Turkey Bacon is a LIE

ElleW88

I have come to the conclusion that turkey bacon is worse for you than pig bacon.

Here's the thing. I live in a small town, with two small-ish grocery stores. Because of their size, they don't have much variety when it comes to labels, so MAYBE it's just the brand of turkey bacon available in this area that I find unhealthy. But according to the label, turkey bacon is the same amount of calories as regular bacon when you compare weight and serving size. In fact, in some brands it's actually 5-10 calories more. But it's not just about the calories. There are so many additional additives on the ingredient label for turkey bacon that it makes me highly suspicious. Furthermore, since I can never seem to keep my sodium level under my goal, I've been trying extra hard to find low sodium products. Much to my surprise, most regular bacon actually has a lower sodium count than turkey bacon. So, I've decided, unless someone has something brilliant to say about this, I'm going back to regular bacon.

pinkgigi

I use smoked chicken in things that need bacon, but I don't know about calorie or sodium comparisons.

GG

ishallnotwant

I love regular bacon. I don't eat it every day but I do make breakfast with some eggs and 2 strips of bacon once or twice per week (sometimes more) and have been able to lose weight eating it as long as I make sure to just eat my 2 strips and not munch on it mindlessly.

chapagonzo

I heard today that consuming two strips of bacon daily will double your risk of diabetes.......

SergeantSunshine_reused

Best Choice: Give both up. If turkey bacon is worse, then neither are good.

ewegner

I honestly just hate all of the GREASE from regular bacon. Oscar Mayer makes a lower sodium turkey bacon - and although there are many additives, what doesn't have that nowadays. I hear that buying center cut regular bacon is the best - still high in fat, but not as bad as the cheaper cuts. I say, if you don't eat it that often anyway, what's the big deal? Enjoy your Bacon!

lstnlondry

Stay on top of that Sodium!! I'm happy you are learning about what foods you eat!!

TinaS88

Turkey bacon IS better for you. But the key is MODERATION!

MarshallLuke

Greta, first it was the cake, and now the turkey bacon is a lie!
(Sorry, I'm a nerd...)

SpeedBump1

I buy organic uncured turkey bacon. 30 cal per slice.

trouserchili

Yup, turkey bacon is processed floor scrapings basically. They tumble the bones, connective tissues, etc in a giant centrifuge thing that strips the bits and pieces off. It then gets mashed and ground together with some of the organs then washed in lye to disinfect it, then washed and rinsed again. Then formed into "bacon".

Actually it's much more involved but that's the Cliff notes of it. Nasty stuff. Stay away.

ajbeans

And also, it's gross. That's enough for me.

wickedcricket

I only EVER eat real bacon (real cheese, etc) I only have 2 or 3 slices at a time (instead of a half lb) but I REFUSE to give up bacon. A life w/o bacon isn't much of a life imo
Just choose the LEANEST bacon you can find and don't over do -
you're right - Fresh unprocessed bacon is better for you (and tastes better) than turkey bacon any day
A little fat is part of a healthy diet

oh damn, now I want a BLT (sigh)

otr12

Turkey bacon IS better for you. But the key is MODERATION!

Why is it better?

FairyMiss

i will stick with the devine swine

ajbeans

Greta, first it was the cake, and now the turkey bacon is a lie!
(Sorry, I'm a nerd...)

:laugh:

They totally should have used bacon instead of cake. That would have been AWESOME.

ElleW88

I think it's sort of unreasonable to give them both up. If I were going to develop a healthy lifestyle based on that mindset, I would extremely unhappy. I don't eat bacon every day. In fact, I have it so rarely it's almost a non-issue. Maybe twice a month I crumble two pieces of bacon on a salad. I doubt that's enough to contribute negatively to my wieight-loss goals.

madeline31692

It may be your limited brand choices. The Kroger brand turkey bacon I buy is much less calories and fat. Haven't checked the sodium. Most of the time I'd rather have 2-3 slices of bacon every once in a while than turkey bacon all the time. Same way I'd rather have 1/2 a slice of pie than that silly pie-flavored yogurt!

jlrae

Yup, turkey bacon is processed floor scrapings basically. They tumble the bones, connective tissues, etc in a giant centrifuge thing that strips the bits and pieces off. It then gets mashed and ground together with some of the organs then washed in lye to disinfect it, then washed and rinsed again. Then formed into "bacon".

Actually it's much more involved but that's the Cliff notes of it. Nasty stuff. Stay away.

Ooooh now I'm hungry! LoL.

piperjon

No, turkey "bacon" is not really better for you. Check out the sodium, it's substantially higher. As are the overall calories. The protein is either usually the same or lower. And while neither bacon would ever qualify as health food for anyone, in moderation (as has been said), regular bacon is probably a better choice for the occasional BLT (hold the mayo).

Or Canadian bacon, eh? I've not looked at the numbers, but it always seems less fatty than either.

Mostly, though, turkey bacon is the work of the devil. !!!THE DEVIL!!! Who else could take a lovely and beautimous article such as (insert angel music here) Real Honest Maple Bacon (yes I added the maple..) and turn it into TURKEY. EVIL I sez, evil! EEEEeeviiilllll!!!!

We now return you to your regularly scheduled healthy eating schedules. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. Your mileage may vary. P.S. Don't blame me, I live in the South. Thank you.

Pj

FrancesGallagher

There is a lower sodium bacon (I'm not sure of the brand name). I have used it and didn't notice any difference from regular bacon. I use two stripes of bacon when I have scrambled eggs and that works well. I like scrambled eggs now and then for lunch rather than breakfast. My breakfast during the week is oatmeal (cooked in the micro) and packaged dry cereal (honeynut cheerios) on the weekends with 1/2 banana, sliced. Skim milk with the cereal and in coffee works well for me. Good luck with your program, FG

lclarkjr

I look at it this way, turkey's don't have bacon! I refuse to eat faux bacon. If I wanted something made from turkey, I would have it in a more natural form such as turkey breast. Not turkey that is engineered to look and taste like bacon. Obviously it's not the leanest cut of meat, but if I intend to have some bacon, I just go whole hog (pun intended).

123456654321

It must be a bad selection you have there.

srostad2006

Personally, anything you eat to an extreme can be bad for you. Personally, I like turkey bacon, but that's me. And I'll continue to eat it , even if it is made of floor scraps. I'm not giving up my occasional hot dog either:) But you are exactly right. You are trying to build a lifestyle. If that lifestyle MUST include a little bacon now and then for you to stick with it, so be it.

Kelly_Wilson1990

Butterball brand is low calorie and fat. There is a low sodium one too. That is the only brand I buy. I do not eat pork anyone.

Butterball Everyday Turkey Bacon
Nutrition (not the low sodium):
Serving Size 1 slice (14 g)
Servings Per Container 18

Amount Per Serving
Calories 25
Calories from Fat 15
Total Fat 1.5g
Saturated Fat 0.5g
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 10mg
Sodium 135mg
Total Carbohydrates 0g
Dietary Fiber 0g
Sugars 0g
Protein 2g
http://www.butterball.com/product/regular-turkey-bacon

Farmer John Bacon:
FARMER JOHN® Classic Bacon 16oz

Serving Size 1 Pan Fried Slice (10g)
Nutrition Facts

Calories 50
Calories from Fat 30
Total Fat 3.5g
Saturated Fat 1.5g
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 5mg
Sodium 160mg
Dietary Fiber 0g
Sugars 0g
Protein 4g
http://www.farmerjohn.com/products/bacon/farmer-john-classic-bacon-16oz/

Dtho5159

Turkey bacon gives me an upset tummy.. I stick with the real deal.

Jennwith2ns

I think turkey bacon is nasty, and for me, not worth giving up regular bacon. I don't eat pork bacon every day, but like 1-2 times a week.

cantfitinmykayak

This from Cooking Light magazine:
We're not trying to pick on the poor old turkey here, but bacon is a prime exampe of why label-reading is important. Pork bacon comes in smokey, super-thick, fatty slabs but also in naturally lean center cut slices; the latter contain as little as 60 calories, 1.5g sat fat, and 260mg sodium per slice. Turkey bacon also wanders all over the nutrition map. A slice of Jennie-Os ultra-lean version is a nutrition bargain, at 20 calories, 0g sat fat, and 120mg sodium. But others contain the same fat as center-cut pork bacon and even more sodium. What to do: If you like pork bacon, choose a lean high flavor cut, if you need less fat, find a lean lower sodium turkey product.

servilia

Pork bacon is not evil. Highly processed vegetable oils and the tons of carbs (not veggies or fruits) are. Regarding that diabetes study, I wonder how much bread products and processed sugary foods those bacon eaters ate..

catsinpajamas

I second your conclusions Elle. Just eat regular bacon in moderation.

lynn1982

Some people don't eat regular bacon for religious reasons... hence the usefulness of turkey bacon.