You can use bacon bits instead of cooking on the griddle if you don’t want to. They will add something extra to your next meal. For years, there have been rumors that bacon bits are vegan. However, because so many companies have made money off of small pieces of bacon, you can find bacon bits with or without real meat.
Not so much the ingredients as the taste, at least when it comes to this mass-produced condiment. After all, what could be better than bacon (or bacon-adjacent) sprinkles, no effort required?.
If you want to put some work into your next meal, though, bacon bits you make yourself are likely to be much better than store-bought ones. It all just depends on where your priorities lie. If ease of use is more important than taste, though, you probably already have bacon bits in the fridge for when you need them. Heres everything you need to know about them.
Bacon bits are a popular topping for foods like salads, baked potatoes, and casseroles. Their crunchy texture and smoky, salty flavor make them hard to resist. But are those tempting bacon bits actually good for you, or should they be avoided?
The Problem With Most Store-Bought Bacon Bits
The bacon bits you find in the grocery store aisle often contain no real bacon at all. Instead they are made from textured soy protein or soy flour artificial flavor, lots of sodium, and preservatives.
While they may taste similar to real bacon, these imitation bacon bits provide little nutritional value. They lack protein, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. The biggest problem with store-bought bacon bits is their extremely high sodium content. Just one tablespoon contains over 300 mg of sodium, which is about 15% of the recommended daily value.
Consuming high amounts of sodium has been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney problems, fluid retention, and stroke The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day.
In addition to high sodium, some brands contain concerning ingredients like sodium nitrite, sodium erythorbate, and artificial smoke flavoring. These chemical additives have been linked to potential health risks.
Healthier Homemade Bacon Bits
To avoid the additives and excess sodium found in most commercial bacon bits, consider making your own at home.
You can easily bake real bacon slices in the oven until nice and crispy. Let the cooked bacon cool and then break it up into bite-sized pieces. Store the homemade bacon bits in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
By controlling the ingredients, you can avoid unwanted additives like sodium nitrite found in packaged bacon from the store. Choosing uncured bacon made without chemical preservatives is healthiest.
You can also experiment with plant-based bacon alternatives made from ingredients like coconut, eggplant, mushrooms, or tempeh. This allows you to skip the saturated fat and sodium of regular bacon.
Homemade bacon bits are delicious sprinkled onto salads, baked potatoes, omelets, casseroles, and more. You get all the smoky flavor without the health downsides.
Are Real Bacon Bits Bad For You?
What about real bacon bits made from actual crumbled bacon? Brands like Hormel and Oscar Mayer offer bacon bits made from real cured and smoked pork belly.
While these contain more protein and less sodium than imitation bacon bits, they are still highly processed and high in sodium. Two tablespoons of real bacon bits contains around 480 mg of sodium, which is over 20% of the daily recommended amount.
Real bacon bits are also high in saturated fat, with 2 tablespoons providing around 3.5 grams. Too much saturated fat has been associated with increased LDL cholesterol levels and heart disease risk.
However, studies show that not all saturated fats have the same health effects. The saturated fat in bacon is mostly palmitic acid, which may not impact cholesterol levels as much as other fatty acids.
Overall, consuming real bacon bits occasionally is likely fine for most people. But they should not be a daily staple due to their high sodium and saturated fat content. Homemade bacon bits in moderation remain the healthier choice.
How To Use Bacon Bits In a Healthy Way
Here are some tips for enjoying bacon bits as part of a healthy diet:
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Use real or homemade bacon bits sparingly as a garnish or topping. Measure out just 1-2 tablespoons and sprinkle over salads, baked potatoes, soups, etc.
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Combine bacon bits with nutrient-rich foods like salads, whole grains, beans, vegetables, eggs, etc. Avoid using them to just add flavor to unhealthy foods.
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Skip bacon bits altogether and use other flavorful, low-sodium toppings like herbs, spices, lemon juice, diced avocado, or sauteed mushrooms.
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If buying pre-made bacon bits, compare brands and choose options with no artificial ingredients, nitrites, or excessive sodium.
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Look for lower-sodium real bacon bits with around 150-200 mg per serving. Or make your own baked bacon bits using uncured bacon.
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Use imitation bacon bits very sparingly, if at all. They offer no nutrition and contain excessive sodium and chemical additives.
The Bottom Line
Imitation bacon bits made from soy and flavorings offer no nutritional value and are high in sodium. While real bacon bits are a better option, they are still highly processed and high in sodium. For the healthiest results, make your own bacon bits at home using real uncured bacon.
Enjoy homemade or lower-sodium real bacon bits in moderation along with nutrient-dense foods. Limit serving sizes to 1-2 tablespoons and avoid making them an everyday food topper. With some care taken in preparation and portion sizes, bacon bits can still have a place in an overall healthy diet.
Bacon bits last on your shelf for up to two years
The expiration date for bacon bits differs depending on which brand — and how much actual bacon — you prefer, but at the top of the list is McCormicks Bacn Pieces, which can last up to two years from the manufacture date. More authentic versions of the product have a much shorter shelf-life — the fewer the preservatives, of course, the less time you have to waste eating anything not covered in bacon bits.
McCormicks Bacn Pieces, on the other hand, have been rumored to last years past their official expiry date. One Amazon consumer, a self-described “prepper,” claims her Bacn Pieces have remained edible for “at least ten years. You might not want to eat bacon bits for that long, but it’s good to know that McCormicks will spice up your end-of-the-world food if it comes (if it hasn’t already).
Bacon bits are highly processed
Whether vegan- or omnivore-friendly, your store-bought bacon bits are pretty much guaranteed to contain highly processed ingredients. Wide Open Eats tested three popular brands and found that even Oscar Mayers “Real Bacon Bits” contained harmful ingredients despite its self-proclaimed authenticity. At the very least, Oscar Mayer bacon bits contain cured pork meat. Unfortunately, additional ingredients include artificial hickory smoke flavoring and sodium nitrate, a chemical commonly used in the production of fertilizers, explosives, and high-strength glass.
Still, Oscar Mayer seems downright organic compared to McCormick, one of bacon bits most famous distributors. It’s not a surprise that McCormick bacon bits don’t contain real bacon if you know what they’re called: “Bacn Pieces.” ” As it turns out, bacn pieces are mostly soy, treated with various artificial flavors, red dye #40, caramel coloring (which can contain high levels of lead and arsenic, yum!), and a handful of unpronounceable chemicals to keep that processed soy tasting fresh.
What’s So Bad about BACON? (Truth about Bacon Safety) 2024
Is Bacon bad for You?
If you follow food trends, you know the bacon craze is still on. It seems whatever is served, this popular processed meat can figure in as a flavor booster, whether it’s for pizza, salad, dessert, or even liquor. Still, conflicting reports about bacon abound. First you hear it’s bad for you. Then it’s OK. So, should you eat it or not?
Can one eat bacon with diverticulosis?
You can eat bacon with diverticulosis, but it is not the most recommended. In a person with diverticulosis, it is recommended to consume foods with soluble fiber such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.
Are bacon bits healthy?
Eating them plain is also allowed, though it may not be considered a nutrient-dense meal. Whether or not you consider bacon a health food, by making your own bacon bits, you can ensure avoidance of the harsh chemicals often found in both real and artificial bacon bits products.
Are Oscar Mayer bacon bits bad for You?
Wide Open Eats tested three popular brands and found that even Oscar Mayer’s “Real Bacon Bits” contained harmful ingredients despite its self-proclaimed authenticity. At the very least, Oscar Mayer bacon bits contain cured pork meat.
Do some bacon bits have Bacon?
Bacon may be in its name but some bacon bits do not have any bacon at all! Find out what they’re made out of.
Can you eat bacon if you’re not healthy?
“Another problem is that bacon is usually part of a not-so-healthy meal like bacon and eggs with toast and butter — no produce — or in a sandwich with lots of mayonnaise and other processed meats,” Angelone says. “It comes back to what you’re eating overall.” Pair it with vitamin C. This can be a small glass of orange or vegetable juice.