“Certainly bacon is not a health food, and I don't advise consuming it on a daily basis,” she says. “But if you eat a couple strips of bacon at brunch on the weekend, I don't think it's going to present a significant health risk—as long as your overall diet is sensible and healthy.”
While bacon is flavorful and a breakfast favorite among many, it shouldn't be something you eat regularly. High in saturated fat, just 3–4 slices of bacon represents about a fifth of your daily limit for saturated fat.
How much bacon is safe to eat? The current advice from the NHS recommends that if you currently eat more than 90g (cooked weight) of red and processed meats a day, you should cut it down to 70g a day.
Eating just one slice of bacon a day linked to higher risk of colorectal cancer, says study. Eating even a moderate amount of red or processed meat is linked with an increased risk of colorectal, or bowel, cancer, according to a new study published Wednesday.
The healthiest way to cook bacon is to cook it until crispy (but not burned), which allows the most fat to melt off. Then, drain it on a paper towel or brown paper bag to remove even more fat before eating.
Science Backs Bacon
In order to reduce abdominal fat, high triglyceride levels, and insulin resistance (all of which are linked to weight gain), a higher fat breakfast comprising bacon may be the way to go.
“Certainly bacon is not a health food, and I don't advise consuming it on a daily basis,” she says. “But if you eat a couple strips of bacon at brunch on the weekend, I don't think it's going to present a significant health risk—as long as your overall diet is sensible and healthy.”
Bacon contains some essential micronutrients, including potassium, which supports bone health, heart health, muscle strength and prevents high blood pressure. You can also find over 50% of the RDA of two essential minerals in bacon; selenium and phosphorus.
Eggs are not only high in protein, they also contain many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. So, bacon and eggs really can be a healthy breakfast option, if eaten in moderation.
"Bacon and other highly processed, fatty meats, kill off healthy gut bacteria." So take Mowrer's advice and feel free to include bacon sporadically in your diet—just make sure you're always prioritizing real, whole foods at every meal. For more, see The Best Way to Eat for your Microbiome and Improve Gut Health.
“Bacon tastes fantastic but it's high in salt and it'll drive up your blood pressure,” he adds. “It's high in fat and will elevate your cholesterol if it's consumed frequently. And both of those lead to heart problems.”
Two cooked slices have 62 calories, as opposed to 82 calories for two pork bacon slices. Pork bacon is lower in carbohydrates, with . 2 grams in two strips versus . 5 grams of carbs in two turkey bacon strips.
“Bacon is high in purine. The body converts purine to uric acid. If uric acid builds too quickly and can't be eliminated, it deposits as crystals in the tissues. That's what cause the intense joint pain, swelling, redness, and possible temporary immobility.”
Bacon is an excellent source of high protein, low carbohydrate energy that helps to reset metabolism, making weight loss much easier and is helpful in building muscle tissues that are lean and strong.
A serving size is equal to about 1 medium strip of bacon. That small serving will provide you with: Calories: 32. Fat: 2 grams.
Processed meats are meats that have been preserved by smoking or salting, curing or adding chemical preservatives. They include deli meats, bacon and hot dogs. Eating processed meats increases your cancer risk. Unfortunately, when these processed meats are preserved, cancer-causing substances form.
Eating too much bacon, sausages, hot dogs, canned meat, or lunch meat—meat that has been processed in some way to preserve or flavor it—is bad for health, according to experts. A number of studies have found links between processed meat and various forms of cancer, as well as heart disease and diabetes.
Bacon is a good source of protein and contains nine of the essential amino acids, making it a complete source of protein. Low in carbohydrates, a slice of bacon has three grams of protein and zero carbohydrates.
The calories and saturated fat in bacon might give you pause, but indulging in bacon and eggs for breakfast a few times a week can definitely be part of a healthy, hearty diet.
Nutritionally speaking, bacon fat is actually lower in saturated fat and higher in the good monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats than butter.