How many calories in bacon? The nutritional value

Bacon is a favorite delicacy among connoisseurs of fatty pork meat. It is good both as a component for a sandwich, and as an ingredient for preparing delicious hot dishes, scrambled eggs, salads. There is no doubt about the taste characteristics of the product, but how appropriate it is in dietary nutrition, What is the calorie content of bacon and does it have any health benefits?

What is bacon?

Bacon is usually called the side of a young pig, on which there are no bones, sternum and vertebrae, cooked in a special way. Not every pig is suitable for getting bacon. The pig must be raised in a special way, fed with barley, milk, beans. As a result of such feeding, the fat layers are superimposed on the meat in an even layer. In addition to everything, the body of the pig should be rounded with a long back and thin skin.

Bacon calories

The method of preparation of the meat product has a direct impact on the calorie content. Salted bacon contains about 460 kcal per 100 g. Smoked bacon has a higher energy value – 500 kcal per 100 g. Smoking gives bacon a unique aroma and rich taste. The thickness of the fat layers also affects the caloric value. Bacon is 45% fat, 12% protein and 0.7% carbohydrate.

Nutritional value per 100 grams:

• Calorie content: 500 kcal, 30.71%;
• Proteins: 33.9 grams, 37.25%;
• Fat: 35.1 grams, 52.39%;
• Carbs: 1.7 grams, 1.22%;
• Water: 24 grams, 0.89%.

There are different varieties of bacon. In Italy, the variety “pancetta” is popular, for the preparation of which a fatty piece is selected and dried in spices and salt. Canadian bacon has a slightly sweet taste, while French bacon has less lard. Almost every country has its type of bacon, however, any variety of this meat product is high in calories.

Turkey bacon calories

Calorie content per 100 grams:

• Calorie content: 122 kcal;
• Proteins: 13 grams;
• Carbohydrates: 4 grams;
• Fat: 6 grams

Calories in a slice of bacon?

How many calories in a slice of bacon:

• Calorie content: 43 kcal;
• Proteins: 2.96 grams;
• Carbohydrates: 0.11 grams;
• Fat: 3.34 grams.

The benefits of bacon

Despite the high-energy value, the use of a pork product is allowed in dietetics, but only in small quantities. Bacon, cooked in strict accordance with the recipe, the same useful properties as pork meat are characteristic.

Bacon damage

The abuse of bacon can cause excess weight, provoke the formation of cholesterol plaques. When choosing a product in a store, special attention should be paid to the composition indicated on the package. Unscrupulous manufacturers often add synthetic color and taste enhancers that will not bring any benefit.

Bacon in cooking

Bacon is used to prepare a wide variety of dishes: appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches, scrambled eggs, second courses, etc.

How to select the right bacon?

The stores offer a wide range of meat products. Firstly, what should be focused on – this is the price. A quality product cannot be cheaper than meat. The second important detail is the composition. In a quality delicacy, there is a brine within 10% and there are no oxidizing agents, various food additives.

The lack of a skin does not indicate poor quality bacon. It can be with or without skin. The main thing is that it be clean, without visible stains and bristles. A characteristic feature of the right delicacy – this is the thickness of sebaceous veins and meat, it should be within 1.5 cm. The presence of spots, a yellow tint, indicates that the product has already been “stale” and is not worth buying. The shelf life of the product is usually 14–15 days. The longer period is due to the high content of preservatives.