Keto diets are becoming the talk of the town because of their outstanding results and considerably lower dietary restrictions. It allows foods that would otherwise be on our no-go list when dieting, such as pork rinds and chicken wings. Yum, right?
Although one of the most engrossing parts of keto is getting to know the foods you can eat, this ordeal can also be quite confusing.
Considerable uncertainty revolves amongst keto-lovers about the foods that would not interrupt their ketosis. One such burning question is about bacon: can you eat bacon on keto?
What about Canadian bacon: Is Canadian Bacon Keto Friendly?
Let us end this prevalent confusion once and for all by answering the question, “is Canadian bacon keto-friendly” and delving into several other crunchy facts (pun intended!)
What is Canadian Bacon?
Canadian bacon is derived from the eye of the pork loin, which is the center of the pig's back. Apart from this widely agreed upon consensus, Canadian bacon can mean variable things in different parts of the world.
In the United States, Canadian bacon is simply plain slender back bacon. You must cook this trichina-treated bacon before eating it in the U.S.
However, in Canada, Canadian bacon is merely back bacon, traditionally unsmoked and coated in yellow cornmeal after curing in a sweet pickle. This kind of bacon is also known as peameal bacon because it was covered in a mixture of ground yellow peas in the past to increase shelf-life and enhance curing.
Is Canadian Bacon Different From Regular Bacon?
In the United States, regular bacon is generally smoked and streaky cured slices, whereas Canadian bacon resembles ham. Simply speaking, the fatty pig belly makes up the regular American bacon, whereas the pig loin makes the Canadian bacon.
Therefore, Canadian bacon is relatively thinner than regular American bacon and comes in circular slices instead of long-strip ones.
Is Canadian Bacon The Same As Ham?
Canadian bacon is not similar to ham. The chief distinction between the two is that Canadian bacon is derived from the loin cut in the pig's back, whereas ham comes from the rear legs or butt of the pig.
They are also different in their availability: Canadian bacon is generally available in both thick and thin slices, whereas ham typically comes in wide slabs of fleshy meat, cubes, and even cuts.
Is Canadian Bacon Keto Friendly?
Now comes the burning question: is Canadian bacon keto-friendly? Thankfully, yes! Canadian bacon is keto friendly!
Keto diets entail adhering to a strict diet regimen with a particular number of protein and calorie intake instructions. Low-carb diets induce ketosis in the body due to low salt levels in the blood.
Bacon possesses a naturally high sodium level which helps maintain a moderate body salt level, ensuring smooth metabolism operation and soaring and fast digestion.
The USDA recommends that the daily sodium intake level be 23000 milligrams, which is quite insufficient for a low-carb, keto diet. Therefore, individuals on a keto diet should add about 3000 to 5000 milligrams of sodium to their diet each day to satisfy their bodily requirements.
Eating about three normal-sized pieces of Canadian bacon daily on a keto diet can add about 2000 mg of natural salt to your body's daily intake, helping meet the necessary salt requirements for a healthy diet.
Additionally, Canadian bacon does not contain any nitrates, which is an additional plus point.
Although the answer to “is Canadian bacon keto-friendly?” is a yes, it turns into a big YES because bacon consumption can facilitate electrolyte creation in the body. Electrolytes are the necessary minerals in salt that are produced by the body.
A lack of electrolytes can cause headaches, cramps, and fatigue, which can now be treated with a few slices of yummy bacon! Say goodbye to electrolyte-inducing medicines because Canadian bacon is here to save the day!
A few normal-sized strips of Canadian bacon every day can augment electrolyte production, which usually faces a deterioration because of low carb intake.
However, just as an excess of everything is undesirable, too much bacon intake can disrupt your ketosis. An adequate amount of bacon can supplement a keto diet by prompting electrolyte generation through maximized sodium levels.
Such a keto diet can help you lose weight while eating delicious food, quite contrary to the general perception of dieting.
What Kind Of Bacon Can You Eat On The Keto Diet?
Although several orthodox diet plans restrict bacon consumption, you can eat some crunchy Canadian bacon without the guilt of eating unhealthily. Almost all kinds of bacon contain healthy fat content and omega-3 fatty acids comparable to those found in fish.
However, when shopping for bacon on your keto diet, you must opt for a nitrate-free and sugar-free option.
How Many Calories Are There In One Serving Of Keto-Friendly Canadian Bacon?
Three normal slices of Canadian bacon, with a serving size of 51 grams, have about 60 kilocalories. The nutrient value of this serving is as follows:
| Serving Size | 3 Slices |
| Serving Weight | 51 grams |
| Calories | 60kcal |
| Total Carbs | 1g |
| Net Carbs | 1g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Starch | 0g |
| Sugar | 1g |
| Sugar Alcohols | 0g |
| Protein | 10g |
| Fat | 1.5g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.5g |
| Cholesterol | 30mg |
| Glycemic Load | 0g |
| Sodium | 460mg |
| Vitamin A | 0mcg |
| Vitamin C | 15mg |
| Vitamin D | 0mcg |
Is Canadian Bacon Healthy For You?
Canadian bacon is unequivocally a healthier and better option than regular American bacon. Not only are they slimmer than regular bacon, but they also have fewer calories.
American bacon has about 10-12 grams of fat per ounce of meat, whereas Canadian bacon possesses about 1 gram of fat and 30 calories per ounce.
Canadian bacon also contains a higher protein quantity: approximately 12 grams per serving. This means that one serving of Canadian bacon taken for breakfast can account for 20% – 60g – of the total everyday protein requirement.
However, eating Canadian bacon regularly is not suitable as it contains a large amount of sodium. A typical two-slice portion of this meat contains about 500 mg of salt and thus should be taken in moderation.
Can Canadian Bacon be Keto Friendly?
Yes, Canadian bacon can be keto-friendly and is a diet-conscious person's dream come true. Want to eat some crispy bacon and eggs for breakfast? Go for it. Wish to put cream in your coffee? You got it. Slather some butter on your food because the keto diet is not what you expect a traditional diet to be.
This diet limits carbohydrate intake to 30 grams per day, allowing you to intake the remaining 75% of calories from fat. A decreased quantity of carbohydrates induces ketosis in the body, reducing weight.
Bacon can be keto-friendly because it is very low in carbs and rich in other beneficial nutrients and compounds. Some other examples of zero or low-carb foods include cold cuts, poultry, and red meat.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know about the yummy and beneficial aspects of the keto diet and the answer to “is Canadian bacon keto friendly?”, put some bacon and cold cuts in your shopping cart the next time you go shopping and enjoy them guilt-free.
Have some other questions you are afraid to ask others because of how uncommon they are? We got you covered. We endeavor to make you the most knowledgeable and healthiest person out there!
Click on one of the links below to learn about more keto friendly foods:
Are Sardines In Mustard Sauce Keto Friendly?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between bacon and Canadian bacon?
Standard American bacon is taken from the fatty belly of the pig while Canadian bacon is cut from the loin. Consequently, the Canadian bacon is much more leaner and comes in rounded slices.
Is Canadian bacon fully cooked?
Canadian bacon already comes pre-cooked but you can still fry it a bit to add more flavor and texture.
Can I eat Canadian bacon while pregnant?
Yes! It's completely okay to eat Canadian bacon while you're pregnant.