Welcome to the ultimate guide to the Best Bacon for Keto Diet! Here, you will learn the best sugar-free bacon options, the fat and protein content in bacon, and ways to incorporate bacon into your low-carb diet. We'll also share our favorite keto bacon recipes!
You might be wondering, "Is bacon keto?". Well, yes, a 100% yes! It's no secret that keto dieters love their bacon, and reasonably so. It tastes so good, pairs well with various foods, and, most importantly, is perfect for ketosis. It's high in fat and protein and low in carbs.
But not all bacon is created equal regarding its keto-friendly quality. So, you must be able to choose the best bacon for your low-carb diet.
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The best bacon for keto diet
Some sugar-free bacon brands stand out as the best for a low-carb lifestyle, and they all have zero added sugar. Here are our top bacon brands:
These three brands offer sugar-free bacon with high-quality ingredients. However, numerous brands exist, and your local grocery store may differ from ours. So, keep reading to learn how to select the best bacon for keto!
How to choose the best bacon for keto?
Carbs and protein count aren't the only things you should look out for when selecting a brand of bacon. Be careful of artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and other additives. Make sure to read the ingredient labels and stick to these safe bets when shopping:
Opt for uncured bacon
Conventionally cured bacon contains sugar and preservatives like sodium nitrates and nitrites. On keto, you want to avoid sugars and limit nitrates/nitrites.
That's why uncured bacon is a popular choice for a healthy diet. Uncured means the bacon relies more on natural ingredients such as cultured celery powder and sea salt to preserve the flavor and color. They won't have artificial ingredients.
Choose smoked bacon
Smoked bacon imparts a rich, smoky flavor and pairs well with many keto dishes. And the good news is that it fits perfectly into a keto lifestyle as long as you choose the right kind.
Look for naturally smoked produce without any artificial smoke flavoring. It has the same nutrition as regular pork bacon, but the smoky flavor makes it more flavorful.
Check the ingredients
Regardless of whether it's cured or uncured, always check the ingredient list of the bacon package. Avoid brands that list sugars, maple syrup, honey, dextrose, or cane sugar in their curing process.
Ideally, the ingredients should be pork, salt, and natural curing agents, if applicable — no need for anything else.
Prioritize fattier cuts
Opt for fattier cuts of bacon to incorporate more fat and less protein in your keto diet. Look for bacon from fattier parts of the pig, like pork belly. Aim for bacon with a 70/30 or 60/40 fat-to-protein ratio.
🥓 What are the types of bacon for keto?
Bacon, in its simplest form, comes from pork belly cured in salt, sugar (typically), and spices. Yet today's markets offer more than just traditional pork bacon. You can easily find the famous turkey bacon and beef bacon varieties. The basic curing and smoking process remains the same, but different meat brings distinct flavors and textures.
Besides this meat-based bacon, there are vegan plant-based alternatives such as tempeh bacon for those following a vegetarian diet. But you need to use tempeh bacon in moderation to keep your carb count in check.
Thick cut vs. regular bacon cut
Bacon usually comes in two main slice varieties: thick cut and regular slice. As the name implies, thick-sliced bacon is thicker than regular bacon, ranging from ⅛ to ¼ inch. The regular bacon has thinner cuts, around 1/16 of an inch.
How many slices of bacon can you eat on keto?
The number of bacon strips you can eat on keto depends on your goals and macronutrient intake. For your ease, here's a nutritional breakdown of one slice of sugar-free regular-cut bacon:
Note: Bacon also has about 137 milligrams of sodium per slice. But note that the breakdown is generic; the values can differ from brand to brand.
Our easy bacon recipes for the keto diet
Looking for easy, quick, and delicious ways to use bacon in your meal routine? Here are some of our famous keto recipes:
We're sure there are many more than a few we've missed, but these are our most popular recipes made with keto bacon! We recommend you save the bacon grease/bacon fat and use it instead of olive oil or other cooking oils in other recipes. It's such an easy way to add bacon flavor to other dishes!
Article wrap-up & conclusion
Bacon is a keto-friendly treat suitable for your low-carb regimen. Its rich fat and protein levels and low carbs align well with the ketogenic diet. Prioritize uncured, naturally smoked, and minimally processed choices for optimal bacon benefits without unnecessary additives. Be it traditional pork bacon, turkey or beef alternatives, or even Canadian bacon, there's a keto-friendly variety for everyone's preferences. So, bacon lovers! Savor the smoky, savory goodness while staying true to your keto goals.
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