Finding the Least Fatty Bacon for a Healthier Breakfast

Crispy, salty bacon is a breakfast staple for many people. But with all that satisfying flavor comes a good amount of fat While a little bacon fat here and there is not a big deal, you may be looking for options with less fat for a healthier breakfast

The good news is that not all bacon is created equal when it comes to fat content. By choosing certain brands and types of bacon over others you can enjoy your morning bacon while limiting the amount of fat.

In this article, we’ll cover how to identify bacon with the least amount of fat. We’ll also recommend some of the healthiest low-fat bacon brands and provide cooking tips to make your bacon even leaner.

How Much Fat is in Bacon?

The fat content in bacon can vary pretty widely depending on the cut and brand. Here’s a quick look at the average fat stats

• Pork bacon ranges from 5-15 grams of fat per serving, with 2-5 grams saturated fat.

• Turkey bacon averages around 2-3 grams of fat per serving and just 0.5 grams saturated fat.

• Prosciutto (dry-cured ham) provides about 4 grams of fat per serving, with 1.5 grams saturated fat.

So turkey bacon and prosciutto tend to be leaner options compared to regular pork bacon. But even within pork bacon, you can find certain brands with less fat than others.

Choosing Low-Fat Bacon

When buying bacon, read nutrition labels closely and compare fat content between different products. Here are some helpful buying tips:

• Look for “reduced-fat” or “less fat” on the label

• Choose thinner slices over thick-cut

• Opt for center-cut bacon over regular

• Prefer turkey or chicken bacon over pork

• Pick a brand with 70-90 calories per slice or less

• Avoid added sugars or “maple-flavored” bacon

The thinner the bacon slice, the less fat it will have. Center-cut bacon comes from the leanest part of pork belly and shaves off more fat. Turkey and chicken bacon have fat contents closer to deli meat than pork bacon.

Brands that advertise “less fat” generally have 3-4 grams or less per slice compared to 5+ grams in regular pork bacon. And skipping the sweet flavored or maple bacon options keeps sugar and calories down.

The Healthiest Low-Fat Bacon Brands

When looking for the leanest bacon brands, consider these expert picks:

Oscar Mayer Center Cut Bacon

With 70 calories and 4g fat per slice, this center-cut bacon has 30% less fat than regular pork bacon. It provides a nice smokey flavor without all the grease.

Applegate Sunday Bacon

This humanely-raised pork bacon is uncured and only has 2.5g of fat per slice. Applegate is a go-to brand for high-quality, organic meats with no antibiotics or hormones.

Wellshire Sugar-Free Uncured Bacon

With just 2g fat and 60 calories per slice, Wellshire makes an impressively lean sugar-free bacon with no artificial ingredients.

Hormel Turkey Bacon

One of the most widely available brands, Hormel turkey bacon has 40 calories and 1.5g fat per slice. It provides the bacon taste with just a fraction of the fat.

Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon

Another leading brand, Oscar Mayer turkey bacon has just 1g fat and 35 calories per slice. It’s one of the leanest bacon options out there.

Tips for Cooking Low-Fat Bacon

To make your bacon even leaner, follow these simple tips for cooking and prep:

• Trim excess fat before cooking. Cut off any large fatty areas.

• Lay bacon flat on a baking sheet lined with foil or a wire rack. This allows fat to drip off.

• Bake bacon in the oven at 400°F instead of frying in a pan.

• Pour off excess fat from the baking sheet halfway through cooking.

• Blot cooked bacon slices with a paper towel to absorb residual fat.

• Stretch it out by sprinkling crumbled bacon on salads or using it in recipes.

With some smart shopping choices and proper cooking techniques, you can keep the bacon fat in your breakfast to a minimum. Opt for thin turkey or center-cut pork bacon, bake instead of frying, and blot excess grease.

While most bacon will always have some fat, following these tips will ensure you choose options with the least amount possible. You can enjoy the salty, savory flavor without all the excess grease weighing down your breakfast.