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The resurgence of lard, or pig fat seems to have come from a change in opinion about saturated fat (fat mainly from meat and dairy) and the growth of the nose-to-tail movement.
Chefs of trendy restaurants like Husk in South Carolina and Marianne in London are coming out as proud lard-servers, saying that it's "so versatile" and "healthier" than alternatives.
But even though some of the stigma has been reduced, people still don't necessarily want to order "lard" off their menus.
Marianne Lamb, the chef and owner of Marianne restaurant in London, told The Guardian that wording is key to get guests interested. "My front of house, Francesca, pronounces lardo di colonnata in perfect Italian, which makes it sound irresistible, compared to just 'lard'!" she said.
Husk uses a similar tactic, referring to a butter/lard mix as "Honey Pork Butter."
But maybe one day 'lard' will just be a fat by any other name. After all, more information is coming out declaring that saturated fats don't necessarily contribute to heart attacks and other cardiac diseases.
Additionally, health writers such as Gary Taubes ("Why We Get Fat") and Nina Teicholz ("The Big Fat Surprise") are spouting the virtues of saturated fat. Taubes argues that lard can be good for us because it doesn't even contain that much saturated fat and can even reduce our risk for having a heart attack.
Comment: That is right, saturated fat from animals reduces our risk of heart disease. The cholesterol myth has ruined our health and has killed scores of people throughout the world during the last decades. It advocated studies and health policies that are responsible for the world's epidemic of heart disease by promoting carbohydrates as a replacement of anti-inflammatory animal fats. The science behind this simple and common sense concept is irrefutable. For more information see:
The Big Fat Surprise by Nina Teicholz.
Straight from the horse's mouth:
-Consequences of replacing saturated fats with carbohydrates or Ω-6 polyunsaturated fats: The dietary guidelines have it wrong
-From the Heart: Saturated fat is not the major issue
-Sweden touts low-carb diet as key to weight loss
-Swedish Expert Committee: A Low-Carb Diet most effective for weight loss
For more information see:
-The Ketogenic Diet - An Overview
-The Obesity Epidemic, Courtesy of the Agricultural Industry
-Saturated fat heart disease 'myth': UK cardiologist calls for change in public health advice on saturated fat
-Heart surgeon speaks out on what really causes heart disease