Turkey Bacon is a LIE

24

Replies

  • Queen_JessieA
    Queen_JessieA Posts: 1,059 Member
    Hmmm...I like turkey bacon much better than piggie bacon. We will stick to turkey bacon :) Turkey sausage on the other hand ~ bleck!
  • Jade_Butterfly
    Jade_Butterfly Posts: 2,963 Member
    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.

    And hot dogs are all the innards scrambled into one casing. .. So personally I wouldn't eat any of it. . gross. . How about morning star bacon. . works great. . Not made out of rotting corpse. . Yay me!
  • thumper44
    thumper44 Posts: 1,464 Member
    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.
    I never thought about that with turkey bacon.. I had it once, and didn't like it. I enjoy pork bacon once every 3-4 weeks on the weekend with egg whites and no bread.
    Your description reminds me of hot dogs, which I won't have anymore as well, and now will be reminded the same with turkey bacon.

    <Sigh>
    Turkey sausage, with chicken with spinach and Feta. Costco sells them, they are made by simple choice.
    I used to enjoy eating them, they taste so good. Until I looked at the label. 130 calories for a sausage but 730 mg of sodium.
  • MakingAChoice
    MakingAChoice Posts: 481 Member
    The only real gain by using turkey bacon is the lower fat/saturated fat. Other than that they are about the same. If you are trying to stay low sodium than bacon is not something that you should consume very often simply because it is a cured meat (like lunch meats) that use a lot of salt in the curing process. If you do not want to give it up entirely than make a treat no more than once a week.
  • bentobee
    bentobee Posts: 321 Member
    I once read a report about how turkey bacon is most definitely NOT a better choice health-wise than the real thing. It specifically referred to the exhaustive list of additives and higher sodium content as the reason. So you are right. Turkey bacon IS a lie!!
  • darrcn5
    darrcn5 Posts: 495 Member
    I love the Gwaltney lean cut bacon (real bacon!). Yum!
  • darrcn5
    darrcn5 Posts: 495 Member
    I love the Gwaltney lean cut bacon (real bacon!). Yum!
  • nerdyandilikeit
    nerdyandilikeit Posts: 2,185 Member
    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).

    A) Exactly. Turkey physically isn't bacon, so they have to add crap to make it taste more like bacon. BUT, I still don't hate it, and I eat both in moderation depending on my mood.

    B) I love a good pun.
  • Jade_Butterfly
    Jade_Butterfly Posts: 2,963 Member
    I once read a report about how turkey bacon is most definitely NOT a better choice health-wise than the real thing. It specifically referred to the exhaustive list of additives and higher sodium content as the reason. So you are right. Turkey bacon IS a lie!!

    And real bacon is artery clogger. .. it takes the body 4 days to digest red meat and 2 for lean white meat such as chicken.
  • liberaltendencies
    liberaltendencies Posts: 150 Member
    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.

    So funny you bring this up! I noticed this same thing last night at the store. I live in a small town, too, so there isn't much selection.
  • ak_in_ak
    ak_in_ak Posts: 657 Member
    turkey bacon is gross, look at what it is made of! the OP is right, if you look at calories per gram, real bacon is much better, they make the slices thin and full of turkey byproduct so they seem to be less calories. the only ingredient should be pork, think about it!

    You may lose weight eating crap like turkey bacon and 100 calorie packs but all those chemicals are still doing harm.
  • NotGoddess
    NotGoddess Posts: 1,198 Member
    Turkey bacon is just another product labeled 'healthier' when it isn't. Like 'light' versions of food that have less fat/calories but twice the sodium and sugar. If you are going to enjoy bacon, enjoy -good- bacon, in moderation and enjoy every morsel.

    And the cake is not a lie. It has candy-coated peanut butter pieces shaped like fish, and volatile malted milk impoundments. Yummy.
  • KimmyEB
    KimmyEB Posts: 1,208 Member
    When I eat regular pork bacon, I feel disgusting...just seeing all of that grease literally disgusts me. Therefore, I don't eat it anymore. I don't eat pork anymore, anyway, except for the occasional Cuban sandwich. Otherwise, no pork for me. When I eat turkey bacon, I'm not disgusted, and I don't end up feeling like crap.
  • NoExcuseTina
    NoExcuseTina Posts: 506 Member
    I eat regular bacon...found the calories to be relatively the same as turkey bacon...AND real bacon taste so much better!
  • Jade_Butterfly
    Jade_Butterfly Posts: 2,963 Member
    turkey bacon is gross, look at what it is made of! the OP is right, if you look at calories per gram, real bacon is much better, they make the slices thin and full of turkey byproduct so they seem to be less calories. the only ingredient should be pork, think about it!

    You may lose weight eating crap like turkey bacon and 100 calorie packs but all those chemicals are still doing harm.

    You know what if you are going to make a statement. . like that make sure that you are well informed. . . there is organic nitrate/hormone free turkey bacon. . You will find it at Henrys farmers market. . Tastes awesome. . and oh ya doesn't have all the artery clogger of real bacon. . and is lower in calories. . . so what is bad about that. . oh ya nothing. .. Or better yet just don't eat bacon.
  • Jade_Butterfly
    Jade_Butterfly Posts: 2,963 Member
    turkey bacon is gross, look at what it is made of! the OP is right, if you look at calories per gram, real bacon is much better, they make the slices thin and full of turkey byproduct so they seem to be less calories. the only ingredient should be pork, think about it!

    You may lose weight eating crap like turkey bacon and 100 calorie packs but all those chemicals are still doing harm.

    You know what if you are going to make a statement. . like that make sure that you are well informed. . . there is organic nitrate/hormone free turkey bacon. . You will find it at Henrys farmers market. . Tastes awesome. . and oh ya doesn't have all the artery clogger of real bacon. . and is lower in calories. . . so what is bad about that. . oh ya nothing. .. Or better yet just don't eat bacon.
  • nrvo
    nrvo Posts: 473 Member
    I ate turkey bacon once when I was younger and it made me so sick that I have never tried it again.

    Now I eat center cut bacon! A 3 slice serving of Oscar Meyer center cut bacon has 70cal, 4.5g fat (1.5g saturated), 270mg sodium, 7g protein. It's much leaner than the regular stuff, and super yummy! The only downside is that is can be a bit more expensive. I stock up when it goes on sale :)
  • taso42_DELETED
    taso42_DELETED Posts: 3,394 Member
    You need to seek out a high quality natural turkey bacon.
    I know of 3 quality brands:
    Applegate Farms
    Wellshire Farms
    Garrett County

    They're all very similar in nutritional data and ingredients.

    I have 2 slices every single morning with my eggs for 80 calories, 3g fat, and 12g of protein.

    As with any food product you buy, ever, read all the labels and compare.

    Check it:
    Applegate: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/applegate-farms-organic-uncured-turkey-bacon-5958849
    Garrett: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/garrett-county-turkey-bacon-1-slice-659846
    Wellshire: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/wellshire-peppered-turkey-bacon-9082299

    Show me pork bacon with comparable numbers.
  • Dkenny74
    Dkenny74 Posts: 26 Member
    I once read a report about how turkey bacon is most definitely NOT a better choice health-wise than the real thing. It specifically referred to the exhaustive list of additives and higher sodium content as the reason. So you are right. Turkey bacon IS a lie!!

    And real bacon is artery clogger. .. it takes the body 4 days to digest red meat and 2 for lean white meat such as chicken.

    Real Bacon does not clog arteries. It can be part of a healthy diet. Arteries in the us are clogged with manufactured fats from Vegetables.
  • TheBraveryLover
    TheBraveryLover Posts: 1,217 Member
    I love turkey bacon and I usually get the Oscar Meyer one that is low cals and low in sodium. Not a big fan of regular bacon, but I will do some research on this and what others have posted. If regular bacon is healthier, then I don't mind switching to it.

    Oh yeah and I buy Butterball turkey bacon too. Although now I have this (off?) brand cause it was maple and on sale, but it tastes like ham!:laugh:
  • Jade_Butterfly
    Jade_Butterfly Posts: 2,963 Member
    I once read a report about how turkey bacon is most definitely NOT a better choice health-wise than the real thing. It specifically referred to the exhaustive list of additives and higher sodium content as the reason. So you are right. Turkey bacon IS a lie!!

    And real bacon is artery clogger. .. it takes the body 4 days to digest red meat and 2 for lean white meat such as chicken.

    Real Bacon does not clog arteries. It can be part of a healthy diet. Arteries in the us are clogged with manufactured fats from Vegetables.

    Hmm thanks for the enlightenment (insert severe sarcasm). . . . must come from the farmers association.com. . . Just like the gotta drink milk commercials by the beef association. . . what a joke. . . . .
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,031 Member
    Best Choice: Give both up. If turkey bacon is worse, then neither are good.
    Untrue. Bacon isn't that bad, consuming LARGE amounts of it is.
  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    I like both regular bacon and turkey bacon. However, I buy all natural turkey bacon- the ingredients are: Turkey, Water, Sea Salt, Celery Powder, Organic Evaporated Cane Syrup, Organic Onion Powder.

    Not exactly scary stuff.

    I try not to eat a ton of processed meats, so I eat both turkey and pig bacon in moderation.
  • BerkleyEL
    BerkleyEL Posts: 77 Member
    This is the bacon that my husband and I do occasionally, I find it's quite delicious and the cals are acceptable to us.
    When I prepare it, I bake it on a cookie sheet with edges on racks - this keeps it from swimming in the grease and it still crisps up nicely. (also less chance of burning it)
    I don't know how available it is outside of the central states though.

    http://www.farmlandfoods.com/products/all-natural-uncured-bacon.html
  • lockef
    lockef Posts: 466
    I once read a report about how turkey bacon is most definitely NOT a better choice health-wise than the real thing. It specifically referred to the exhaustive list of additives and higher sodium content as the reason. So you are right. Turkey bacon IS a lie!!

    And real bacon is artery clogger. .. it takes the body 4 days to digest red meat and 2 for lean white meat such as chicken.

    Real Bacon does not clog arteries. It can be part of a healthy diet. Arteries in the us are clogged with manufactured fats from Vegetables.


    Hmm thanks for the enlightenment (insert severe sarcasm). . . . must come from the farmers association.com. . . Just like the gotta drink milk commercials by the beef association. . . what a joke. . . . .

    DK is correct.

    Jade, you must still be under the impression that high cholesterol is the cause of heart disease. Saturated fat is not the cause of clogged arteries. Please do your research before you try insulting someone.
  • sharonsjones
    sharonsjones Posts: 574 Member
    I ate turkey bacon once when I was younger and it made me so sick that I have never tried it again.

    Now I eat center cut bacon! A 3 slice serving of Oscar Meyer center cut bacon has 70cal, 4.5g fat (1.5g saturated), 270mg sodium, 7g protein. It's much leaner than the regular stuff, and super yummy! The only downside is that is can be a bit more expensive. I stock up when it goes on sale :)

    I used to eat turkey bacon until I discovered center cut bacon. I love it!!
  • trouserchili
    trouserchili Posts: 42
    DK is correct.

    Jade, you must still be under the impression that high cholesterol is the cause of heart disease. Saturated fat is not the cause of clogged arteries. Please do your research before you try insulting someone.

    +1
  • gurlondrums
    gurlondrums Posts: 187
    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).

    Totally agree with you there.
  • jllipson
    jllipson Posts: 646
    When I buy bacon, it's low sodium Oscar Mayer - or any others I may find, but not the turkey anymore. You're so right on the label reading!
  • fudgebudget
    fudgebudget Posts: 198 Member
    I like both regular bacon and turkey bacon. However, I buy all natural turkey bacon- the ingredients are: Turkey, Water, Sea Salt, Celery Powder, Organic Evaporated Cane Syrup, Organic Onion Powder.

    Not exactly scary stuff.

    I try not to eat a ton of processed meats, so I eat both turkey and pig bacon in moderation.

    Just FYI - celery powder = nitrites, it's just a natural source of them. I hate the "no nitrites/nitrates" claim on so many "natural" products.
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