At 07:36 PM 4/15/2012, you wrote:
 >I'm actually eating nitrate-free bacon, but I'm not sure the stuff is
 >bad for you.

Is is truly nitrate free? Or the no nitrates added?

 >No doubt you've seen this:
 >http://voices.yahoo.com/eating-foods-high-nitrites-nitrates-good-for-656247.html?cat=5

I haven't. But (1) I'm not a mouse. And (2) based on my BP, 
cholesterol, CRP, and Homocysteine, I consider my risk of a heart 
attack to be zero. Hence there isn't anything that can lower it.

I do want to avoid colon cancer.

 >So what else in bacon could be bad for you?  Phinney argues
 >convincingly that low carbers aren't getting *enough* sodium.  The fat
 >profile is certainly good.

I like the fat profile, except I am not a fan of pork. It is all 
grain-fed. Except feral pork from a place like Texas. And one or two 
places that pasture pork:
http://stonewall-farms.com/
http://sugarmtnfarm.com/

Our ancestor didn't have salt shakers. I see no need to add salt 
beyond what is naturally in the food. And I am assuming here that at 
least some fish is being consumed.

Don.