When it comes to breakfast, are you constantly bacon for more? Bacon has been an a.m. staple for years. There's no denying the great taste of those crispy slices of bacon, but in reality grease is the word. No matter how tasty this salty staple is - it's chock full of saturated fat and sodium. One slice of bacon will set you back 46 calories and 3.6 grams of fat. Sit down to four slices of Hormel Center Cut bacon and you're accounting for 140 calories and 10 grams of saturated fat. If you think turkey bacon is that much better, think again. Two slices of turkey bacon is 70 calories and 6 grams of saturated fat. Better selections might be LightLife Smart Bacon where three strips are 60 calories and 3 grams of saturated fat, or Jennie-O Extra Lean Turkey bacon at 40 calories and 1 gram of saturated fat per 2 slices. Perhaps the biggest problem with this high fat food is that almost 68% of the calories come from fat - and by fat, we mean the bad kind.
Ironically, most traditional low-carb diets encourage followers to eat all the bacon they want. But it's important to remember an ounce of fat actually has 30 milligrams of cholesterol. The issue with bacon is that as a food high in saturated fat, it contributes to an increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Bacon is also considered a processed meat, which has been linked to prostate cancer, as well as other cancers. That doesn't mean your morning has to be deplete of meat. Try Canadian bacon as a healthier, diet-friendly option. This ham-like protein will go perfect with an over-easy egg, a slice of cheese and an English muffin. Two slices of Kirkland Canadian Bacon are just 30 calories and 1 gram of fat, not to mention 0 grams of saturated fat. Lean ham is also a healthy option that makes for a smart substitute.