Oh bacon, you insanely tasty treat, ready to be devoured at all times of the day. If you’ve heard of the keto diet and are wondering, “Is bacon keto?” before you decide to follow it, we support and admire you. This is a big decision for most people.
Let’s take a closer look at the ketogenic diet and see how our favorite food falls into that. We’ll also look at some tasty bacon recipes that will be sure to fill you up and make you smile.
The keto diet is all about eating high-fat, low-carb foods to achieve ketosis. But what about bacon and sausage, which are often eaten for breakfast? Can these meaty favorites fit into a ketogenic diet?
As a keto beginner, you may be wondering if you need to say goodbye to sizzling bacon and savory sausage patties After all, most dietary plans would limit these higher-calorie options. However, keto’s emphasis on fat and protein makes bacon and sausage ideal choices – if you select and prepare them correctly
Read on to learn if you can eat bacon and sausage on keto. We’ll talk about how to choose the right foods, the right amount to eat, how to prepare them, and any possible worries about processed meats. If you use them right, bacon and sausage can help you stay on the keto diet and make delicious low-carb breakfast options.
Why Bacon and Sausage Work Well for Keto
Let’s start with why bacon and sausage are a good fit for the keto diet in the first place
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High in fat – The keto diet needs fat to provide most of your daily calories and maintain ketosis, Bacon and sausage are both very high in fat
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Low carb – Non-breaded sausages and most bacon options contain minimal carbs, fitting keto requirements.
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Convenient protein – Bacon and sausage supply satisfying protein you need without excess carbs.
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Keto-friendly nutrients – Bacon provides B vitamins, magnesium, potassium; sausage has zinc, iron, calcium.
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Familiar flavors – You don’t have to give up these tasty breakfast meats you already love.
So nutrient-profile wise, bacon and sausage align nicely with keto goals. But to make them work well, you’ll need to fine-tune a few factors.
Choosing Products for Keto
Not all bacon and sausages fit a keto diet. Here are tips for selecting keto-friendly options:
Bacon
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Opt for uncured bacon without added sugars
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Look for bacon from pastured pork for better fat profile
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Avoid bacon with honey glazes or maple flavors
Sausage
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Seek sausages with 0g net carbs and no added sugars
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Look for pork sausages made from fatty cuts like shoulder
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Skip sausage with fillers like corn syrup, wheat, soy or milk solids
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Verify no breading or binding agents like potato starch
Reading labels is key to finding low-carb, high-fat bacon and sausages tailored to keto. Seek reputable sources like butchers or specialty markets with quality whole-food products.
Understanding Proper Portion Sizes
While bacon and sausage are keto-approved, portion control is still important. Here are suggested serving sizes:
- 2-3 slices bacon
- 2-3 sausage links
- 1⁄4 cup crumbled sausage
Limit yourself to these reasonable amounts as part of a balanced plate. Heaping piles of bacon or sausage at every meal can quickly add up in calories.
Preparing Bacon and Sausage for Keto
In addition to choosing products wisely, preparation method also matters:
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Cook thoroughly – Fully cook meats to remove any food safety risks from raw pork.
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Avoid high-fat cooking – Grilling, broiling, or baking are healthier than frying in oil.
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Spice it up – Flavor with herbs and spices instead of sugary sauces.
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Watch additions – Hold off on high-carb additions like pancakes, biscuits, etc. that can affect ketosis.
With mindful prep and ingredients, bacon and sausage can be perfect partners for keto success.
Potential Concerns About Processed Meats on Keto
While they can work for keto, bacon and sausage are still processed meats. Some drawbacks to consider:
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May be high in sodium, especially if cured products like deli meat
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Increased cancer risk has been associated with high processed meat intake
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Could contribute to cardiovascular issues depending on your health status
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May contain preservatives like nitrites that should be limited
To mitigate risks, use processed meats in moderation as part of an overall healthy keto plan. Choose uncured options when possible and balance intake with whole foods like vegetables.
Healthy Ways to Enjoy Bacon and Sausage on Keto
With a few precautions, bacon and sausage can add flavor to your keto diet. Here are some healthy preparation ideas:
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BLT lettuce wraps instead of sandwiches
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Brussels sprouts sautéed with bacon bits
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Egg muffin cups with crumbled sausage and veggies
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Bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers for keto snacking
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Cobb salad topped with crispy bacon crumbles
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Breakfast bowls with sausage, eggs, and avocado
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Zucchini and kale frittata with bacon slices
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Creamy cauliflower soup topped with bacon pieces
Get creative to enjoy bacon and sausage combined with nutritious low-carb ingredients. This helps reduce any health risks of processed meats while keeping your keto diet tasty.
The Takeaway: Enjoy in Moderation as Part of Healthy Keto
Bacon and sausage can be incorporated into a healthy keto diet when chosen mindfully and enjoyed in moderation. Keep these tips in mind:
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Select high-fat, low-carb products carefully
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Stick to reasonable portion sizes of 2-3 slices or links
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Cook using healthy methods like baking or grilling
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Balance with veggie sides and avoid high-carb additions
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Limit intake of processed pork overall for potential health reasons
While not dietary staples, bacon and sausage can provide an occasional protein boost and familiar comfort to keto breakfasts. With wisdom around preparation and moderation, you can enjoy these classics guilt-free as part of your successful low-carb, high-fat diet.
Can You Have Bacon on Keto?
The keto diet is rich in fats and proteins and low in carbs. For our fellow bacon-enthusiasts, the real beauty of the keto diet rests in one food — bacon.
If you want to know if bacon is keto, we can answer that question for you (and also tell you to eat it). Bacon, like other pork products, is high in fat, which makes it a great choice for a keto-friendly, low-carb breakfast. About 20% of the fat in bacon is monounsaturated, and a lot of it is oleic acid, which is the same fatty acid that olive oil is known for. While we’re on the topic of bacon health, it’s also fun to note that a typical 3. 5-ounce portion ofbacon contains:
- 37 grams of high-quality animal protein
- Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B12
- 89% of the recommended daily amount for selenium
- 53% of the recommended daily amount for phosphorus
- Amounts of the minerals iron, magnesium, zinc, and potassium
It’s true that you can have your bacon and eat it too with the keto diet.
OurNo-Sugar Signature Dry-Rub Uncured Bacon is as good as it gets. You’ll be glad to know that this Heritage Breed pork package is completely keto-friendly. It tastes hearty and rich. If you’re also wondering if bacon is paleo, we’re happy to say that our bacon is also paleo-approved! We took out the added sugar and artificial nitrates from this tasty breakfast side dish (or main dish, depending on your point of view) and made it paleo-approved. This is one of the main differences between cured and uncured bacon. When we did, we found those distinguished pork flavors and dry-rub ingredients did all the talking. It’s just pork, salt, celery powder, and spices in this bacon. We never add nitrates or nitrites,just those that naturally occur in the celery powder. Plus, we never add water, which means more delicious bacon per pound for you,bacon lover. Serve this alongside all your morning scrambles and omelets. Consider sprinkling bacon crumbles on top of your avocado salad at lunch. Even line your dinner plate with bacon wrapped green beans or asparagus. Whatever it is that fits your fancy, get creative pairing bacon with other nutritious ingredients!.
On the keto diet — and every diet, really — bacon isn’t just a breakfast food. When you’re following the keto lifestyle, bacon can be incorporated into breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack in-between.
When you’re following the keto diet, some classic dishes just call for an alteration or two. You can make a quick and easy cauliflower bacon casserole by swapping out the carb-filled noodles for cauliflower and adding cheese and bacon. Plus, you can make it ahead of time and eat it all week, which makes it a good choice for meal planning.
A simple but tasty dish, you can’t go wrong with bacon-wrapped asparagus. Wrap slices our bacon around some asparagus spears, and you’ll have a delightful, keto-friendly treat. You can wrap a few asparagus spears at a time, depending on how much bacon you like on them. This works well with the nice, thick slices you’ll find in our packages of bacon.
Bacon fans always love the wedge salad, and we’re happy to say that it’s easy to add to your list of keto-friendly recipes. Just cut your iceberg into wedges and put some thick blue cheese dressing, diced tomatoes, and red onion on top. Then add the crispy bacon as the last thing to finish.
It seems that bacon is sometimes wrongfully forgotten when it comes to soup. Since heavy cream and bacon are allowed on the keto diet, you can quickly make bacon soup. To make it stronger, add cheddar cheese and something green, like green onion or fresh chives. Make a big batch of bacon soup during cooler weather or to keep on hand for busy weeks.
Bacon Cream Cheese Jalapeno Poppers
Jalapeno poppers are a culinary delicacy, particularly when they’re paired with bacon and cream cheese. If you don’t like things very spicy, cut your jalapenos in half and take out the seeds. Then, fill them with a mixture of cream cheese and diced bacon bits. Finally, bake them. We’ll even go so far as to tell you — you can actually wrap them in bacon, too. Keep in mind this is a task reserved for only the biggest bacon fans in the crowd. But trust us when we say, it’s awesome and tasty and awesomely tasty.
Highly Processed Meat Danger? It’s not what you think…
FAQ
Can I eat sausage in a keto diet?
Can you eat bacon on a keto diet?
What is the best meat for keto diet?
Can you eat bacon if you’re sluggish on keto?
So, if you’re feeling sluggish on keto, try eating some bacon! It just might give you the boost you need. The best part about bacon is that it contains antioxidants that can help protect you from diseases like cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
Is coconut sugar allowed on the keto diet?
No, despite having a lower glycemic index than cane sugar, coconut sugar is still sugar and has a lot of carbohydrates, not being allowed in the ketogenic diet.
Should you add bacon to a keto diet?
Here’s are some more reasons why you should add bacon to your keto diet! Bacon is an excellent source of protein and fat, both of which are essential on the keto diet. Protein helps to build and repair tissues, while fat provides energy and helps to keep you satiated.
Can you eat cured bacon on a keto diet?
Conventionally cured bacon contains sugar and preservatives like sodium nitrates and nitrites. On keto, you want to avoid sugars and limit nitrates/nitrites. That’s why uncured bacon is a popular choice for a healthy diet.