Is Turkey Bacon a Healthier Alternative?

According to the National Pork Board, over 1.1 billion lbs. of bacon is consumed every year. Clearly, bacon is an American staple. From the smell to the texture, everything about bacon just feels like an American breakfast.

However, with nutrition becoming ever more important to the average consumer, how does bacon nutrition stack up to increasingly popular bacon alternatives like turkey bacon?

If you are still thinking: What is turkey bacon? Is turkey bacon good for you? Is turkey bacon healthier than pork? Where can I get turkey bacon? Read on and find out. 

What Is Turkey Bacon?

Turkey bacon has grown in popularity over the last few years. As a healthier alternative to bacon, turkey bacon is made to feel and taste as close to traditional pork bacon as possible.

Turkey bacon comes from thin, lean slices of turkey thigh fillet. In some cases, turkey bacon can be made by combining chopped and smoked turkey with various preservatives and seasonings. High-quality turkey bacon incorporates some fat in each strip to give it the same crackling texture as traditional pork bacon.

Is Turkey Bacon Healthier Than Pork?

Turkey bacon is made from turkey instead of pork. This is a far leaner kind of meat and is a similar texture to other white meats such as chicken. However, it’s important to remember that not all turkey bacon is the same. This means that it’s important to take a close look at the ingredients list to be sure that you have a high-quality alternative.

Turkey Bacon Nutritional Facts

Everyone knows that turkey bacon is healthier than pork bacon. However, if you are still wondering, is turkey bacon healthy? Here are some important nutritional facts according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

2 slices of turkey bacon contain:

• 60 calories per serving
• 1 g of saturated fat
• 2 g of total fat
• 7 g of carbohydrates
• 8 g of protein
• 328 mg of sodium
• 14 mg of choline
• 24 mg of cholesterol

While turkey bacon and pork bacon contain similar levels of protein, pork bacon comes with more fat, saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol. The added sodium and cholesterol increase your risk of heart disease.

Where Can You Get Turkey Bacon?

If you are wondering where you can get turkey bacon, you may be happy to find out that most major restaurants stock it as a healthier alternative to pork. This is a great way to help restaurants offer lower-calorie versions of their meals. In addition to this, you can find turkey bacon in most major grocery chains and butcheries as well. 

Want to Live a Healthier Lifestyle? 

Whether you want to know, is turkey bacon healthier than regular bacon? Or how many calories you should consume to maintain a healthy weight? You can find what you’re looking for at the Mom Blog Society.

Feel free to take a look at the entire Food & Drink section of our blog to get inspired and learn about healthier habits you can introduce to you and your loved ones at home.