Is Pork Or Turkey Bacon Healthier?

Pork and turkey bacon are both meat products that can be served as part of a variety of recipes, and both are rich sources of protein. While pork and turkey bacon share these similarities, the two meat types do differ in several ways, so you may find one significantly more appropriate for your diet than the other. Note that cooking either meat in oil or butter will alter the nutritional content.

Calories

If you're trying to lose weight, pork is the preferable option, as it contains fewer calories per serving. A 3-oz. serving of pork tenderloin provides 125 calories, while 3 oz. of turkey bacon contains 321. This means that if you ate 3 oz. of pork tenderloin each day instead of 3 oz. of turkey bacon, you'd save 1,372 calories in a week, enough to lose more than 1/3 of a pound.

Fat

If you want to cut fat intake, consuming pork would be the better option. A 3-oz. serving of pork tenderloin contains just 3.4 g of fat, compared to 23.4 g in 3 oz. of turkey bacon. In addition, turkey bacon is much higher in saturated fat, with 7 g compared to 1 g in pork. Consuming too much saturated fat may increase your risk of heart disease, so the USDA recommends consuming 15 g or fewer each day.

Protein

Both pork and turkey bacon are rich in protein. Turkey bacon provides slightly more, with 25 g in each 3-oz. serving compared to 22 g in 3 oz. of pork tenderloin. Your body uses protein to build and repair muscle and your other bodily tissues. The Institute of Medicine recommends that you eat at least .8 g of protein per kg of body weight each day.

Carbohydrates

Both turkey bacon and pork are appropriate for low-carbohydrate diets, as 3 oz. of the former contains just 2.6 g, while pork contains no carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are your body's primary source of energy, but reducing your carbohydrate intake may help you lose weight.

Sodium

Pork can be healthier than turkey bacon because it is much lower in sodium. Each 3-oz. serving of pork contains just 48 mg, while 3 oz. of turkey bacon contains 1,919 mg. The recommended daily limit is 2,300 mg, as too much sodium can increase your blood pressure.