Bacon is a staple breakfast food for many people. There’s just something irresistible about the smoky salty, savory flavor of crispy bacon. But what about when you’re following the Optavia plan? Can you still enjoy bacon when you’re limiting carbs and calories?
The short answer is yes! You absolutely can have bacon on Optavia While regular high-fat bacon packed with preservatives isn’t recommended, there are ways to add tasty turkey or other lean bacon to your Lean and Green meals. With a few simple tricks, you can give your bacon a flavor boost so it tastes like the real thing
In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know to enjoy mouthwatering bacon while following the Optavia program including
- How to count bacon in your Lean and Green meals
- Tips for choosing the healthiest bacon options
- Flavor hacks to make turkey or other lean bacon taste delicious
- Quick and easy seasoning blends to liven up your bacon
- Simple cooking methods for crispy, flavorful bacon
- Creative ways to add bacon flavor to Lean and Green recipes
So read on to learn how you can savor flavorful bacon as part of a healthy Optavia diet!
Counting Bacon in Your Lean and Green Meals
One of the most common Optavia diet questions is “Can I eat bacon?” The good news is that yes, you can! Bacon can absolutely be part of your Lean and Green meals if you account for it properly.
The Optavia program recommends lean proteins like turkey bacon as your healthiest bacon choice. When counting bacon in your Lean and Green meal:
- 2 slices of turkey bacon counts as 1 lean protein. Each slice is around 15 calories with 1 g protein.
- Turkey bacon contains minimal fat and carbs. 2 slices have 0 g carbs and 0 g fat.
- It’s nutritionally equivalent to 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk. So you can swap 1 cup of almond milk for 2 slices of turkey bacon.
- Count it as a condiment or lean protein, not a healthy fat. Turkey bacon doesn’t contain enough fat to count as a healthy fat option.
So feel free to add a couple slices of turkey bacon to your omelets, salads, wraps, and more! Just be mindful of portions and count it appropriately in your Lean and Green meal.
Choosing the Healthiest Bacon Options
Obviously not all bacon is created equal when it comes to nutrition and ingredients. Here are some tips for picking the healthiest bacon options for your Optavia diet:
- Look for turkey or chicken bacon. Turkey and chicken bacon have less fat and calories than pork bacon.
- Check the ingredients. Look for turkey or chicken bacon without added nitrates, nitrites, and other preservatives.
- Opt for uncured bacon. Uncured turkey bacon preserved with natural ingredients like celery powder is ideal.
- Choose bacon made from antibiotic-free poultry. This ensures you’re getting the cleanest ingredient sources.
- Look for reduced sodium options. Limiting sodium intake is important for heart health.
- Consider vegan bacon options. Brands like MorningStar Farms make bacon from soy protein and natural flavors.
- Check the calories and macros. Compare brands and choose options that fit your Lean and Green meal requirements.
Reading labels carefully helps you pick the healthiest bacon for your Optavia plan. Prioritize lean proteins and minimal additives.
Flavor Hacks for Delicious Turkey or Lean Bacon
The biggest complaint about turkey and other lean bacon options is that they lack the smoky, robust flavor of regular bacon. But there are easy ways to infuse your turkey bacon with satisfying flavor:
- Add seasoning blends. Use flavors like chipotle, maple, brown sugar or Cajun seasoning.
- Coat with dry rubs. Try rubs with spices like paprika, garlic, onion and pepper.
- Sprinkle on extra spices. Boost flavor with smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne, cinnamon, etc.
- Use sugar-free maple syrup. Brush on a touch of SF syrup for sweetness.
- Wrap around fillings. Wrap turkey bacon around fruits, cheeses, or lean meats for flavor bursts.
- Bake instead of microwaving. Baking helps retain moisture and makes it crispier.
With these simple tricks, you can make turkey or other lean bacon just as mouthwatering as the regular kind. Get creative with flavors to find options you love!
Seasoning Blend Ideas for Flavorful Bacon
Whipping up your own quick seasoning blends is an easy way to add loads of flavor to turkey or other lean bacon options. Here are some tasty combos to try:
Sweet and Savory:
- Cinnamon
- Paprika
- Dash of sugar-free maple syrup
Maple Bacon:
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Sugar-free maple syrup
BBQ Bacon:
- Smoked paprika
- Chili powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Brown sugar alternative
Pizza Bacon:
- Oregano
- Garlic powder
- Crushed red pepper
- Parmesan
Chorizo-Spiced Bacon:
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
Cajun Bacon:
- Paprika
- Cayenne
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Black pepper
Get creative and come up with your own signature blends! Homemade seasoning mixes make it easy to add lots of flavor without extra calories.
Easy Cooking Methods for Tasty Bacon
How you cook your turkey or lean bacon also makes a big difference in terms of flavor and texture. Here are some cooking tips:
- Bake it. Baking turkey bacon on a rack over a baking sheet avoids shrinkage and leaves it crispy. Bake at 400°F for 10-15 minutes.
- Use a non-stick pan. Cooking over medium heat in a non-stick skillet makes it crispy without the need for added oil.
- Microwave. Microwaving is quick but can dry out turkey bacon. Use for a soft texture or add to already cooked dishes.
- Grill it. Grilled turkey bacon gets nice char marks and smoky flavor from the grill.
- Air fry. An air fryer makes turkey bacon crisp without added oils. Cook at 390°F, flipping halfway.
- Bake in oven then broil. This gives you tender bacon with crispy edges.
Experiment to find your favorite preparation methods for optimal taste and texture. Crispy baked turkey bacon is hard to beat!
Creative Ways to Use Turkey or Lean Bacon
Beyond just eating it straight, there are so many ways to creatively use turkey or other lean bacon to add bold flavor to your Lean & Green meals:
- Breakfast tacos or wraps. Add crumbled bacon to egg or veggie wraps.
- Chicken carbonara. Use diced bacon in this creamy pasta alternative dish.
- Spinach & bacon salad. Top salads with crispy crumbled bacon.
- Bacon & goat cheese omelet. Include bacon crumbles in omelets.
- BLT lettuce wraps. Bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado in lettuce cups.
- Bacon-wrapped asparagus. Wrap seasoned, baked asparagus spears with turkey bacon.
- Bacon or turkey bacon bits. Use as a salad topping or mix into recipes.
- Bacon-flavored salad dressing. Add bacon fat or bacon flavoring to vinaigrettes.
With all these tasty recipe ideas, you’ll never get bored with turkey or lean bacon on the Optavia program. Get creative and find new ways to incorporate it into meals!
Frequently Asked Questions About Bacon on Optavia
Here are answers to some other common questions about eating bacon while following the Optavia plan:
Can you eat pork bacon on Optavia?
Pork bacon is higher in fat and not recommended. Turkey or lean chicken bacon are healthier choices.
What about bacon substitutes like Eggplant Bacon?
Yes, veggie-based bacon substitutes can work. Compare nutrition info and count as a veggie.
Is bacon allowed on Optimal Weight 5 & 1?
Yes, you can include turkey bacon as a lean protein as part of the 5 fuelings and 1 Lean and Green meal.
Can you eat bacon every day on Optavia?
It’s best to eat turkey or lean bacon in moderation, not daily. Focus on a variety of lean proteins.
Does turkey bacon count as a healthy fat?
No, it’s too low in fat. Turkey bacon counts as a lean protein or condiment.