Ah, bacon — that delicious morning menu item! But most of us don’t know how much it really helps or hurts us. Is bacon a benefit or a bust? Let’s compare it to some other breakfast staples:
Food facts quiz:
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Bacon vs. eggs: which is higher in calories?
Two fried eggs
Four slices of bacon
ANSWER: They’re about the same: the eggs have around 177 calories; the bacon has around 175 calories. If you’re counting calories, try eating one less strip than your regular serving.
ANSWER: They’re about the same: the eggs have around 177 calories; the bacon has around 175 calories. If you’re counting calories, try eating one less strip than your regular serving.
Bacon vs. muffins: which has more fat?
Three strips of bacon
A banana nut muffin
ANSWER: The bacon has around 10 grams of fat. The muffin from the convenience store around the corner, however, has a whopping 30 grams! In general, a bit of fat is OK with each meal because it helps keep that next wave of hunger from rolling in quickly. But too much fat, especially the saturated kind, can have a not-so-good effect on our health. We’ll talk more about “sat fat” in a minute.
ANSWER: The bacon has around 10 grams of fat. The muffin from the convenience store around the corner, however, has a whopping 30 grams! In general, a bit of fat is OK with each meal because it helps keep that next wave of hunger from rolling in quickly. But too much fat, especially the saturated kind, can have a not-so-good effect on our health. We’ll talk more about “sat fat” in a minute.
Bacon vs. pancakes: which is loaded with salt?
Two six-inch buttermilk pancakes
Two slices of fried bacon
ANSWER: We can practically taste all 370 milligrams of sodium in the bacon (that’s about 25 percent of the American Heart Association’s daily recommended amountii). But did you know that the sodium count for the pancakes can be as high as 800 milligrams?
ANSWER: We can practically taste all 370 milligrams of sodium in the bacon (that’s about 25 percent of the American Heart Association’s daily recommended amountii). But did you know that the sodium count for the pancakes can be as high as 800 milligrams?
Back to bacon vs. muffin: which is higher in saturated fat?
ANSWER: The bacon has 3 grams of saturated fat. The muffin from the convenience store around the corner, however, has 8 grams. You’ll want to keep an eye on your daily saturated fat intake because it can affect your heart health. In general, try to limit it to less than 15 grams a day (based on a 2,000-calorie diet). Can you imagine gobbling down more than half of the allowance even before your day kicks off?
ANSWER: The bacon has 3 grams of saturated fat. The muffin from the convenience store around the corner, however, has 8 grams. You’ll want to keep an eye on your daily saturated fat intake because it can affect your heart health. In general, try to limit it to less than 15 grams a day (based on a 2,000-calorie diet). Can you imagine gobbling down more than half of the allowance even before your day kicks off?
Here’s the bottom line: The key to your bacon relationship, as with most things, is moderation. You don’t have to call it quits, but picking — and sticking to — a few sensible-eating habits can go a long way towards feeling good, staying well, and enjoying your favorite foods. Stay connected to Teladoc for more nutrition, health, and wellness tips. We’re here 24/7 through our mobile app, online, and by phone. You can count on Teladoc for quick and convenient help with your healthcare needs.
i Nutrition data sources:
• https://loseit.com/
• http://www.calorieking.com/foods/calories-in-pork-bacon-broiled-or-pan-fried_f-ZmlkPTYzNDY0.html
ii The AHA’s RDA for sodium was reduced from 2,400 to 1,500 mg. for adults in January 2016. http://newsroom.heart.org/news/american-heart-association-says-new-dietary-guidelines-will-help-establish-a-healthier-roadmap-for-americans
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