Is turkey bacon healthy? Turkey Bacon is a healthy alternative to traditional bacon because it has less fat and fewer calories. But turkey bacon is still a highly processed meat. And it does contain ingredients that could be hazardous to your health.
The only way to know if turkey bacon is healthier than pork bacon is to see the difference visually.
Here is the nutrition content of Turkey bacon vs Pork bacon.
Is Turkey Bacon Healthy? photo credit: iStock- lisafx
Turkey Bacon
Calories- 60
Carbs- 0.5 grams
Protein- 4.7 grams
Total Fat- 4.5 grams
Saturated Fat- 1.3 grams
Sodium- 366 mg
Selenium- 6% of the Daily Value
Phosphorus- 7% of the Daily value
Zinc- 3% of the Daily Value
Niacin- 3% of the Daily Value
Thiamine- 1% of the Daily Value
Vitamin B6- 3% of the Daily Value
Vitamin B12- 1% of the Daily Value
Pork Bacon
Calories- 82
Carbs- 0.2 grams
Protein- 6 grams
Total Fat- 6.2 grams
Saturated Fat- 2 grams
Sodium- 376 mg
Selenium- 14% of the Daily Value
Phosphorus- 8% of the Daily Value
Zinc- 4% of the Daily Value
Niacin-8% of the Daily Value
Thiamine- 4% of the Daily Value
Vitamin B6- 4% of the Daily Value
Vitamin B12- 4% of the Daily Value
Turkey and Pork bacon both come from animal proteins, but they also possess reliable sources of B vitamins and minerals like zinc, selenium, and phosphorus. Turkey Bacon has 25% fewer calories and 35% less saturated fat than pork bacon. So, for someone that is going for a healthier alternative; then turkey bacon would be the be better option for you.
Some religions forbid pork so if you are part of a religion that doesn’t allow you to eat pork then turkey bacon could be a suitable option for your religious beliefs.
Some of the negative things about Turkey bacon are:
- It has less protein than traditional Pork bacon.
- Two strips of turkey bacon provide about 366 mg of sodium which is about 15% of the daily value. If you have to watch your sodium intake because of high blood pressure or high cholesterol issue, then you may want to keep turkey bacon at a minimal.
- Turkey bacon contains chemical preservative which is nitrates and nitrites. And this can be harmful because it is synthetic. Naturally occurring nitrates found in fruits and vegetables are good but once it is a synthetic nitrate it is unhealthy.
- Research studies have shown that nitrites with compounds such as nitrosamines has been linked to stomach cancer and throat cancer.
- There were also some studies that showed that eating 50 grams of eating processed meat products per day gives you a greater risk of obtaining colon cancer. 50 grams of processed meat is equivalent to about 6 slices of bacon.
“Turkey Bacon is a healthy alternative to traditional bacon because it has less fat and fewer calories. But turkey bacon is still a highly processed meat. And it does contain ingredients that could be hazardous to your health.” Celebrity Fitness & Nutrition Expert Obi Obadike
Turkey bacon is a highly processed meat and studies have shown that highly processed meat has been linked to an increase of heart disease and diabetes by 42 and 19%.
The Bottom Line is that turkey bacon is a healthier option to regular pork bacon. But it is important to still consume turkey bacon with moderation. And the reasons are because it is high in sodium, and it is still a highly processed meat. Highly processed meats have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.
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References
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- Jakszyn P, Gonzalez CA. Nitrosamine and related food intake and gastric and oesophageal cancer risk: a systematic review of the epidemiological evidence. World J Gastroenterol. 2006 Jul 21;12(27):4296-303. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i27.4296. PMID: 16865769; PMCID: PMC4087738.
- Hord NG, Tang Y, Bryan NS. Food sources of nitrates and nitrites: the physiologic context for potential health benefits. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Jul;90(1):1-10. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2008.27131. Epub 2009 May 13. PMID: 19439460.
- Self Nutrition Data
Turkey bacon, cooked Nutrition Facts & Calories (self.com)
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