Pork has such an undeserved bad reputation. I always feel like I shouldn’t share with others that I wouldn’t mind eating a pulled pork sandwich for at least two of my daily meals from now until eternity. Everyone considers it an unhealthy food, as they make the connotation with the animal is comes from: the pig. This is sad not only because of how unbelievably delicious a perfectly pulled, barbecued pork sandwich can be, but also because people are overlooking the amazingly beneficial nutrients found in pork.

Thiamin is a vitamin that plays a key role in metabolizing proteins and carbohydrates. Without it, your body can’t utilize any of the proteins and carbs that you consume- therefore, making all your efforts towards eating a balanced diet totally useless. Pork contains a big bad beneficial 57% if your TOTAL daily Thiamin needs- yes, I said FIFTY-SEVEN PERCENT OF YOUR TOTAL DAILY THIAMIN NEEDS. And if that isn’t enough reason for you to get chomping, consider also that it contains about 37% of your daily Niacin needs, which assists with the digestion and breakdown of essential fatty acids. Furthermore, pork also has lots of Vitamin B6, Zinc, and Riboflavin. I won’t bore you with more scientific definitions of nutrients, but the bottom line is: the stuff is good for you.

So, the next time you see and smell that juicy, shredded meat embraced by a bed of melted cheese, sandwiched between two buttery, thick pieces of panini-pressed toast, and you desperately try to convince yourself to order something “healthier”, do what I did last night at Pork Belly’s Sandwich Shop in Venice and tell those LYING voices in your head that you’re completely justified in your cravings. Then dig in.