Nutrition in Low Sodium Bacon
- Sodium Content Sodium is not necessarily bad. ...
- Carbohydrates and Protein Low-carb dieters often add foods like bacon to their diet plans because it is low in carbs and high in protein. ...
- Fat Fat content is an area of concern with bacon. ...
- Cholesterol Cholesterol content in foods is another point of concern when it comes to heart disease. ...
- Caloric Content ...
Full Answer
Is low sodium bacon better for you?
Although its taste is unbeatable, bacon is not traditionally your best choice for a protein because it's high in fat, calories, sodium and nitrates. Fear not,though, bacon lovers - there are a few healthier options out there that still taste great, too! You best bacon choice is uncured, reduced-sodium center cut bacon.
Can I eat low sodium bacon?
Two slices of low sodium bacon contains 200 milligrams of sodium. In contrast, regular bacon contains about 385 milligrams of sodium per two-slice serving. The recommended daily intake is no more than 2,300 milligrams a day for healthy adults and 1,500 milligrams or less for people with high blood pressure.
What brand of bacon has the lowest sodium?
Land salt out. Sea salt in. By using sea salt, you get more natural ingredients and the same taste landlubbers love with 50% less sodium.
Is there such a thing as salt free bacon?
As Melanie Abel, director of marketing at Smithfield Foods, the leading U.S. producer of packaged pork products, explained, “Since all bacon is preserved with either smoke or salt, there really is no such thing as uncured bacon.
How do you remove sodium from bacon?
If you want to cut back on the salty flavor of your bacon, try soaking it in cold water for a couple of hours before you cook it. Just be careful not to overdo it, as you'll be losing some of the delectably smoky taste as well.
What can you eat instead of bacon?
Whether you've run out or you're simply looking for a healthier alternative, here's what to use instead of bacon.Prosciutto. This Italian ham is lower in fat and cholesterol but does have the same amount of salt. ... Beef Bacon. ... Pancetta. ... Turkey Bacon. ... Duck Bacon. ... Capicola. ... Salmon Rashers. ... Fish Skin Bacon.More items...•
What is the healthiest bacon you can eat?
Buy uncured bacon The first thing I want to look for when trying to eat healthier bacon is to buy uncured bacon. This is bacon that has not had any added sodium nitrate to it. This is what most bacon makers as to their bacon to preserve and color the bacon - gives it that nice bright pink color.
What meat is the lowest in sodium?
Low-sodium, kidney-friendly meats, poultry, seafood and dairyFood typeAverage sodium amount per servingBeef, no added salt45-65 mg (3 ounces)Chicken, skinless and grilled, no added salt20-80 mg (3 ounces)Egg whites, cooked55 mg (large)Fish (catfish, cod, crab, halibut, shrimp, tuna)40-200 mg (3 ounces)1 more row
How much salt is allowed in a low sodium diet?
When limiting sodium in your diet, a common target is to eat less than 2,000 milligrams of sodium per day.
Does soaking bacon water remove salt?
Blanching or just soaking in water helps remove salt. I cure my own bacon and smoke it.
Can you boil salt out of bacon?
To remove salt from bacon quickly, you should: Boil some water and pour it over the bacon so that it's fully submerged. Stir gently and wait for 2 minutes. Rinse and drain. Boil some more water and submerge the bacon again for 1 minute.
Is turkey bacon lower in sodium?
With roughly the same amount of protein in bacon and turkey bacon (20 grams and 17 grams, respectively), turkey bacon actually has a higher sodium content, containing 1,900 milligrams, while regular bacon only contains 1,300. The fat content differs between the two options.
How much salt is allowed in a low sodium diet?
When limiting sodium in your diet, a common target is to eat less than 2,000 milligrams of sodium per day.
Does soaking bacon water remove salt?
Blanching or just soaking in water helps remove salt. I cure my own bacon and smoke it.
What meat is the lowest in sodium?
Low-sodium, kidney-friendly meats, poultry, seafood and dairyFood typeAverage sodium amount per servingBeef, no added salt45-65 mg (3 ounces)Chicken, skinless and grilled, no added salt20-80 mg (3 ounces)Egg whites, cooked55 mg (large)Fish (catfish, cod, crab, halibut, shrimp, tuna)40-200 mg (3 ounces)1 more row
What are low sodium breakfast foods?
Low Sodium Breakfast IdeasGrains. Grains supply fiber, which keeps you feeling full -- and they're also low in sodium. ... Eggs. Eggs are low in sodium and high in protein, and prepared correctly they are a low-sodium breakfast option. ... Fruits and Vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are naturally low in sodium. ... Meat.
What is the most common concern about bacon?
One of the most common concerns about bacon is the sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite it contains.
How much salt is in bacon?
However, it is also possible to find low-sodium bacon products; five slices of low-sodium bacon offers only 1030 mg of salt (around 15% of the recommended daily intake) ( 25 ).
How many grams of protein is in bacon?
Per 100 grams, cooked bacon offers 37 grams of protein. This amount is equal to approximately 15 grams of protein per five slices of bacon.
How many nitrosamines are in bacon?
A slice of bacon fried at 171°C to 206°C (339°F to 403°F) contained 11 ng of nitrosamines per gram.
What is the fat in bacon?
Interestingly, though, monounsaturated fatty acids are the primary source of fat in bacon, and the most prevalent of these is oleic acid.
How much glycine is in bacon?
Bacon also contains a significant amount of glycine—2700 mg per 100 grams —which makes it among the best dietary sources of this amino acid ( 17 ).
How much B vitamins are in bacon?
Among these nutrients, 100 grams (3.5 oz) of bacon provides particularly high amounts of ( 1 ); B vitamins (especially niacin/B3): 56% of the daily value. Selenium: 89% of the daily value.
What are the nutrients in bacon?
Meat tends to be very nutritious and bacon is no exception. A typical 3.5-ounce (100-gram) portion of cooked bacon contains ( 8 ): 1 37 grams of high-quality animal protein 2 Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12 3 89% of the RDA for selenium 4 53% of the RDA for phosphorus 5 Decent amounts of the minerals iron, magnesium, zinc and potassium
How much fat is in bacon?
The remaining fat in bacon is 40% saturated and 10% polyunsaturated, accompanied by a decent amount of cholesterol.
What is bacon made of?
There are different types of bacon and the final product can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Bacon is made from pork, although you can also find similar products like turkey bacon. Bacon typically goes through a curing process, during which the meat is soaked in a solution of salt, nitrates and sometimes sugar.
How to preserve bacon?
Curing and smoking are ways to preserve the meat, but these processing methods also contribute to the characteristic taste of bacon and help preserve its red color. Adding salt and nitrates makes the meat an unfriendly environment for bacteria to grow. As a result, bacon has a much longer shelf life than fresh pork.
How many grams of protein are in bacon?
Meat tends to be very nutritious and bacon is no exception. A typical 3.5-ounce (100-gram) portion of cooked bacon contains ( 8 ): 37 grams of high-quality animal protein. Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12. 89% of the RDA for selenium. 53% of the RDA for phosphorus.
Is bacon longer than pork?
As a result, bacon has a much longer shelf life than fresh pork. Bacon is a processed meat, but the amount of processing and the ingredients used vary between manufacturers. Summary. Bacon is made from pork and goes through a curing process where it is soaked in salt, nitrates and other ingredients.
Is bacon high in nitrosamines?
Fried bacon may be high in nitrosamines, which are car cinogenic. However, food producers have managed to reduce the nitrosamine content significantly by adding vitamin C.
What is cured bacon?
In bacon jargon, cured refers to bacon that has been treated commercially with sodium nitrites to preserve it, add flavor, and give bacon its color.
Which is better, bacon or lettuce?
According to an eye-opening 2015 article by Scientific American, when ranking the environmental friendliness of your favorite BLT co-stars, bacon rated higher than lettuce. [11]
How is Bacon Made?
To understand the health risks associated with bacon it’s important to know how bacon is made.
Why is choline important for bacon?
This matters because choline is a compound that offers antioxidant activity superior to Vitamin E. It’s the reason why lard and bacon fat resist rancidity from free radicals that would otherwise oxidize them. [14] Protecting fats from oxidation makes it so they don’t turn into substances that can cause inflammation when consumed. [15]
How do nitrites become harmful?
Nitrites can become harmful when they are transformed by high-heat into nitrosamines. [5]
How many ounces of bacon is 100 grams?
Meat tends to be very nutritious and bacon is no exception. A typical 3.5-ounce (100-gram) portion of cooked bacon contains:
Where did bacon originate?
The history of salted pork belly can be traced back to ancient China. But bacon’s starring role on American breakfast tables is thanks to the “Godfather of the Pork Industry,” Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto.
Does pork have salt?
In addition to fat, this pork product packs in a ton of salt.
Does meat affect sperm quality?
This claim comes on the heels of another study published through The American Society For Reproductive Medicine, which found that the consumption of processed meat led to poorer sperm quality.
Is bacon bad for you?
We caught up with a handful of experts to uncover the true nature of bacon, and as it turns out, this one-of-a-kind breakfast side presents more dangers than you could have imagined. If you love to start your day with a few strips of bacon, make sure to take these side effects to heart and avoid overindulging in this item that has the potential to cause some serious long-term damage.
How much sodium is in bacon?
The FDA says sodium intake should be 2300 mg/day or less. Some bacon brands contain up to 20 percent of your daily value of sodium in just two slices. Thick cut vs thin cut. Thick cut means more bacon in fewer slices. That means more sodium, more fat, more calories.
Why is sodium ascorbate added to bacon?
The USDA requires sodium ascorbate to be added to bacon if it was "pumped", in order to reduce the amount of free nitrate in the product (and reduce the resulting amount of nitrosamines).
How many calories are in a Hormel bacon sandwich?
At 110 calories for two slices, be mindful of how much you're consuming (four slices in a sandwich is 220 calories in bacon alone). The Hormel bacon contains sodium nitrite but also sodium erythorbate, which is a cure accelerator and stimulates color development in cured meat. Not ideal.
What are the ingredients in bacon?
You'll find sodium phosphates (retain moisture), sodium erythrobate (color and curing accelerator), and sodium nitrite on the list.
What is the process of injecting bacon into a smoker?
Brands that cut corners will inject bacon with this blend in a process called "pumping", which cuts down on the production time. Once curing is complete, it's onto smoking.
How long is Duroc bacon dry cured?
They use vegetarian feed and hand-inspect each animal to ensure ideal weight and size. After processing, the bacon is dry-cured for six days and smoked for 12 hours over applewood chips.
What is bacon made of?
American bacon is made from pork belly. You may see it called "streaky bacon" in other countries, because it has more fat stripes than, say, British bacon. The first step to making bacon is to cure it with a mix of salt, sugar, and seasonings.
Why is bacon high in sodium?
As registered dietitian Mark Windle at Fitness Savvy explained to The List, "Bacon is high in sodium because of the curing process. Excess sodium in the diet over time may contribute to high blood pressure and possibly the risk of stroke and cardiac issues.".
Why is bacon considered unhealthy?
Psychology Today also points out that although the saturated fat in bacon is traditionally considered unhealthy, it has a very important role to play, as it makes the other fats much more stable and less likely to oxidize. This is important because oxidized fat creates free radicals that can damage the body.
How much bacon does the average American eat?
consumers spend a staggering $5 billion on bacon annually, and the average American eats 18 pounds of bacon each year.
What percentage of bacon is monounsaturated?
According to Psychology Today, about 50 percent of the fat in bacon is monounsaturated, and the vast majority of that is oleic acid — the same fat that's so prized in olive oil. (For those keeping track, the remaining 10 percent of bacon fat is polyunsaturated.)
What is the nutritional value of bacon?
Bacon also contains a number of key micronutrients. According to Healthline, a 3.5-ounce serving contains 27 percent of your daily thiamin (vitamin B1) needs, 56 percent of your niacin (vitamin B3) needs, 17 percent of your vitamin B6 needs, and 21 percent of your vitamin B12 needs. It also provides 8 percent of your iron and magnesium requirements, 16 percent of your potassium requirement, and 23 percent of your zinc requirement.
Can you eat bacon every day?
If you're worried about heart disease, you shouldn't eat bacon every day. Shutterstock. Eating bacon every day could negatively impact your heart health . As registered dietitian Mark Windle at Fitness Savvy told The List, "40 percent of the fat in bacon is saturated. Saturated fat can lead to the development of plaques, ...
Does eating bacon every day make you gain weight?
Eating bacon every day could lead to weight gain. Bacon lovers, beware! Eating this breakfast food every day could cause you to pack on some pesky extra pounds. According to the energy balance model of weight control, whether you gain or lose weight is a matter of balancing calories in versus calories out.
How much salt is in bacon?
Sodium: If you don’t select reduced-sodium bacon, just a few slices can max out your daily recommended intake of salt – less than 1,500 milligrams according to the American Heart Association. Two ounces of turkey bacon has more than 1,900 milligrams of sodium. The same amount of pork bacon contains roughly 1,300 milligrams. In addition to increasing your risk of heart disease, high sodium intake raises the likelihood of kidney stones.
How much sodium is in turkey bacon?
Two ounces of turkey bacon has more than 1,900 milligrams of sodium. The same amount of pork bacon contains roughly 1,300 milligrams. In addition to increasing your risk of heart disease, high sodium intake raises the likelihood of kidney stones.
How to cook turkey bacon?
If you choose turkey bacon, follow these tips for the healthiest outcome: 1 Select reduced-sodium varieties. 2 Don’t add salt during the cooking process. 3 Use an indoor grill that allows fat to drip off (don’t pan-fry). 4 Don’t add oil or butter during cooking. 5 Drain cooked bacon on a paper towel to absorb excess grease.
How to get rid of grease in bacon?
Use an indoor grill that allows fat to drip off (don’t pan-fry). Don’t add oil or butter during cooking. Drain cooked bacon on a paper towel to absorb excess grease. “With any food that claims to be healthier, it’s important to be armed with the facts,” Jeffers says.
Where does pork bacon come from?
Pork bacon comes from the belly of a pig. Turkey bacon is dark and light meat turkey seasoned like bacon and pressed into bacon form.
Is turkey bacon bad for you?
In fact, opting for turkey bacon as the “healthier” choice can have a negative impact on your health.
Does pork bacon have zinc?
Pork also contains more selenium, a mineral that activates certain proteins associated with preventing cancer. Turkey and pork bacon contain roughly the same amount of zinc, which helps control gene activity.
Why is a low sodium diet important?
A low sodium diet is important for people with heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and many other health conditions. In fact, a low sodium diet is recommended for everyone in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
What spices are used in low sodium sausage?
Sage, thyme, red pepper flakes and even a touch of sweet from brown sugar help make this sausage delicious without the salt! Low sodium sausage is flavored with many tasty spices so you don’t miss the salt! This recipe is a great choice for people who need to follow a low sodium diet.
Can you leave out the egg in low sodium sausage?
I do recommend leaving out the egg if you plan to use this low sodium sausage recipe in ground form, rather than in a patty.
Is sausage bad for kidneys?
Sausage and other processed meats such as bacon, lunchmeat, bologna and salami are notoriously bad for kidneys. Sausage is usually packed with sodium, potassium and phosphate additives. But, you can make your own low sodium sausage at home for a more kidney friendly option!
Is it safe to make sausage with potassium?
Making your own sausage can help make sure there are no potas sium additives too! All meat has some potassium in it. Remember, potassium is only a concern if you have high blood levels. Work with your Registered Dietitian to know how much potassium is right for you.
Is turkey sausage healthier than pork sausage?
People often choose turkey sausage as a healthier option to por k or beef sausage. Turkey sausage and turkey bacon are usually lower in fat and calories compared to pork. However, turkey sausage and bacon are usually higher in sodium.
Is low sodium diet good for kidney disease?
This recipe is a great choice for people who need to follow a low sodium diet. A low sodium diet is important for people with heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and many other health conditions. In fact, a low sodium diet is recommended for everyone in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
