damage goes deep and processed meats contribute to colorectal, breast, and pancreatic cancer.

If you respect your body, or even if you're just simply scared to hell of cancer, it's never too late to make a different food choice and reach for a more nutritious tasty morsel.

What's a bacon lover to do?

Giving up the bacon diet may be as painful to some as relinquishing candy bars or sodas for sugar addicts. But you can still satisfy your bacon craving by eating homemade, seasoned turkey crisps. Organic, free range turkey is lower in fat than bacon, and has no added chemicals, hormones or antibiotics.

 It's minimally processed and supplies a natural source for the amino acid, L-tryptophan, which stimulates the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Researchers believe there is a link between low serotonin levels and depression. Naturally stimulating serotonin levels may improve your moods and provide a healthy alternative to taking dangerous, pharmaceutical drugs.

Eating turkey also protects you from the risks of pancreatic cancer because it contains selenium, an essential trace mineral. Selenium boosts the immune system, supports thyroid function and provides antioxidants to help eliminate cancer-friendly free radicals.

Making turkey crisps

The easiest way to make turkey crisps is by using organic, sliced turkey that's been minimally processed. Alternatively, you can roast an organic turkey and slice it thin.

It's as simple as melting enzyme-rich, organic or raw butter in a stainless steel pan and placing several turkey slices in the butter to cook. If you don't eat butter, use one of your favorite oils like coconut or walnut to coat the pan. Season with spices, like organic garlic and onion powder and cook on a medium-high heat. Repeatedly turn the meat until it's golden brown and leathery in appearance -- like bacon. Drain it on a paper towel and serve like bacon. Use smoked turkey or add a few dribbles of organic smoke flavor as you're cooking. The organic smoke liquid is available at health food stores and is chemical free.

Don't be shy about how you prepare turkey crisps. Sprinkle some cinnamon and pure maple sugar on them for a sweet treat; douse them with organic, grade B maple syrup alongside breakfast pancakes; shake on thyme and sage for a savory, Thanksgiving-flavored snack. Store extras in the fridge in a plastic bag and eat as you like -- if you actually have leftovers.

Substituting organic turkey crisps for bacon can turn a cancer-causing bacon diet into nourishing nutrition that reduces your risk of pancreatic cancer.