If you're a fan of bacon, you know how important it is to track your intake. One cooked slice (15 g) of Applewood Smoked Uncured Bacon contains around 70 calories. So, what else do you need to know about this popular breakfast meat?

In addition to calories, it's important to understand the other nutritional information in one slice of bacon. This includes fat and saturated fats, protein, carbohydrates, cholesterol, and sodium levels.

In this article, we'll explore how to cook and serve bacon, as well as its benefits for your health.

Caloric Value

As previously mentioned, one cooked slice (15 g) of Applewood Smoked Uncured Bacon contains around 70 calories. This makes it a relatively low-calorie option for breakfast or as an addition to meals. However, it's important to keep in mind that calories can quickly add up if you're eating multiple slices or other high-calorie foods alongside your bacon.

Fat Content

In addition to calories, one slice of bacon contains around 6 grams of fat. While fat is an essential nutrient in our diet, it's important to choose sources of healthy fats like those found in fish, nuts, and seeds. Bacon, on the other hand, contains predominantly saturated and trans fats, which can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease if consumed in excess.

Saturated Fats

About 2 grams of the total 6 grams of fat in one slice of bacon are saturated fats. While some saturated fat can be part of a healthy diet in moderation, it's recommended to keep intake to less than 10% of calories. Too much saturated fat can increase the level of LDL cholesterol in the blood, which can increase the risk of heart disease.

Protein Content

One slice of bacon contains around 3 grams of protein. While protein is important for building and repairing tissue in the body, there are many other sources of protein that are healthier than bacon including fish, chicken, beans, and tofu.

Carbohydrate Content

Bacon is a low-carbohydrate food, with less than 1 gram of carbs per slice. This makes it a popular choice for those following low-carb or ketogenic diets. However, it's important to still choose a balanced variety of foods for optimal health.

Cholesterol Level

One slice of bacon contains around 10 milligrams of cholesterol. While dietary cholesterol doesn't have as big of an impact on blood cholesterol levels as previously thought, it's still important to watch intake if you have high blood cholesterol levels or a family history of heart disease.

Sodium Content

Bacon is a high-sodium food, with around 190 milligrams of sodium per slice. Excessive sodium intake can increase blood pressure and the risk of heart disease. It's recommended to limit sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams per day for most adults.

Vitamins and Minerals

While bacon is not a significant source of vitamins or minerals, it does contain small amounts of vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, and vitamin E. It also contains small amounts of minerals including iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. However, these quantities are minimal compared to other nutrient-dense foods.

Cooking and Serving Suggestions

Bacon can be cooked in a variety of ways including frying, baking, and grilling. To reduce the fat and calorie content, try baking bacon in the oven on a wire rack so it can drain or choose a leaner cut of bacon like turkey bacon. Bacon can be enjoyed as part of a balanced breakfast or as a topping on salads, sandwiches, and burgers.

Health Benefits

While bacon is not considered a health food due to its high fat, sodium, and calorie content, it can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Bacon contains small amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals, and can add flavor to meals without adding too many calories. However, it's important to choose healthy cooking methods and limit intake to avoid weight gain and other health issues.