Can You Have Bacon on Optavia?

Optavia is a popular weight loss program that utilizes meal replacements to help people lose weight. Many wonder if bacon is allowed on Optavia since it is a high-fat food. This article covers what Optavia is, its rules on bacon, Lean and Green meal guidelines, and how to add bacon flavors safely.

What is Optavia?

Optavia is a weight loss program developed by Medifast. It focuses on eating 6 small meals per day, including

• 5 Optavia fuelings: pre-packaged shakes, bars, soups, puddings, oatmeals
• 1 Lean and Green meal you prepare yourself

The Optavia fuelings give you calories, vitamins, and minerals to keep you healthy while keeping carbs, fats, and calories low to help you lose weight.

The Lean and Green meal incorporates lean protein, non-starchy vegetables, and healthy fats. This meal allows some flexibility and variety in food choices within the structured program.

Is Bacon Allowed on Optavia?

Rules set by Optavia say that regular pork bacon is not allowed on the program. Bacon is avoided for a few reasons:

• High in fat and calories—each slice of bacon has about 100 calories and 8 grams of fat, which goes against Optavia’s low-calorie plan.

• Heavily processed – Bacon contains artificial preservatives like sodium nitrite that are discouraged on the program.

• Not a complete protein – Bacon alone does not provide all essential amino acids found in lean proteins like chicken, fish, eggs, and plant proteins that are recommended.

So regular pork bacon, whether fried or baked, is not considered compliant with Optavia guidelines due to its high fat and calorie content and lack of nutritional completeness.

What About Turkey Bacon?

Turkey bacon is often viewed as a healthier alternative to regular pork bacon. Since it comes from lean turkey rather than fatty pork, it contains less saturated fat and fewer calories than regular bacon.

Some key differences between pork and turkey bacon:

• Pork bacon has 43 calories and 3.7g fat per slice. Turkey bacon has 30 calories and 1.5g fat.

• Pork bacon is 35% fat by weight while turkey bacon averages 10% fat.

• Turkey bacon provides more complete lean protein similar to Optavia’s recommended protein foods.

While turkey bacon is still considered a processed food, its improved nutrition facts make it more aligned with Optavia’s lean protein guidelines. Two slices of turkey bacon can be incorporated into the Lean and Green meal as the 1 Condiment serving allowed. This provides a great way to get smoky, salty, bacon flavor while remaining compliant with Optavia’s rules.

Optavia Lean and Green Meal Guidelines

To better understand how turkey bacon fits into the Optavia program, let’s take a closer look at the Lean and Green meal:

• 5-7 ounces of lean protein: chicken, fish, eggs, plant proteins like tofu and tempeh

• 3 servings of non-starchy vegetables: leafy greens, broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, etc.

• Up to 2 servings of healthy fats: oils, nuts, seeds, avocado

• 1 optional condiment serving: sauce, dressing, bacon, cheese, etc.

Two slices of turkey bacon perfectly fit into the condiment serving. This adds lots of flavor for just 30-60 calories and 1-2 grams of fat. Other condiment ideas include mustard, salsa, teriyaki sauce, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, hot sauce, and similar low-calorie options.

Choosing the right lean proteins, minimizing starchy veggies like corn and peas, and sticking to just 1 condiment serving keeps the meal balanced. Turkey bacon enhances flavor within the structure of a Lean and Green.

Tips for Adding Turkey Bacon Flavor

Here are some tasty ways to incorporate turkey bacon into Optavia compliant meals and snacks:

• Chop up turkey bacon and add to omelets and scrambled egg whites for a protein-packed breakfast.

• Mix crumbled turkey bacon into salads with leafy greens, chicken, and vinaigrette dressing.

• Wrap asparagus, green beans, or Brussels sprouts in turkey bacon and roast for a flavorful side dish.

• Add cooked and crumbled turkey bacon to Optavia shakes or baked goods like muffins for a smoky, salty kick.

• Use turkey bacon bits instead of croutons on top of soup or salad for crunch.

• Sprinkle turkey bacon crumbles over chicken breasts before baking for added flavor.

• Include turkey bacon in veggie-packed sandwiches on lettuce wraps or low-carb tortillas.

• Garnish tuna or egg salad with some chopped turkey bacon.

When craving bacon, turkey bacon can satisfy in small servings while keeping fat, calories, and carbs controlled. Follow proper portion sizes for results.

Making Flavorful Turkey Bacon

Since turkey bacon is much leaner than pork bacon, the flavor can seem very mild in comparison. Here are tips for amping up turkey bacon’s taste:

• Choose high-quality turkey bacon that looks thick-cut for better texture. Leaner bacon may need a few extra minutes of cooking time to get crispy.

• Roast turkey bacon in the oven instead of microwaving for crispiest results every time. Bake on a rack over a baking sheet.

• Brush maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar onto turkey bacon before baking for sweetness. The small amount adds minimal calories.

• Use bold seasonings like cracked black pepper, chili powder, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, or Cajun seasoning to boost flavor.

• Opt for turkey bacon with flavorings like hickory smoke, applewood smoke, jalapeno, or bourbon flavors. Read labels to avoid added sugars or phosphates.

• Cook turkey bacon in a cast iron skillet to maximize crispy edges. Pour off any rendered fat after cooking.

While turkey bacon may seem “healthier” than pork bacon, both remain high sodium processed meats. Stick to just 1-2 servings daily on Optavia, and avoid daily intake for general health.

Can Vegetarians Do Optavia?

The good news is the Optavia program can be easily followed by vegetarians. Simply substitute the lean protein recommendations with vegetarian options like:

• Tofu and tempeh
• Veggie burgers and meatless crumbles
• Eggs and egg whites
• Cottage cheese and greek yogurt
• Protein powders
• Edamame
• Beans, legumes, lentils
• Seitan

Vegans may need to supplement with a plant-based protein powder and pay extra attention to getting all essential nutrients. But the vegetable-focused Lean and Green meals and use of spices, herbs, sauces and condiments for flavor ensure vegetarians and vegans can succeed on Optavia just like meat-eaters.

Should You Have Bacon on Optavia?

To summarize, regular pork bacon is not considered Optavia compliant due to its high calories, saturated fat, sodium, and limited nutritional value. However, a couple slices of turkey bacon fit into the plan’s parameters and can satisfy bacon cravings in moderation. Follow proper portion sizes, and enhance turkey bacon’s flavor through cooking methods, seasonings, and high-quality products. This allows you to reap the benefits of Optavia’s structured meal plan while still enjoying smoky, savory bacon flavor.