Here's the skinny on bacon's nutrition information.
Image Credit: Brent Hofacker/iStock/Getty Images Americans love their bacon. The average American eats an estimated 18 pounds of the stuff every year, per the Foundation For Economic Education. Despite its popularity, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone claim bacon to be a health food.
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If you enjoy eating bacon — whether as part of a bacon-and-eggs breakfast or on your sandwich at lunch or dinner — you'll want to do so in moderation, as the meat is high in fat, calories and sodium.
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What Is Canadian Bacon vs. American Bacon?
Canadian bacon (which is just called “bacon” in Canada) comes from the loin of the pig — behind the shoulder — while regular American bacon comes from the pig belly, per Berkeley Wellness.
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Canadian bacon, ham and regular bacon are all cured meats. Canadian bacon is usually sold fully cooked and has less fat and fewer calories than conventional American bacon.
As you’ll see below, a single slice of Canadian bacon contains fewer grams of fat and calories than conventional bacon, but it still hosts plenty of sodium. This is important to keep in mind when deciding how many slices to add to your plate.
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Related Reading 11 Protein-Packed Breakfasts to Power You Through the Morning
Nutrition and Calories in Bacon One slice of raw, cured pork bacon, equal to 28 grams, contains:
110 calories 10.4 g fat 3.5 g saturated fat
210 mg sodium 0 g carbohydrates 4 g protein
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Calories in Crispy Bacon One 12-gram slice of pan-fried, crispy bacon contains 54 calories and 4 grams of fat — less than raw bacon because the fat cooks down.
Lean Canadian Bacon Nutrition One slice of raw Canadian bacon, equal to 28 grams, contains:
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31 calories 0.7 g fat 213 mg sodium 0.4 g carbohydrates 5.8 g protein
Related Reading 10 Easy Food Swaps That’ll Cut Your Sugar and Saturated Fat Intake in Half Turkey Bacon as a Healthier Alternative Turkey bacon is made from ground dark and light turkey meat. Although it’s still not considered a health food, turkey bacon can be a better alternative to standard American and Canadian bacon. As you’ll see below, it contains fewer calories and grams of fat than does conventional breakfast meat.
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Turkey Bacon Nutrition Info
One slice of raw turkey bacon, equal to 28 grams, contains:
40 calories 1.5 g fat 200 mg sodium 1 g carbohydrates 6 g protein
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references
The Huffington Post: 9 Unfortunate Truths About Juicy, Scrumptious Bacon
USDA: "Pork, cured, bacon, unprepared"
USDA Nutrient Database: Basic Report: 42130, Turkey Bacon, Cooked
Foundation For Economic Education: "15 Economic, Historical, and Health Facts about Bacon"
Nutrition Value: "Raw Canadian Bacon"
references
The Huffington Post: 9 Unfortunate Truths About Juicy, Scrumptious Bacon
USDA: "Pork, cured, bacon, unprepared"
USDA Nutrient Database: Basic Report: 42130, Turkey Bacon, Cooked
Foundation For Economic Education: "15 Economic, Historical, and Health Facts about Bacon"
Nutrition Value: "Raw Canadian Bacon"
Here's the skinny on bacon's nutrition information.
Image Credit: Brent Hofacker/iStock/Getty Images
Image Credit: Brent Hofacker/iStock/Getty Images
11 Protein-Packed Breakfasts to Power You Through the Morning
- 3.5 g saturated fat
One 12-gram slice of pan-fried, crispy bacon contains 54 calories and 4 grams of fat — less than raw bacon because the fat cooks down.
10 Easy Food Swaps That’ll Cut Your Sugar and Saturated Fat Intake in Half
The Huffington Post: 9 Unfortunate Truths About Juicy, Scrumptious Bacon
USDA: "Pork, cured, bacon, unprepared"
USDA Nutrient Database: Basic Report: 42130, Turkey Bacon, Cooked
Foundation For Economic Education: "15 Economic, Historical, and Health Facts about Bacon"
Nutrition Value: "Raw Canadian Bacon"
