Breakfast should not be difficult! Especially when meal planning, you want to prepare foods that are fresh and can be stored for several days. Each breakfast meal prep bowl contains two slices of turkey bacon, scrambled eggs, and a few avocado slices for extra fat. You could also make this as a family breakfast for 2-4 people, or cut the recipe in half to make one fresh breakfast for yourself. It’s not that you have to use the recipe for meal prep, but it sure makes things easier! This recipe makes two bowls, so you can easily double it to last you through the week! .
The keto diet, with its emphasis on high fat, moderate protein, and very low carb intake, has become a popular choice for weight loss and overall health improvement. However, navigating the world of keto-friendly foods can be tricky, especially when it comes to beloved breakfast staples like bacon So, the burning question arises: is turkey bacon keto?
Understanding the Keto Diet and its Macronutrient Breakdown
Let’s first get a firm grasp of the keto diet and its macronutrient breakdown before delving into the world of turkey bacon. The ketogenic diet, sometimes abbreviated as “keto,” is a low-carb, moderate-protein, high-fat dietary plan. Usually, it entails limiting daily carbohydrate intake to 20–50 grams, which forces the body to use fat as fuel rather than glucose. This change in metabolism, called ketosis, has a number of possible advantages, such as increased energy, better blood sugar regulation, and weight loss.
The macronutrient breakdown of a typical keto diet looks something like this:
- Fat: 70-80% of total daily calories
- Protein: 20-25% of total daily calories
- Carbohydrates: 5-10% of total daily calories
Deciphering the Keto-Friendliness of Turkey Bacon
Now, let’s address the main question: can you enjoy turkey bacon while adhering to the keto diet? The answer is a resounding yes, but with a few caveats.
Turkey bacon, compared to its pork counterpart boasts a lower fat content and slightly higher protein content. While this might seem like a disadvantage for keto enthusiasts seeking high-fat fuel, turkey bacon still fits comfortably within the keto macros. A typical serving of turkey bacon (2 slices) contains approximately:
- Calories: 60
- Fat: 3 grams
- Protein: 10 grams
- Carbohydrates: 0 grams
As evident from these numbers, turkey bacon provides a decent amount of protein and negligible carbohydrates, making it a keto-friendly option. However, it’s important to remember that the fat content is lower compared to pork bacon, which contains around 8 grams of fat per 2-slice serving.
Making Informed Choices: Comparing Turkey Bacon and Pork Bacon on Keto
While both turkey bacon and pork bacon can be incorporated into a keto diet, understanding their differences can help you make informed choices based on your individual goals and preferences.
Fat Content:
- Turkey Bacon: Lower in fat, providing around 3 grams per 2-slice serving.
- Pork Bacon: Higher in fat, offering approximately 8 grams per 2-slice serving.
Protein Content:
- Turkey Bacon: Slightly higher in protein, with around 10 grams per 2-slice serving.
- Pork Bacon: Lower in protein, containing approximately 6 grams per 2-slice serving.
Carbohydrate Content:
- Both Turkey Bacon and Pork Bacon: Contain negligible amounts of carbohydrates (less than 1 gram per 2-slice serving).
Micronutrients:
- Turkey Bacon: Rich in B vitamins, particularly B12, which is essential for energy production and nervous system function.
- Pork Bacon: A good source of selenium, a mineral that supports thyroid function and immune health.
Integrating Turkey Bacon into Your Keto Meal Plan
Here are some ideas for preparing meals that include turkey bacon if you’ve made the decision to embrace it as part of your keto journey:
- Enjoy it for breakfast: Start your day with a keto-friendly breakfast that includes turkey bacon, scrambled eggs, and a side of low-carb vegetables like spinach or mushrooms.
- Add it to salads: Enhance the flavor and protein content of your keto salads by adding chopped turkey bacon.
- Use it as a pizza topping: Create a delicious keto pizza with a cauliflower crust, topped with cheese, turkey bacon, and your favorite low-carb vegetables.
- Wrap it around asparagus or other vegetables: For a quick and easy keto snack, wrap turkey bacon around asparagus spears or other low-carb vegetables and bake until crispy.
Remember: Moderation is Key
While turkey bacon is a keto-friendly option, it’s important to remember that moderation is key. As with any food, overindulging in turkey bacon can lead to exceeding your daily fat and calorie limits, potentially hindering your keto progress.
To sum up, turkey bacon is a good choice for people on a ketogenic diet. It is a keto-friendly option because of its moderate protein and low carbohydrate content, which lets you enjoy the flavor of bacon without going against your dietary plans. But to maximize your health and weight loss efforts, keep in mind to consume it in moderation and balance it with other keto-friendly foods.
Other things to add to the meal prep
You can add other ingredients to your meal prep container to increase the nutrition. Add some dark greens, like fresh spinach or arugula, to the warm scrambled eggs to help them wilt. You could add diced vegetables to your scrambled eggs or even other diced meats. For more fat, try cooking your scrambled eggs with coconut oil!.
Avocado might seem green and mushy, but it’s loaded with healthy nutrition you need on your Keto diet. An ounce of avocado has about 4 grams of fats and only about 2 grams of carbs. Those fats are rich with omega-3 fatty acids, which help combat bad cholesterol. Avocados also have magnesium and vitamins B and C.