Eastern NC barbecue is healthier than western

Is eastern North Carolina barbecue healthier than western North Carolina barbecue?

Posted 2:10 p.m. Jul 11, 2018 — Updated 5:32 p.m. Jul 11, 2018

RALEIGH, N.C. — Is eastern North Carolina barbecue healthier than western North Carolina barbecue?

A side-by-side comparison of two typical barbecue recipes -- one from the east and one from the west -- proves that eastern N.C. BBQ has significantly less fat than its western counterpart, according to findings by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina in 2015.

In North Carolina, eastern-style N.C. barbecue is known for its vinegar base and peppery bite, which makes it lighter -- and spicier -- than its western counterpart. Western-style, sometimes called "Lexington style" barbecue, features a rich, sweet sauce typically made with butter, sugar and ketchup.

It's not just the sauce (or lack thereof) that keeps eastern-style barbecue on the lighter side. According to BCBSNC, in the east, the entire pig is used, utilizing both white meat and dark meat.

Western-style barbecue features only the pork shoulder, which is 100 dark meat, making it rich, moist and more fatty than eastern-style barbecue.

"That ramps up both the flavor and the calories -- dark meat contains roughly 13 percent more calories from fat than white meat," according to BCBSNC. "If a plain pulled pork serving of 3 oz. is 198 calories, the same portion with dark meat would be 225 calories."

BCBSNC's overall finding is that lighter sauce mix and the addition of white meat is better for your overall heart and cholesterol health.

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