Is Turkey Bacon Healthy? Nutrition, Calories and More
Turkey bacon is often praised as a healthier alternative to traditional pork bacon.
It’s made by shaping a seasoned mixture of finely chopped turkey into strips that resemble traditional bacon.
Though it contains less fat and fewer calories, turkey bacon is still highly processed and may contain ingredients that may not be ideal for your health if eaten in large amounts.
This article reviews the nutritional profile of turkey bacon, determining whether it’s truly a healthier choice.
Turkey bacon is available at most grocery stores as an alternative to classic pork bacon.
It’s made by chopping or grinding turkey meat, adding seasonings and preservatives and then pressing the mix into bacon-like strips.
Some manufacturers even use stripes of light and dark meat to mimic the look of traditional bacon pieces.
You can cook it the same way as traditional bacon. It’s typically pan-fried, microwaved or baked in the oven until golden and crispy.
Here’s a comparison of the nutrient content of one microwaved slice of turkey and pork bacon (2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source):
Because turkey is leaner than pork belly, turkey bacon contains fewer calories and less fat than pork bacon.
Both products come from animal proteins, so they’re relatively good sources of B vitamins and minerals like zinc, selenium and phosphorus.
However,
since bacon is usually eaten in small serving sizes, none of the
vitamins and minerals found in a slice of turkey bacon exceed 10% of the
daily value (DV).
Additionally, most bacon — whether made from turkey or pork — contains added sugar unless it’s labeled as “no sugar added.”
Turkey
and pork bacon products also contain preservatives — especially
nitrates or nitrites — which slow spoilage, enhance the pink color of
the meat and contribute to taste.
Natural
or organic products cannot use synthetic preservatives, so they often
contain celery powder — a natural source of nitrates — as a preservative
instead.
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Turkey bacon can be a good fit for some people, especially those with special dietary needs.
Turkey bacon has slightly fewer calories and fat than pork bacon and can be a good substitute for people on special diets or who can’t eat pork.
Yet, it’s a processed meat with less protein and more added sugar than regular bacon and may contain preservatives that have been linked to increased cancer risk.
Though you can find more natural options, it’s still best to enjoy turkey bacon in moderation.
