Welcome to the best guide to bacon for the keto diet! In this guide, you’ll learn about the best sugar-free bacon options, how much fat and protein bacon has, and how to add bacon to your low-carb diet. Well also share our favorite keto bacon recipes!.
You might be wondering, “Is bacon keto?”. Well, yes, a 100% yes! Its no secret that keto dieters love their bacon, and reasonably so. It tastes so good, pairs well with various foods, and, most importantly, is perfect for ketosis. Its high in fat and protein and low in carbs.
But not all bacon is created equal regarding its keto-friendly quality. So, you must be able to choose the best bacon for your low-carb diet. [feast_advanced_jump_to].
As a Canadian keto dieter, one question I get asked a lot is whether peameal bacon can fit into a low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet Peameal bacon is a hugely popular cured and cornmeal-coated pork product in Canada But with its sweet flavor and starchy coating, can it work for keto?
I decided to take a close look at peameal bacon’s macros and ingredients to determine if this iconic Canadian delicacy deserves a place in keto meal plans.
What is Peameal Bacon?
First, what exactly is peameal bacon? It goes by a few other names like Canadian bacon or back bacon Here’s a quick primer
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Made from pork loin rather than belly meat like regular bacon
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Cured and brined for seasoning.
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Rolled in cornmeal (originally pea meal) to coat.
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Sliced thin or thick-cut.
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Sold raw or pre-cooked.
Its leaner meat and ample cornmeal coating give peameal bacon a different nutrition profile than fattier pork belly bacon. But does that make it keto-approved? Let’s break it down.
Analyzing Peameal Bacon Nutrition for Keto
The carb and fat content of peameal bacon can vary slightly by brand. But based on nutrition data, a typical serving provides:
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Total carbs: Around 2g per serving
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Net carbs: Around 2g per serving
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Fat: Around 4g per serving
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Protein: Around 15g per serving
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Calories: Around 100 per serving
Given its lowish carb count compared to fat and protein, peameal bacon can likely fit into a daily keto plan that keeps net carbs under 50g. However, that cornmeal coating does mean you get slightly fewer fat grams than regular bacon.
Watching Sodium on Keto
One nutrition note with peameal bacon is that it provides a hefty dose of sodium at around 25% of the daily value per serving.
This isn’t necessarily bad on keto as higher sodium helps reduce keto flu symptoms and replaces electrolytes lost through increased urine output. But it’s something to keep in mind for those monitoring sodium levels.
Picking the Right Peameal Bacon Brand
Not all peameal bacon options are created equal. When selecting a keto-friendly product:
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Check no wheat or fillers are added to the cornmeal coating.
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Look for minimal ingredients and no added sugars in the brine.
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Opt for uncured peameal bacon without potentially questionable nitrates or preservatives.
Two reputable Canadian brands that fit the bill are LOU’S OLD FASHION PEAMEAL BACON and MAJOR PEAMEAL BACON. Both tick the boxes for simple, keto-appropriate ingredients.
Alternatives for Keto Diets
While regular peameal bacon likely won’t kick most people out of ketosis given modest carb amounts, there are some lower carb alternatives to consider:
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Turkey peameal bacon swaps poultry for pork, reducing fat slightly.
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Prosciutto provides salt-cured Italian pork flair without the cornmeal.
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Pancetta offers Italian-style pork belly meat without the sweetness.
So you have options if you want to minimize carbs, fat, or sodium compared to regular peameal bacon.
Tips for Enjoying Peameal Bacon on Keto
If peameal bacon fits your daily macros and ingredient preferences, go ahead and enjoy it on keto! Here are serving suggestions:
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Pair it with eggs for a classic bacon and eggs start to the day.
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Chop it over salads for a salty, smoky topping.
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Crumble it into Brussels sprouts before roasting.
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Add it to keto cheese biscuits for a savory boost.
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Use it in low-carb taco fillings for a flavor kick.
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Toss chopped peameal bacon into keto chili.
With some creativity, peameal bacon can absolutely complement a well-formulated ketogenic diet. This iconic Canadian delicacy need not be completely shunned on keto.
The Verdict: Peameal Bacon Can Work for Keto
As a proud Canadian, I’m relieved to report that our beloved peameal bacon can indeed be enjoyed in moderation on a keto diet. The slightly higher carbs compared to regular bacon mean you can’t go overboard with heaping helpings. But used sensibly as a flavor enhancer, there’s room for peameal bacon in a keto approach.
At the end of the day, balance and sustainability win out over strict exclusion of classic foods like peameal bacon that provide comfort and happiness. For this Canuck keto dieter, an occasional peameal bacon indulgence remains happily on the menu!
The best bacon for keto diet
If you’re on a low-carb diet, there are some sugar-free bacon brands that stand out as the best. They all have no added sugar. Here are our top bacon brands:
These three brands offer sugar-free bacon with high-quality ingredients. However, numerous brands exist, and your local grocery store may differ from ours. So, keep reading to learn how to select the best bacon for keto!.
Thick cut vs. regular bacon cut
Bacon usually comes in two main slice varieties: thick cut and regular slice. As the name implies, thick-sliced bacon is thicker than regular bacon, ranging from ⅛ to ¼ inch. The regular bacon has thinner cuts, around 1/16 of an inch.
- This means that thick cut has a lot of fat, is chewy, and takes longer to cook. When you serve bacon slices as a side dish, go for it.
- This is the right cut for a recipe like Jalapeño Popper Chicken where you wrap the chicken in bacon. It cooks more evenly.
Make Your Own Canadian Bacon and Save – Keto Friendly – Low Carb – No Sugar
FAQ
How many carbs are in peameal bacon?
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Per 100 grams
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% Daily Value
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Carbohydrate 1g
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Fibre 0g Sugars 0g
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Protein 14g
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Potassium 250mg
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5%
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Is peameal bacon healthy?
However, in general, peameal bacon is a good source of protein and contains fewer calories and fat than regular bacon. Additionally, it’s a good option for those who are following a low-carb diet, as it contains only 2 grams of net carbs per serving. Peameal bacon has some health benefits, but also some risks that should be considered.
Can I eat bell peppers on a keto diet?
Yes, bell peppers are okay to eat on a ketogenic diet. This is because one cup will have around 10 grams of carbohydrates, you will need to make sure to keep your carbohydrate intake low, to continue to follow your keto diet, so be sure to monitor your carbohydrate intake. Before you start any diet, you should consult your doctor or a dietitian.
Can you eat peameal bacon for breakfast?
Peameal bacon can be served as a breakfast side, just as strip bacon is or it can be served on a decadent breakfast sandwich or in a dish akin to eggs Benedict. Aside from specialty U.S. producers like North Country Smokehouse, peameal bacon is found mostly in Canada.
Is Bacon keto friendly?
Adding bacon to your keto diet can boost your protein and fat intake while also reducing your risk of developing diabetes. Sugar-free bacon is a good choice for a keto diet because it contains six grams of fat and six grams of protein per slice.
Does peameal bacon need to be cooked?
And peameal bacon must be cooked before serving, according to Food Network, which recommends griddling the peameal bacon, noting that the pork can also be cooked by baking, barbecuing, or roasting. How does peameal bacon stack up nutritionally?
Is peameal bacon smoked?
Peameal bacon isn’t typically smoked and before the pork loin is cured, it’s carefully trimmed, which Atlas Obscura explains makes the thinly sliced breakfast meat juicy and tender when it’s cooked, rather than crisp, like traditional strip bacon.