Is Turkey Bacon Healthy?
Nutrition, Calories and More
Turkey bacon is one of the most popular foods in America. It’s not only delicious but it’s also nutritious too! Here are some facts about turkey bacon:
1) Turkey Bacon Has More Protein Than Chicken Breasts or Fish Fillets
The average chicken thigh contains 2 grams of protein while the average turkey leg contains 1 gram of protein. That means that turkey legs have twice as much protein than chicken thighs! And there’s no need to worry about your waistline because turkey bacon has more protein than fish fillet too!
2) Turkey Bacon Contains Less Fat Than Beef Jerky or Tofu
A serving of turkey bacon contains less fat than beef jerky or tofu. A serving of regular turkey bacon has 0 grams of saturated fat and 7 grams of monounsaturated fat. You may wonder why there is so little saturated fat in turkey bacon compared to other meats. One reason is that turkey bacon contains more omega 3 fatty acids than other meats.
Omega 3 fats have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.
3) Turkey Bacon Contains Less Sodium Than Other Meats Too
One serving of regular turkey bacon contains less sodium than other meats like chicken wings, hot dogs, bologna sandwiches and even veggie burgers! Some studies show that eating low-fat foods may lower blood pressure and protect against high cholesterol levels. Eating less fat may reduce the risk of heart disease.
4) Turkey Bacon Contains More Thiamin and Zinc than Other Meats
You can get more thiamin and zinc from turkey bacon than other meats like ham, hot dogs, bologna and regular turkey. Eating foods that are rich in thiamin and zinc may help protect against heart disease. Some studies suggest that a daily intake of 50 milligrams of thiamin and 40 milligrams of zinc may help prevent heart disease in men.
5) Turkey Bacon Contains Less Sodium than Ham, Hot Dogs and Bologna
One serving of regular turkey bacon contains less sodium than ham, hot dogs and bologna. A low-sodium diet has been linked to lower blood pressure in men and reduced risk of stroke. Eating low-sodium foods may also protect against kidney stones and osteoporosis in men.
6) Eating Turkey Bacon May Help You Lose Weight
Some scientific studies show that people who eat more turkey bacon are less likely to be obese than people who rarely eat it.
7) The Carbs in Turkey Bacon Aren’t as Bad as You Think
One serving of regular turkey bacon contains 5 grams of carbs. Brown rice has 4.8 grams of carbs per serving. A diet that is low in carbohydrates may not protect against heart disease like previously thought.
Some studies suggest that a diet that is low in carbohydrates and high in protein may cause heart disease!
8) Eating Turkey Bacon May Reduce the Risk of Colon Cancer
Some studies show that men who eat more red meat have a higher risk of developing colon cancer. A diet that is low in fat may help reduce your risk of colon cancer. One serving of turkey bacon contains less than 2 grams of fat so you can prevent colon cancer while still enjoying the taste and flavor of bacon.
Does Turkey Bacon Have as Much Cholesterol as Regular Bacon?
An 8-slice pack of regular bacon contains 230 milligrams of cholesterol. 8 slices of turkey bacon contain 15 milligrams of cholesterol. Eating less than 200 milligrams of cholesterol per day may help prevent the buildup of plaque in your arteries.
Does Turkey Bacon Have as Much Sodium As Regular Bacon?
A serving of regular bacon has 480 milligrams of sodium. A serving of turkey bacon contains just 60 milligrams of sodium. The Institute of Medicine recommends that people consume less than 1500 milligrams of sodium per day.
Does Turkey Bacon Have as Much Fat As Regular Bacon?
A serving of regular bacon has 7 grams of fat. A serving of turkey bacon contains 1 gram of fat. Most of the fat in turkey bacon is monounsaturated fat, which may decrease your risk of heart disease when eaten in moderation.
Does Turkey Bacon Have Any Other Nutritional Benefits?
One serving of turkey bacon contains 35% of your daily recommended amount of niacin, 27% of your daily recommended amount of vitamin B6, 19% of your daily recommended amount of zinc and 17% of your daily recommended amount of pantothenic acid. A serving of regular bacon contains 10% of your daily recommended amount of niacin, 8% of your daily recommended amount of vitamin B6, 7% of your daily recommended amount of pantothenic acid, 6% of your daily recommended amount of zinc and 2.5% of your daily recommended amount of riboflavin.
Can You Cook Turkey Bacon Just Like Regular Bacon?
Yes. You can cook turkey bacon just like you would cook regular bacon. The only difference is that the turkey bacon doesn’t shrink as much when you cook it. You can also substitute turkey bacon for regular bacon in any of your favorite recipes!
How Much Does Turkey Bacon Cost?
You can expect to pay around $4 for a pound of turkey bacon at your local grocery store. A pound of regular bacon may cost around the same.
Buying in bulk online may save you some money. A 10 pound case of turkey bacon costs around $85. That works out to only $8.50 per pound.
If you buy a case of turkey bacon, you can save around $3 per pound.
When Can You Find Turkey Bacon on Sale?
Your local grocery store may run a sale on turkey bacon every now and then. Your best bet for saving money on turkey bacon is to buy in bulk online.
Why Should You Eat Turkey Bacon?
You should eat turkey bacon rather than regular bacon for health reasons. Turkey bacon has less fat and cholesterol than regular bacon does. It is a good source of niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, zinc and riboflavin. You can also cook and use turkey bacon just like you would cook and use regular bacon.
Does Turkey Bacon Have as Much Protein as Regular Bacon?
A serving of regular bacon contains 7 grams of protein. A serving of turkey bacon contains 7.5 grams of protein. A serving of regular bacon has less than half the amount of protein than a serving of turkey bacon does.
Does Turkey Bacon Have as Much Calories as Regular Bacon?
A serving of regular bacon has 50 calories. A serving of turkey bacon has 40 calories. A serving of regular bacon has less than half the number of calories than a serving of turkey bacon does.
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