Does Waffle House Have Turkey Bacon or Sausage?

Waffle House is a popular Southern breakfast chain known for its signature waffles hashbrowns and pork-based meat options. However, many customers wonder if healthier poultry alternatives like turkey bacon and sausage are available on the menu. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore if Waffle House offers these options or other ways to make nutritious choices when dining there.

Overview of Waffle House’s Menu and Meat Options

Waffle House is famous for its extensive all-day breakfast menu served 24/7, Some of their most popular offerings include

• Waffles – Original, chocolate chip, pecan, blueberry, etc.

• Pork-based meats – Sausage patties/links bacon, ham

• Eggs – Scrambled, fried, omelets, egg white options

• Hashbrowns – Diced, scattered smothered, covered, chunked, topped

• Biscuits – Sausage, bacon, ham, chicken, steak

• Sandwiches – BLT, patty melt, grilled cheese

• Burgers – Hamburger, cheeseburger, bacon cheeseburger

• Beverages – Coffee, juice, milk, soda

As you can see, the traditional breakfast meats offered at Waffle House are all pork-based. This includes bacon, sausage, and ham. Turkey bacon and sausage are not currently on the menu.

Does Waffle House Offer Turkey Bacon or Sausage?

Unfortunately, at this time Waffle House does not have turkey bacon or turkey sausage available as a regular menu item. All of the bacon, sausage, and ham options are made from pork.

Some locations may occasionally have turkey bacon or sausage as a limited-time offering. But in general, poultry products are not part of the standard breakfast lineup.

While turkey meats would provide a healthier alternative for customers looking to reduce fat and calories, the pork-based options remain the traditional items served at this classic diner-style chain.

Healthier Meat Alternatives at Waffle House

Despite the lack of turkey bacon and sausage, Waffle House does offer some healthier meat choices on their extensive menu:

• Grilled Chicken – A grilled chicken breast fillet can be added to any breakfast, sandwich or salad for a leaner protein option than pork.

• Chicken Breast Biscuit – The grilled chicken breast biscuit provides 27g protein with just 370 calories and 16g fat.

• Grilled Sausage Biscuit – At 320 calories and 21g fat, the grilled sausage has less fat than the fried sausage biscuit.

• Egg White Omelets – Build an omelet with egg whites and vegetables for low cal and fat.

• Salads – Grilled chicken on a salad gives a lower calorie, high protein choice.

So while turkey is not present, there are still ways to cut fat and calories by swapping in some grilled poultry when dining at Waffle House.

Why Healthier Breakfast Meats Matter

Having healthier breakfast meats like turkey bacon and sausage available gives customers options to reduce their intake of fat, calories, sodium and other components like nitrates. This is especially important at a chain like Waffle House that serves classic southern-style comfort foods which can be high in these areas.

By offering substitutions like turkey bacon or sausage, restaurants can appeal to a wider demographic looking for more nutritious choices. This shows they care about the health and well-being of customers, not just taste.

Starting the day with a lower calorie, high protein breakfast may also help prevent overeating later in the day and promote weight management. Given the obesity epidemic, having leaner proteins available helps address a real dietary need.

Overview of Turkey Bacon and Sausage Nutrition

Turkey bacon and sausage provide leaner alternatives to their pork-based counterparts. Here’s how they compare nutritionally:

Turkey Bacon

• 50-60 calories per slice
• About 1.5g saturated fat per slice
• 450mg sodium per slice
• 6g protein

Pork Bacon

• 43g calories per slice
• 2.5g saturated fat per slice
• 190mg sodium per slice
• 3g protein

Turkey Sausage

• Around 50-80 calories per 2oz link
• 1-2g saturated fat per link
• 300-450mg sodium per link
• 10g protein

Pork Sausage

• 145 calories per 2oz link
• 5g saturated fat per link
• 370mg sodium per link
• 7g protein

As you can see, turkey bacon and sausage are significantly lower in calories, saturated fat, and sodium versus traditional pork breakfast meats. The protein content is also greater in turkey sausage.

However, both turkey and pork breakfast meats should still be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

How to Make Healthier Choices at Waffle House

Even without turkey on the menu, you can still make nutritious choices when dining at Waffle House:

• Pick grilled chicken for any dish – Adds lean protein and saves calories.

• Choose egg whites for omelets – Doubles the protein with no fat or cholesterol.

• Load up veggies in omelets, hashbrowns or salads – Get added nutrition from tomatoes, onions, peppers, etc.

• Opt for dry grilled toast – Saves calories over buttery, high-carb biscuits or waffles.

• Split or skip sides like hashbrowns – One of the highest calorie menu items.

• Watch portions – Waffle House is known for big servings so split dishes when possible.

• Drink water – Skip high calorie juices and sodas.

With simple substitutions and smart choices, you can enjoy your favorite Waffle House flavors while still following a healthy diet.

Should Waffle House Add Turkey Bacon and Sausage to Their Menu?

Given the trends towards more health-conscious dining, many customers think Waffle House should offer turkey bacon and sausage as menu options. This would cater to those looking for lower calorie, leaner protein when starting their day.

Since pork products dominate the Waffle House menu currently, turkey bacon and sausage would provide more variety and balance. It would also bring their offerings more in line with competitors like IHOP, Denny’s and Bob Evans which serve turkey breakfast meats.

However, as a chain steeped in nostalgia and classic diner fare, Waffle House may be hesitant to deviate too far from their traditional southern-style dishes by adding turkey. It may be seen as altering the core brand identity.

Ultimately, it comes down to customer demand – if enough patrons make it clear they want turkey options, the chain may test it as a limited-time offer to gauge interest and viability on their menu.

Should You Choose Turkey or Pork Breakfast Meats?

When deciding between turkey or pork breakfast meats, consider your own nutritional needs and goals.

Here are some factors to help determine which may be better for you:

• Calories – Turkey has significantly fewer calories than pork.

• Fat & Cholesterol – Turkey is lower in saturated fat and cholesterol.

• Sodium – Turkey has a slight edge, but both are high in salt.

• Ingredients – Turkey has fewer preservatives like nitrites.

• Taste – Subjective, but many prefer the rich taste of pork.

• Budget – Turkey costs more than traditional pork bacon or sausage.

• Allergies – Turkey accommodates pork allergies.

For those monitoring fat, calories, or cholesterol, turkey makes sense. But pork provides more robust flavor at a lower cost. Moderation and lifestyle factors help inform the best personal choice.

Is Turkey Bacon or Sausage Actually Healthy?

While turkey bacon and sausage are leaner than pork varieties, it’s important not to classify them as truly “healthy” foods. They are