Spam is one of the most controversial meat products out there, but you might not know all of its different tastes.
Since I like Spam, I was interested in how the other versions of the meat tasted and if any of them were better than the original. As it turns out, only one worthy flavor beats the original.
Spam vs Bacon: Which Processed Meat is Worse For Your Health?
As someone who enjoys the occasional indulgent breakfast, I used to eat foods like spam and bacon without thinking twice. But with more research coming out on processed meats, I wanted to take a deeper look at how spam and bacon compare for your health.
In this article, we’ll analyze the nutrition, ingredients, health impacts, and other factors to determine whether bacon or spam is the worse processed meat. I’ll provide a detailed comparison of both so you can make an informed decision if you choose to eat them. Let’s dive in!
Spam and Bacon – A Brief History
First, some background on each processed meat:
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Spam – This canned pork product was created by Hormel Foods in 1937 It became a staple for soldiers in WWII given its long shelf life The original Spam contains pork shoulder and ham.
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Bacon – Humans have been curing pork belly into bacon for preservation for centuries. Modern mass production began in the 1800s. Bacon rose to popularity in North America in the 1920s/30s.
Nutritional Content: Calories, Fat, Sodium
When it comes to nutrition, spam and bacon have very different profiles:
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Calories 2 slices of spam contain 153 calories. 2 slices of bacon also have 153 calories. However bacon has more calories per gram.
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Fat: 2 slices of spam contain 10g total fat, 4g saturated. 2 slices of bacon contain 12g total fat, 4.5g saturated. So bacon is higher in both total and saturated fat.
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Sodium: This is where there is a major difference. 2 slices of spam contain 630mg sodium while 2 slices of bacon only have 288mg. Spam is extremely high in sodium compared to the daily 2300mg limit.
Based on the nutrition alone, spam is looking worse so far with its super high sodium amounts. Now let’s look at the ingredients.
Concerning Ingredients in Spam
The ingredients in spam and bacon also vary significantly:
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Spam contains pork shoulder, ham, salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and most concerning – sodium nitrite.
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Bacon contains pork belly, water, sea salt, sugar, sodium phosphate, maple sugar, and natural wood smoke flavoring.
Sodium nitrite is considered the most worrisome ingredient in spam. This preservative can form carcinogenic nitrosamines when exposed to high heat. Studies show frequent processed meat consumption is linked to increased colorectal cancer risk. The WHO warns processed meat is a Group 1 carcinogen.
So spam’s added nitrites make it more potentially harmful than bacon.
Impact of Frying Method
Both spam and bacon are typically fried before eating. The high heat and oil creates compounds like AGEs, aldehydes, and lipid peroxidation products that can increase oxidative stress in the body.
However, bacon likely produces more of these harmful compounds when fried because it releases significantly more fat and grease compared to the leaner spam.
The Pros and Cons of Each Meat
To summarize so far:
Spam Pros:
- Lower in total and saturated fat
- More protein per calorie
- Lower cost
Spam Cons:
- Extremely high in sodium
- Contains sodium nitrite
- Still fried at high heat
Bacon Pros:
- Lower in sodium
- No chemical preservatives
Bacon Cons:
- Higher in saturated fat
- Releases more fat when fried
- More expensive
Long-Term Health Impacts
Eating processed meats often is associated with higher risk of:
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Heart disease – Sodium raises blood pressure; saturated fat raises LDL cholesterol
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Type 2 diabetes – Nitrites may impair insulin production
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Cancer – Cured meats are classified as carcinogens
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Kidney problems – Excess sodium strains the kidneys
So which meat is potentially more harmful for long-term health? Based on the research, spam appears to pose more concerns with its very high sodium content and added nitrites.
The Verdict: Is Spam or Bacon Worse?
After reviewing all the nutritional stats, ingredients, and potential health impacts – spam comes out as the unhealthier processed meat compared to bacon.
While neither can be considered a health food, the astronomical sodium levels and presence of nitrites in spam make it the worse option for your health. Of course, both meats are best consumed only in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet.
To minimize risk, I recommend choosing nitrite-free bacon in small portions a couple times a month. For spam, look for lower-sodium options if you do indulge. And always balance any processed meats with plenty of fruits, veggies, and other whole foods.
If this were an old-timey cartoon, I’d be sneezing as soon as I opened the Spam with black pepper.
My first thought is that this flavor will be too strong, which makes me sad because I love pepper.
But salt and pepper is a classic, perfect combination, and theres a lot of salt in Spam. Maybe the two will equal out and achieve perfect balance together.
I’d be surprised if teriyaki Spam were anything less than great.
First impression: Im really excited about this one. Teriyaki sauce makes everything better, and I think the sweetness is going to compliment the salty Spam nicely. Advertisement.
The Absolute Best And Worst Spam Flavors
Does Spam bacon taste good?
Despite the fact that Spam Bacon had significantly less sodium than classic original Spam, it tasted incredibly salty. The sugar helped counteract a bit of the sodium. Overall, this product really did have genuine bacon flavor, though it lacked the crispness we expect from the breakfast staple.
Who invented bacon & spam?
Soon, the process was adopted by Greeks and Romans. These days, you’ll find bacon the world over. Spam, meanwhile, is a canned lunch meat that was invented by Hormel Foods in Austin, Minnesota, in 1937.
What is the difference between spam and processed meat?
Spam is high in calories, fat and sodium but also contains some protein, zinc, potassium, iron and copper. Processed meat is any type of meat that has been cured, canned, smoked or dried to increase its shelf life and enhance its taste and texture.
Is spam bad for You?
Summary Spam is a type of processed meat, and thus eating it may be associated with a higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, COPD, high blood pressure and certain types of cancer. Spam contains sodium nitrite, a common food additive that is used to prevent the growth of bacteria and improve the flavor and appearance of the final product.
Is spam a healthy food?
Spam is a popular canned meat product made with ground pork, ham and various flavoring agents and preservatives. Spam is high in sodium, fat and calories. It also provides a little protein and several micronutrients, such as zinc, potassium, iron and copper. One two-ounce (56-gram) serving of Spam contains ( 1 ):
What does spam taste like?
Review: I love everything about Spam, from the slightly unsettling aroma that it has uncooked to the unique (take that however you will) flavor. It tastes like the crispiest part of bacon when cooked right, but with more salt, somehow. Spam with tocino seasoning seems like it will taste like sweet bacon, so it should be good.