is bacon good for gaining muscle

Can Bacon Really Help You Build Muscle?

As a bodybuilder, you’re always looking for ways to pack on lean muscle And if you’re like most lifters, you’ve probably wondered whether foods like bacon can help spur muscle growth After all, bacon is a good source of protein and calories, right?

Well, it’s not quite that simple. While bacon does offer some potential benefits, it also comes with downsides that make it less than ideal for building muscle. Let’s analyze if bacon is truly an effective muscle-building food.

The Potential Benefits of Bacon for Bodybuilding

At first glance bacon appears to have attributes that seem conducive to building muscle

• Protein – Bacon contains a decent amount of protein, with about 5g per slice. Getting enough protein is crucial for muscle growth.

• Calories – Bacon provides ample calories (40-50 per slice) necessary for bulking up and fueling workouts.

• Fat – The fat in bacon provides calories dense with energy to support weight gain.

• Salty Flavor – The salty taste may encourage greater food and water intake.

• Convenience – Bacon is affordable and requires little prep, making it easy to add to your diet.

Given these factors, it’s understandable why some bodybuilders think bacon could be beneficial for gaining mass. But looks can be deceiving…

The Potential Drawbacks of Bacon for Muscle Building

Unfortunately, bacon has several characteristics that make it less than optimal as a muscle-building food:

• Fat Content – While bacon contains “good” monounsaturated fat, over half its fat is unhealthy saturated and trans fat. Excessive intake from bacon can negatively impact heart health.

• Red Meat Link to Disease – There are health risks associated with regular red meat consumption, including processed meats like bacon.

• Nitrates/Nitrites – These preservatives used to cure bacon may increase cancer risk with high intake.

• High Sodium – The exceptionally high salt content can lead to issues like high blood pressure.

• Nutrient Deficiencies – Bacon lacks complete protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytonutrients essential for health.

• Lower Protein Than Other Meats – Ounce for ounce, bacon contains less protein than chicken, turkey, fish and other meats.

As you can see, there are many drawbacks that outweigh the small muscle-building potential of bacon.

Better Muscle-Building Protein Alternatives

Given the downsides of relying on bacon for your protein needs as a bodybuilder, here are healthier, more effective high-protein foods to focus on instead:

• Chicken Breast – Skinless chicken breast provides about 40g protein per 8 ounce serving. It’s low in fat and calories compared to bacon.

• Lean Beef – Grass-fed beef is an excellent source of protein, minerals like iron and vitamin B12. Choose leaner cuts like sirloin.

• Fish – Fatty fish like salmon offer muscle-building protein along with anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.

• Eggs – Whole eggs contain leucine, an amino acid that stimulates muscle protein production. Limit intake to 2-3 yolks per day.

• Greek Yogurt – High in protein with 23g per cup, yogurt provides steady-state protein for muscles. Choose unsweetened plain.

• Protein Powder – Whey, casein and plant-based protein powders offer protein in an easy, low fat form. They’re quick for pre or post workout.

• Beans and Lentils – Providing a whopping 30g protein per cooked cup, lentils are plant-based protein powerhouses.

When planning protein-rich meals and snacks for optimal muscle growth, emphasize these wholesome protein sources rather than bacon.

The Verdict: Should Bodybuilders Eat Bacon?

So should bacon be included in a bodybuilding diet? While it can provide some protein and calories, overall it’s best limited for several reasons:

• The high amount of fat relative to protein makes bacon inefficient for muscle building.

• The fat composition and sodium content may negatively impact heart health with regular intake.

• Processed meats like bacon have been linked to increased disease risk when eaten in excess.

• More nutritious protein options like chicken, fish, yogurt and eggs offer superior nutrition for gaining mass.

The protein requirements for bodybuilders being so significant at 2.4g per kg of bodyweight means that if you regularly consume bacon in your diet, you are likely missing out on alternative protein sources that would provide much more protein per serving, less fat and overall calories too.

That being said, an occasional serving of bacon as a treat or cheat meal probably won’t hinder your goals. Just emphasize more wholesome, lean proteins like chicken breast, fish, lean beef, eggs, dairy and plants to support muscle growth without excess fat, sodium and processed meats.

A nutritious, balanced diet focused on minimally processed whole foods will provide all the protein, vitamins and minerals you need to bulk up. So rather than going whole hog on bacon, make it a garnish instead of the main course in your bodybuilding meal plan.