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 ketogenic diet has become one of the most popular low-carb diets offering impressive weight loss results. With its emphasis on high fat and low carbs, bacon seems like an ideal keto-friendly food. But is eating bacon everyday on keto recommended or healthy?
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about eating bacon daily on a ketogenic diet including:
- An overview of bacon nutrition
- The benefits of bacon for keto
- How much bacon you can eat per day
- Potential downsides to watch out for
- Tips for choosing quality bacon
- Creative ways to enjoy bacon on keto
- Sample keto meal ideas with bacon
Let’s dive in and find out if you can indulge in delicious bacon every day while following the ketogenic diet,
An Overview of Bacon Nutrition Facts
Before determining if bacon is keto-approved let’s review its nutritional value. On average, a single slice of pan-fried bacon (about 1 ounce or 28 grams) contains
- Calories: 41
- Fat: 3 grams
- Protein: 3 grams
- Carbs: 0 grams
- Sodium: 149 mg
As you can see, bacon is very low in carbs and high in fat, making it a perfect keto food. The protein also provides key nutrients without disrupting ketosis. Bacon contains B vitamins, zinc, potassium and magnesium as well.
Just watch portion sizes, as the calories and sodium can quickly add up. Now let’s explore the benefits of bacon for keto success.
Why Bacon is Beneficial on Keto
Breakfast foods like bacon can be part of a healthy keto diet for a number of reasons:
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Provides fat for energy: The high fat content helps meet your daily macros and gives your body the fuel it needs in ketosis.
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Increases satiety: All that fat keeps you feeling full and satisfied for hours after eating.
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Adds flavor: Bacon makes vegetables, salads, eggs and more taste delicious. This helps you stick to the diet.
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Contains protein: Bacon provides a good protein boost without excess carbs.
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Provides nutrients: Bacon contains important vitamins and minerals (especially B vitamins).
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Easy to find: Bacon is convenient, inexpensive and found everywhere.
Thanks to all these benefits, bacon can absolutely be enjoyed daily on a well-formulated ketogenic diet. Moderation and quality are key, which brings us to portion recommendations.
How Much Bacon Can You Eat on Keto Per Day?
Bacon is keto-approved, but that doesn’t mean you can eat unlimited amounts. Here are some general portion guidelines for bacon on a keto diet:
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2-3 slices per day is reasonable for most people. This gives you about 6-9 grams of fat and protein.
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Don’t exceed 4 ounces (about 6 slices) daily to keep calories from getting too high.
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Listen to your body. If you feel ill, bloated or gain weight, cut back.
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Balance with nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, nuts and seeds. Don’t rely solely on bacon.
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Avoid eating an entire pack in one sitting. This can hinder weight loss.
Sticking to about 2-3 slices with your daily meals allows you to reap bacon’s benefits while maintaining a well-rounded keto diet. Next, let’s go over some potential drawbacks to be aware of.
Potential Downsides to Eating Bacon Every Day on Keto
While delicious and keto-friendly, there are some potential cons associated with eating bacon every single day:
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High in saturated fat – Can raise cholesterol levels in some individuals when eaten in excess.
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High in sodium – May cause fluid retention and increased blood pressure.
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Nitrates/preservatives – Most bacon contains potentially harmful additives like sugar, MSG and nitrates.
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Inflammation – All pork, including bacon, may cause inflammation in people with sensitivities.
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Stalling weight loss – Eating too much bacon and not enough veggies can prevent ketosis.
To mitigate these risks, choose high-quality bacon in moderation, drink plenty of water and include lots of low-carb veggies in your diet. Consulting your doctor is also wise to address any health concerns.
Tips for Choosing Quality Bacon on Keto
Not all bacon is created equal when it comes to nutrition and ingredients. Here are some tips for picking healthy bacon for keto:
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Seek out uncured bacon without added nitrates or nitrites.
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Choose certified organic and antibiotic-free.
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Check the ingredient label and avoid added sugars or preservatives.
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Opt for fattier cuts like thick-sliced bacon which has more fat.
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Look for pasture-raised, free-range pork. This has a better fatty acid profile.
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Find lower-sodium options to minimize bloating.
Put in a little extra effort to find quality bacon without fillers that aligns with your health goals on keto.
Creative Ways to Enjoy Bacon on Keto
While bacon is delicious eaten plain, getting creative can prevent boredom. Here are unique ways to work it into keto meals and snacks:
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Wrap asparagus, Brussels sprouts or chicken in bacon and roast
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Use bacon fat to cook eggs, vegetables or meat
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Make candied bacon chips or bacon jerky for snacking
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Add crumbled bacon to salads, soups or low-carb pizza
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Stuff mushrooms with bacon and cream cheese
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Mix into keto egg drop soup or loaded cauliflower soup
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Simmer chopped bacon into bone broth for more flavor
With some imagination, you can spice up your keto meals and enjoy new flavors.
Sample Keto Meal Ideas with Bacon
Here are a few keto meal ideas that incorporate delicious bacon:
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BLT salad – Romaine lettuce, bacon, tomato, avocado and ranch dressing
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Bacon cheeseburger casserole – Ground beef, cheese, bacon crumbles, topped with fried eggs
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Bacon avocado toast – Bacon and avocado on low-carb seed bread
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Bacon egg cups – Bacon, eggs and cheese baked in muffin cups
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Bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers – Filled with cream cheese and cheddar
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Loaded cauliflower soup – With bacon, cream and shredded cheddar
As you can see, the possibilities are endless for enjoying bacon while following a keto diet.
The Verdict: Bacon as Part of a Keto Diet
In conclusion, not only can you eat bacon every day on keto – it is encouraged in moderation to boost fat intake. Bacon offers a tasty source of fats and protein without disrupting ketosis. Just be mindful of portion size, choose high-quality ingredients, and balance with plenty of low-carb vegetables.
Limit intake to 2-3 slices daily, watch for potential side effects, and experiment with creative ways to enjoy bacon at mealtime. With the right approach, bacon can be a healthy addition to your ketogenic diet. As always, consult your doctor with any concerns around your personal nutrition needs and health status. Bacon on!
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.
What If You Eat BACON Every Day For 30 Days?
FAQ
How many slices of bacon can you have on a keto diet?
Will bacon take you out of ketosis?
Can you just eat bacon on keto?
What foods are unlimited on keto?
Can you eat bacon on a keto diet?
Ideally, the ingredients should be pork, salt, and natural curing agents, if applicable — no need for anything else. Opt for fattier cuts of bacon to incorporate more fat and less protein in your keto diet. Look for bacon from fattier parts of the pig, like pork belly. Aim for bacon with a 70/30 or 60/40 fat-to-protein ratio.
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.
Is Bacon a good source of energy on a keto diet?
Bacon varies greatly depending on the curing process, the cut of meat used, and the preparation method. Pork Bacon: This is your regular bacon, sliced from the pork belly, high in fatty acids, and always a favorite food for bacon lovers. Its fat content and high protein content make it a good source of energy for keto dieters.
Are bacon & eggs keto?
Bacon and eggs is a staple ketogenic breakfast for many people on the keto diet, so I figured I’d add this in here to really let you take it to the next level! The key to great scrambled eggs is to never overcook, and always add more richness to them. This one will be sure to please anyone you serve them up to, keto dieters or not.