Bacon is helpful in the ketogenic diet. This is because it has a good ratio of macros fat and protein. Additionally, the sodium content in bacon is just the right amount for diets that are low in carbs.
You however still need to pick the right bacon for a keto diet that is available on the market. Therefore, eating bacon in moderation is the way to go if you want to benefit from the ketogenic diet.
IS BACON BAD FOR KETO?
You can have bacon while on a ketogenic diet. Your meat cuts should be from a pig that was either grass-fed or cage-free but not stuffed with growth hormones or antibiotics to ensure the meat’s quality. So, we are here to encourage you to have your bacon and also eat it.
IS BACON DIRTY KETO?
The short answer is yes. Dirty keto is a term used to refer to a fast-food version of the keto diet. It is made up of processed foods that are rich in fat and low in carbohydrates. Dirty keto staple items include sliced full-fat cheese, Egg McMuffins, beef jerky, and of course bacon cheeseburgers.
WHAT IS THE BEST BACON TO EAT WHILE ON KETO?
In as much as it is okay to eat bacon on a keto, you still need to consider the types and various brands that are out there and which are keto-friendly. These can be found online or in the healthy food aisle of any supermarket. When out shopping for the best bacon that is keto-approved, you need to consider the following factors.
First, you need to choose bacon products that have zero added sugars or nitrates. This is because added sugars aside from spiking your blood sugar levels and being overly bad for your health, also kick you out of ketosis hence sabotaging your keto efforts. This makes Maple bacon a no-no for a ketogenic dieter as it contains added sugars. Nitrates on the other hand increase the risk of getting certain types of cancers in the long run. Therefore, pick a bacon brand that treats the bacon using natural methods.
Check the net carbohydrate content. Yes, bacon is known to have low carbs, but you just have to confirm with the nutritional content label just to ensure it is so and that no sweeteners or sugars have been added. While doing so, do not forget to read the fat content and sodium levels too.
The availability and pricing matter too, but of importance are the ingredients and whether they are good for you as someone on a keto diet and whether they are good for your health generally.
If you can find the same product from a different brand that meets the above-mentioned criteria and will not make you dig deeper into your pockets, then why not? And if you can find a product in an online store that is a little bit costly and furthermore requires shipment costs but ticks the above-mentioned boxes, then why not spend some extra cash for your own safety?
Lastly, keep an eye out for whether the bacon products are organic or natural, and cured or uncured. Cured bacon is known to include nitrates in its preservation process, so as to increase its shelf life. The uncured one on the other hand utilizes salt only hence having a much shorter shelf life as compared to the former. This should not deter you however from picking it because your health is of much more importance.
The following are some of the best bacon products and brands to consider when following a ketogenic lifestyle.
Applegate Naturals no-sugar bacon: This specific product is the go-to option for a keto diet because it has no added sugars and is uncured. This, therefore, means that it has zero nitrates and net carbs. It uses sea salt only in its preservation.
In addition, it has just the perfect mixture of taste and nutritional value, it is hardwood, affordable, and is readily available in almost every food and grocery store. For every strip of bacon, you get 30 calories, 2.5 grams of total fat, and 2grams of proteins, and 145mgs of sodium.
However, it has really low amounts of minerals and vitamins, close to zero even, but at least you are getting the fat and the protein for your diet plan, which your body needs.
Pederson’s Natural Farms sugar-free bacon: This product is a great fit for a keto dieter. It is uncured and hence has zero nitrates and nitrites. It is also free from gluten, lactose, and MSG and is hickory smoked.
Additionally, it does not contain any artificial ingredients or preservatives and is minimally processed. Its ingredients include just pork, which is free from growth hormones and antibiotics, water, and less than 2 percent salt vinegar and celery powder.
Epic uncured hickory bacon bits: There are those who prefer bacon bits to bacon strips and Epic gives just that. It is one of the best brands offering bacon bits, especially for a keto dieter because the meat cuts are from pigs that have been raised inhumane conditions. It has no gluten, soy, or carbs.
It is a great addition to a sandwich, burger, or salad topping because it has that salty and smoky flavor. Furthermore, it boasts of healthy omega fats and is rich in protein. Per nine bacon bits, you get 2grams of proteins, 60mg of sodium, 30calories, and 2grams of total fat.
Burgers’ Smokehouse dry-cured country bacon: This product is an ideal keto diet partner because they have no gluten, is free from net carbs and nitrates, and has zero added sugars. Also, it is widely distributed in food stores. For a slice of bacon, you get 4 grams of total fat, 3 grams of protein, 120mg of sodium, and 50 calories.
CAN I EAT BACON AND EGGS EVERY DAY WHILE ON KETO?
Because ketosis requires one’s body to typically run on fat as its primary energy source and not glucose, it requires one to eat a fairly high amount of fat from animal products. These can include butter, cream, and bacon.
Therefore, throwing in some eggs which are known to contain lots of fats and proteins, is not such a bad idea. The key however is doing so in moderation as you have to watch out for the cholesterol too. Moreover, when making the bacon omelet, you should go for the whole eggs containing omega 3. It is good even if you have them throughout the day as they are not just for breakfast.
IS IT UNHEALTHY TO EAT BACON EVERY DAY ON KETO?
Bacon is rich in fat, making it the go-to option for breakfast for someone who is on keto. Also, it has low carbs and is overall keto-friendly. It has about 50 percent monounsaturated fats, with a big portion of it being made up of oleic acid. Therefore, it is not all that unhealthy if consumed in moderation.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU EAT NOTHING BUT BACON FOR 30DAYS STRAIGHT?
When you eat nothing but bacon, you will simply be having a keto diet that is significantly low in carbohydrates. This should lead to a massive amount of weight loss. we however don’t recommend this as your body requires other vital macros and nutrients that a pure diet of only bacon cant provide.
CAN I LOSE WEIGHT EATING BACON?
It is possible to lose weight while eating bacon on a keto diet. You have to however choose the leanest, high flavor cut and eat in moderation.
Remember while on keto you should keep track of the net carbs you consume. Every bacon brand contains some carbs other more than others. Therefore don’t consume too much bacon as that might kick you out of ketosis or slow down your weight loss.
IS CRISPY BACON BAD?
There is this belief that goes way back that states that eating too much crispy bacon even on keto causes cancers. There have been recent studies to determine whether this is true or not but are yet to come up with conclusive answers. What is true however is the fact that when cooking bacon till it is golden brown, will help it lose more of the fact that you might otherwise have consumed if you had not left it to cook till it was crispy.
WHAT CAN YOU EAT INSTEAD OF BACON WHILE ON KETO?
As much as bacon is high in protein and fat and is delicious for a keto dieter, it is still processed meat that has high fat, salt, and cholesterol contents which are associated with the development of heart disease. There are other alternatives to bacon that are healthy. These include the following meat bacon substitutes.
The salmon rashers: These are high in omega-3 and low in saturated fats as compared to regular bacon.
Turkey bacon: These are smoked turkey meat that is cured and has fewer calories and fat as compared to regular bacon. For 15g of turkey bacon, one gets approximately 60calories, 4.5g of total fat, and 4.7g of proteins, which is ideal for a keto diet.
Related post: IS PORK BELLY GOOD OR BAD FOR YOU?
SUMMARY
Bacon is an animal protein that contains high amounts of fat. For a single serving of bacon, you will get that it does not have that many calories, but it will contain high levels of saturated fat, which is the bad fat, and close to a quarter of the sodium content that is allowed daily for a keto dieter. Also, all bacon is not made the same based on various brands, and one who is on a restrictive diet like keto should definitely watch out for the ingredients before purchasing a bacon product.
