Turkey bacon is a popular alternative to traditional pork bacon, but many people are concerned about the calories it contains.

This blog post will explore the nutritional value of turkey bacon and how it compares to pork bacon in terms of calories.

We’ll also look at some tips on how to enjoy turkey bacon without compromising on taste or nutrition.

So if you’re looking for an alternative to pork bacon with fewer calories, then read on to learn more about turkey bacon calories. (1)

Turkey bacon calories are considered much healthier than that of the regular classic bacon. (2)

If you’re someone who loves bacon but wanting to stay away from super greasy high-fat foods, then a wonderful alternative to try is turkey bacon!

It is considered by many to be much healthier than pork bacon, and still very tasty!

History of turkey consumption:

Originally coming from North America, this domesticated bird long-lived in the wild from Canada north to Mexico south.

2300 years ago, Andeans were the first ones that domesticated turkeys for meat consumption. (3)

These birds were very prized by the ancient Aztecs which was served as fancy food for their king.

Nevertheless, turkey birds were not just praised for their delicious meat but also their feathers.

Those Mayan feather headdresses you probably saw in movies, were made using turkey feathers!

Later in the 16th century, a Spanish conqueror goes by the name “Hernan Cortez” was amazed by turkey and decided to bring live birds to Europe. (4)

What is Turkey bacon?

Turkey bacon is bacon that consists of parts from a turkey instead of the traditional pork.

It is cut up and ground into a mixture and formed to resemble the strips of bacon we are used to seeing on breakfast dishes.

Manufacturers have been known to use both light and dark turkey meat, grinding and shredding the meat into a fine mixture. (5)

Before the meat can be formed and pressed into the strips, spices and oils may be added to help preserve the turkey bacon.

It is initially prepared just like regular bacon.

You can cook it on the stove, microwave, or oven and wait till it becomes golden brown or darker in color.

Compared to the crispy crunch of regular pork bacon, sometimes turkey bacon does not have the same consistency and comes out a bit limper.

But fear not, you can still get it nice and crispy like regular bacon, just lengthen the amount of cooking time a little longer.

Taste of turkey bacon:

When you hear the word bacon, the first thing that comes to your mind is crunchiness, flavorful, salty, and sweet.

Even though it also has the word “bacon” in its name, turkey bacon differs from the taste of pig bacon.

Some would say it is inferior to the taste of real pig bacon because it contains less fat.

Instead of fat, turkey bacon has many other added ingredients to make up for the loss of flavor.

However, many people would choose turkey bacon over regular bacon because they think it’s healthier.

Turkey bacon calories:

Consuming large quantities of meat ensures the daily need for animal protein, but it can also be harmful to the arteries. (6)

Indeed, most red meat like beef contains a lot of fats and their fatty intake is very high.

However, with turkey meat, we are speaking about poultry which is known to have the least fats among meat. (7)

Particularly, it is considered lean white meat and a good source of nutrients.

Many people switched from classic pork bacon to turkey bacon.

This is because of the general health appeal and lower fat content of turkey bacon.

Due to that, many of those who are following a low-fat diet believe that turkey bacon is more saint!

The problem with pork bacon is that more than 60% of the calories come from fat. (8)

Also, half of those fats are saturated fat, which is believed to have a bad reputation for causing heart disease.

Even though new researches show that saturated fat is not all bad, people still consider it bad and want an alternative. (9)

However, the question is: is turkey bacon healthy compared to pork bacon?

Composition of turkey bacon:

You should first know that turkey bacon is not actually bacon!

Bacon is the name of a specific portion of pork that has been cured.

On the other hand, turkey bacon is more like a simulation of bacon.

This is due to the fact that turkey bacon doesn’t come from pork nor from a specific part of turkey meat.

Here is a list of ingredients used to make turkey bacon:  (10)

• Salt
• Sugar
• Water
• Sunflower oil
• Sodium nitrite
• Sodium phosphate
• Canola oil (rapeseed oil).
• Flavors
• Different parts of turkey meat dark and white.

Turkey bacon is a type of processed meat mainly made from turkey leftovers with some or all of the above ingredients.

Generally speaking, added sodium is an essential element of turkey bacon as it is necessary for conservation and taste.

Nutritional data of turkey bacon:

These nutritional data counts for 3 slices of turkey bacon (32g or 2oz) cooked in the oven: (11)

• Calories: 122
• Protein: 9.5g
• Cholesterol: 31.5mg
• Fat: 9g
• B1 vitamin: 7%
• B3 vitamin: 3%
• B6 vitamin: 8%
• B12 vitamin: 3%
• Copper: 2.5%
• Iron: 5%
• Magnesium: 2%
• Phosphorus: 15%
• Potassium: 5.5%
• Zinc: 7%
• Selenium: 13%

If you are thinking of starting a diet and wanting to cut calories, turkey bacon is a perfect candidate to add to your meal plans.

Let’s talk numbers… turkey bacon averages at around 25% fewer calories and 35% less saturated fat than pork bacon.

This is why it is favored among those who are watching their calorie and fat intake.

But like everything we eat, whether good or bad, we must maintain portion control.

Turkey bacon has essentially lower calories than pork bacon but it’s best to not go overboard with multiple slices.

Keep in mind that each strip contains 25-30 calories, and those will add up.

Another benefit is if you or someone you know is allergic to pork, turkey bacon is a great substitute.

It is also a popular choice for people abstaining from pork due to religion or other health issues.

Even though turkey bacon doesn’t taste exactly the same as pork bacon, by no means does that make it any less yummy.

Turkey bacon is still a slice of meat, just like pork bacon and if cooked correctly, will blow your mind.

Don’t be scared to try something new, you might just be surprised with how deliciously smokey, salty, and overall “bacony” it truly is!

Proteins:

The daily recommended intake of protein is about 2 to 3 servings according to the National Institute of Health.

Consuming turkey bacon in the oven helps you reach your daily goal of protein intake with up to 12.5g per serving.

Providing your body with its need for protein will help it build muscles, produce hormones, and make you feel fuller for a longer time. (12)

Vitamins:

Turkey bacon in the oven still contains most of its vitamins, especially of the B group.

Just one serving of turkey bacon (2oz or 55g or 5 slices) contains about 11.5% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin B3.

In addition, the same amount of turkey bacon offers 10% of the daily need in vitamin B6. (13)

B vitamins promote healthy nerves and skin and affect the way the body uses calcium.

Minerals:

Turkey bacon is loaded in many minerals and especially Selenium.

This mineral has many health benefits due to its antioxidant properties.

Selenium gives your body more efficiency in fighting free radicals and aging.

It is also effective against heart disease, strokes, prostate and lung cancer, and atherosclerosis. (14)

One serving of turkey bacon cooked in the oven offers about 25% of the daily need in Selenium.

Baking Turkey bacon in the Oven:

One of the best techniques for cooking turkey bacon is inside the oven!

It’s considered to be the least messy and is super simple to prepare.

• First, get your baking dish or cookie pan out, lay a baking sheet on top, and then set the amount of turkey bacon strips on top of the parchment.
• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200c)
• When the oven is ready, place your strips inside and cook for 15-20 minutes, making sure to flip the strips over about halfway into the cooking time.
• Next, when the timer goes off, take the baking dish out and let the bacon cool off for a minute, while carefully patting them with a paper towel to get rid of excess fat.
• Finally, drizzle on some maple syrup and add some salt and pepper (or whatever is to your liking) and voila!

You don’t have to worry about bacon splattering or a pan to wash!

Tips and Precautions before consuming turkey bacon calories:

Possible side effects of turkey bacon:

One serving of cooked turkey bacon in the oven (2oz or 55g) contains more than 1.9g of sodium, almost 82% of the daily need. (15)

It should be noted that a diet high in sodium increases the risks of heart disease since it increases blood pressure.

Also, undercooked turkey may contain Salmonella, a harmful bacteria that causes trouble in the digestive system. (16)

Generally speaking, smoked meat increases the risk of numerous cancers, and this same fact applies to turkey bacon if it is smoked.

Beware of processed turkey bacon:

Most of the commercial turkey bacon is made with added ingredients to make it look like regular bacon and to add to its taste.

However, these ingredients are not always of good quality.

Consequently, this may affect the nutritional value of the turkey meat.

We recommend you buy sugar-free and nitrate-free turkey bacon, as those are healthier compared to other products. (17)

However, you should also know that such additives are not only found in turkey bacon but also in some other turkey products sold as “sliced turkey”.

Therefore, you should always look for more organic, fewer additives, and more natural products if you are looking for a healthier choice.

Tips for to avoid food poisoning from turkey bacon:

• Cooked turkey bacon that has been frozen need to be brought to room temperature before heating it.
• To avoid bacterial growth, turkey meat needs to be refrigerated, for 10 hours for a weight of 2lbs. (18)

Another idea is to soak turkey meat in cold water for 1 hour per 2lbs, while changing the water every half hour.

These techniques will kill most of the bacteria as cold is not a preferable environment for bacterial growth: (19)

• Specialists recommend that turkey bacon in the oven should be cooked at a temperature of at least 190°C (375°F).
• Cooked turkey bacon or meat, in general, should not be left for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
• Any leftovers should be refrigerated immediately.

 How to store turkey bacon:

When it comes to meat and seafood, they are best stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

For turkey bacon, you can either store it in the:

Fridge:

Fresh turkey bacon can be stored in its original packaging, in the lower part of the fridge for 2 weeks. (20)

Cooked turkey bacon should only be kept for 4 days in the refrigerator.

Freezer:

Freezing almost puts the lifespan on hold, for fresh turkey bacon you can freeze them for up to 1 year.

On the other hand, cooked turkey bacon is best only frozen for a maximum of 3 months. (21)

Conclusion:

Turkey bacon has fewer calories compared to pork bacon since it contains less fat.

This may make it a healthier option for people who are following a low-calorie diet or just can’t eat pork.

However, whether you made turkey bacon in the oven or just fried them with eggs, you should know it is not perfectly healthy meat.

It is a type of processed meat which means it contains added ingredients for preservation and flavor.

While you can find more natural options, you can still enjoy turkey bacon in moderation once in a while.

 

 

 

References:

(1): Is Turkey Bacon Healthy? Nutrition, Calories and More (healthline.com)
(2): AskUSDA
(3): The natural history of the turkey | Earth Archives
(4): Has The World Forgotten The Aztec Roots Of The Thanksgiving Turkey? (forbes.com)
(5): How Turkey Bacon Is Really Made (mashed.com)
(6): Adverse Effects Associated with Protein Intake above the Recommended Dietary Allowance for Adults – PMC (nih.gov)
(7): 17 Leanest Meat Proteins to Cook, Ranked | Men’s Journal (mensjournal.com)
(8): Bacon Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits (verywellfit.com)
(9): Benefits Of Saturated Fat (Yep, You Read That Right!) (themodelhealthshow.com)
(10): Original Turkey Bacon | Butterball
(11): Turkey bacon, cooked nutrition facts and analysis. (nutritionvalue.org)
(12): https://www.webmd.com/diet/benefits-protein
(13): Is Turkey Bacon Healthy? Nutrition, Calories and More (healthline.com)
(14): https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/atherosclerosis
(15): Turkey Bacon: How Healthy Is It Really? – Cleveland Clinic
(16): Salmonella: guidance, data and analysis – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
(17): Is Turkey Bacon Healthy? Here’s What a Nutritionist Says
(18): Advice on cooking a turkey safely | nidirect
(19): Can you get sick from undercooked turkey bacon? (foodly.tn)
(20): How Long Does Turkey Bacon Last? (Plus Storage Tips) – BENSA Bacon Lovers Society
(21): How Long is Turkey Bacon Good in the Fridge? (Has it Gone Bad?) (thegrillingdad.com)