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? Turkey Bacon ?

Is Turkey Bacon Healthy? this is one of the questions that i will try and answer her in this article. But there seem to be a lot of contradictory terms we take at face value in the diet world, for example, Veggie burgers, Paleo pizza, and of course turkey bacon. You are aware that regular bacon comes from the fatty belly of the pig. However, folks can still enjoy a delicious meal of bacon if for some reason they can’t go with the pork elements.

What is Turkey Bacon?

This is an imitation bacon usually prepared from cured, smoked, chopped and formed turkey. It is cooked by pan-frying and commonly marketed as a low-fat alternative to bacon. This type of bacon can also be used as a replacement for bacon where religious restrictions forbid the consumption of pork.

Where is Turkey Bacon From? 

Turkey happens to be the biggest and appetizing poultry, which gives the best fit to a family holiday. In most homes, Christmas Eve Traditions are memorable, fun and quite filling. One of my most favorite and memorable things to cook, but most importantly eat, is traditional Christmas turkey.

There are lots of ways to prepare a turkey, though it is usually served whole. Turkey has delicate fatless meat, that’s why there is a danger that it can get dry during cooking. Obviously, it will take longer to cook the biggest bird and that means that the white meat will start to dry out because of long cooking times.

Some culinary experts would recommend covering your turkey with strips of bacon. The bacon will keep the meat moist and juicy and add a little bit of smoked flavor that will have everyone asking about that special ingredient that was used.

Whereas pork bacon comes from the belly of a pig, bacon made from turkey is dark and light meat turkey seasoned like bacon and pressed into bacon form. Cured turkey brand of bacon made from dark meat can be 90% fat-free. It can be used in the same manner as bacon e.g. a BLT sandwich, but the low-fat content of turkey brand means it does not shrink while being cooked and has a tendency to stick to the pan.

This type of bacon is lower in fat and calories than regular bacon but can be used in the same way as bacon; its lower fat content makes it unsuitable in some situations, such as grilling. It is also an alternative for people who do not eat pork for religious or dietary reasons.

 

Is Turkey Bacon healthy? (Nutritional Value)

Some consumers, overtly conscious of calorie and fat, choose turkey brand as a healthy alternative to the pork variety that traditionally graces breakfast tables.

Two strips of Butterball turkey brand contain 3 grams of fat and 50 calories (32% of which from fat); turkey brand from Louis Rich and Mr. Turkey contain 5 and 4 grams of fat, respectively, per two slices. By comparison, two strips of regular pork bacon contain, on average, some 7 grams of fat.

A study has it that turkey products, including turkey bacon, contain, averagely, twice as much sodium as the pork products they replace. This substitute is still high in saturated fat and sodium and doesn’t carry as many health benefits as many would believe. In fact, opting for turkey brand of bacon as the healthier choice can have a negative impact on your health.

Calories: Turkey brand contains fewer calories than pork bacon, but the difference per 2-ounce serving is small – 218 vs. 268 calories. However, consumers can find much more variance in calories among types of turkey brand than pork. Bacon made from turkey can have anywhere from fewer than 10 percent to 80 percent the calories of traditional pork bacon.

Protein: Each 2-ounce serving of pork or turkey brand of bacon has roughly the same amount of protein. Pork bacon offers 20 grams per serving. Turkey brand provides 17 grams. Regular turkey bacon has over twice the protein of pork bacon. However, the lower-fat versions of this brand have far less protein than pork.

Fat: The overall fat content in bacon made from turkey is significantly lower than pork bacon – 14 grams vs. 22 grams. The level of saturated fat is still high, however, with 4 grams vs. 8 grams, respectively. High saturated fat content contributes to heart disease. Here’s where turkey is consistently better than pork. Even regular turkey bacon has no more than 60 percent of the fat in pork bacon.

Carbs: Turkey brand of bacon can contain over four times the carbs of pork bacon. However, the lean brands of turkey bacon like Jenni-O have no carbs.

Vitamins: Turkey and pork bacon both provide vitamin B complex nutrients, but pork bacon offers more. Pork also contains more selenium, a mineral that activates certain proteins associated with preventing cancer. Turkey and pork bacon contain roughly the same amount of zinc, which helps control gene activity.

Sodium: If you don’t select reduced-sodium bacon, just a few slices can max out your daily recommended intake of salt – less than 1,500 milligrams according to the American Heart Association. Two ounces of turkey brand of bacon has more than 1,900 milligrams of sodium. The same amount of pork bacon contains roughly 1,300 milligrams. In addition to increasing your risk of heart disease, high sodium intake raises the likelihood of kidney stones. These numbers vary greatly by brand and type. Generally, turkey bacon is not much lower in sodium than regular pork bacon. Daily sodium intake should not total more than 1,500 milligrams, and a couple of slices of any kind of bacon can easily take up a third of that.

Cholesterol: Neither turkey nor pork is go-to foods for people watching their cholesterol, although turkey brand is generally slightly lower in cholesterol.

From our discourse so far, you can infer that Bacon made from turkey or pork should be consumed only in moderation, and cooked with minimal low-fat oil or margarine if your goal is to lose weight or any other health benefit. It is advisable to read the labels and compare calories, fat, sodium, carbs and cholesterol content before buying bacon. Keep in mind the recommended daily limits. Clearly, the more you consume high-calorie elements, the harder you may have to work to burn fat.

Comparison turkey bacon vs. pork bacon

Are turkey bacon healthy? As with bacon made from pork, bacon made from turkey is high in saturated fat and sodium – two substances that put you at greater risk for developing heart disease. And the similarities don’t stop there.

 

Common questions about Turkey Bacon

 

Is Turkey Bacon Halal or Haram?

Muslims can eat other types of meat apart from pork as long as it is halal, which means it is blessed as it is killed. There are a few brands that sell Halal Bacon both as Turkey and as Beef Bacon. You can find some Halal Bacon here. You can also check here for Chemicals that are considered Haram.

 

Where can i buy Halal Turkey Bacon?

Not all supermarkets have Halal Turkey. The best place to get it is online a great place for this is on [easyazon_link keywords=”Halal turkey Bacon” locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”infobacon-20″]amazon[/easyazon_link]. But if you want to buy it in a shop you most likely have to go to a Halal Butcher, thou some supermarkets are beginning to sell it.

Does turkey bacon have pork in it?

No Turkey Bacon does not have any Bacon in it it is called Turkey Bacon due to the way it is processed, but if you want to be completely sure then go for the Halal Turkey Bacon then you can be sure.

 

How to cook Turkey Bacon.

In this little video you can see how you can cook your great Turkey Bacon

Best turkey bacon recipe?

Most dishes with bacon can be altered to fit in turkey bacon instead. Just remember too add a little extra oil due to turkey bacon.

So take a look in our great selection of Bacon Recipes and get some great inspiration for your next meal.
We here at BaconInfo hope you enjoyed this article. If you want more then remember to look at our Bacon Articles and Bacon Recipes.

 

How Long to Cook Turkey Bacon in the Oven

How long to cook turkey bacon in the oven? That is the question. Well the quick answer is between 12-30 min depending on how crips you want it. But below i have made a step by step guide on how to do it.  If you like Turkey Bacon then remember to read our article on Duck Bacon as well. 

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 package turkey bacon
  • 1 cookie sheet
  • Foil

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F / 205°C degrees.
  2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and give it a spray of cooking spray(PAM).
  3. Lay the bacon out on the sheet making sure not to overlap. (you may need to make 2 batches).
  4. If you want to then it is is here you can use som seasoning like pepper or what ever you want.
  5. Put into oven and set a timer for 12 minutes, when the timer rings start watching until it gets as crisp as you like.
  6. I usually have mine in for just around 15 minutes.
  7. Then take it out of the oven
  8. Depending on how crisp you want your bacon you can now flip over your bacon and put back in the oven for a more crispy feeling.
  9. Then put the bacon on a plate covered with paper towels to drain the grease.

Tip For Baking Turkey Bacon In The Oven

  • Keep a close eye on your bacon especially the first time you make it. That way you are sure that it reaches your desired level of crispness. If you then take note of time spend for you to make perfect bacon then you can replicate it and cook turkey bacon in the oven forever!

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