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Oh bacon, you insanely tasty treat, ready to be devoured at all times of the day. If you’ve heard about the keto diet and are wondering “is bacon keto” before you actually commit, we support and salute you as this is not an easy commitment for most.
Let’s take a closer look at the ketogenic diet and see how our favorite food falls into that. We’ll also take a bacon-inspired dive into some delicious bacon recipes that will fuel you up and make you happy.
The keto diet is rich in fats and proteins and low in carbs. For our fellow bacon-enthusiasts, the real beauty of the keto diet rests in one food — bacon.
If you’ve been asking —is bacon keto, we’re here to tell you yes (and also encourage you to eat it). Among otherpork products, bacon is high in fat, making it in the ideal candidate for a keto-friendly, low carb breakfast. Bacon contains about 50% monounsaturated fats, with a large part of those being oleic acid — which is the same fatty acid olive oil is praised for. While we’re on the topic of bacon health, it’s also fun to note that a typical 3.5-ounce portion ofbacon contains:
So, with the keto diet, the rumors are true — you can have your bacon and eat it, too.
OurNo-Sugar Signature Dry-Rub Uncured Bacon is as good as it gets. With a rich and hearty flavor, you’ll also be pleased to hear that this Heritage Breed pork package is entirely keto certified. If you’re asking is bacon paleo, too, we’re happy to say our bacon is also paleo certified! We pulled the disappearing act with this tasty breakfast side dish (or main dish, depending on how you look at things) and lost the added sugar and artificial nitrates, which is one of the significant differences between cured vs uncured bacon. When we did, we found those distinguished pork flavors and dry-rub ingredients did all the talking. It’s just pork, salt, celery powder, and spices in this bacon. We never add nitrates or nitrites,just those that naturally occur in the celery powder. Plus, we never add water, which means more delicious bacon per pound for you,bacon lover. Serve this alongside all your morning scrambles and omelets. Consider sprinkling bacon crumbles on top of your avocado salad at lunch. Even line your dinner plate with bacon wrapped green beans or asparagus. Whatever it is that fits your fancy, get creative pairing bacon with other nutritious ingredients!
On the keto diet — and every diet, really — bacon isn’t just a breakfast food. When you’re following the keto lifestyle, bacon can be incorporated into breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack in-between.
When you’re following the keto diet, some classic dishes just call for an alteration or two. Replace your carb-filled noodles with some cauliflower instead, add some cheese and bacon, and you’ll be left with a cauliflower bacon casserole that takes no time to throw together. Better yet, it’s a good option for meal planning, as it can be made ahead and enjoyed throughout the week.
A simple but tasty dish, you can’t go wrong with bacon-wrapped asparagus. Wrap slices our bacon around some asparagus spears, and you’ll have a delightful, keto-friendly treat. Depending on the bacon to asparagus ratio you prefer, you can wrap a few asparagus spears at a time. This works well with the nice, thick slices you’ll find in our packages of bacon.
The wedge salad is always a bacon fan favorite and we’re pleased to share, it can easily be added to your list of keto-approved recipes. Simply cut your iceberg into wedges, top it with some thick blue cheese dressing, diced tomatoes, and red onion, then add the final ingredient — the crispy bacon.
It seems that bacon is sometimes wrongfully forgotten when it comes to soup. Luckily, the fact that the keto diet embraces heavy cream and bacon means that you can whip up a bacon soup in no time. Add some cheddar cheese to give it extra oomph and top it with something green like fresh chives or green onion. Make a big batch of bacon soup during cooler weather or to keep on hand for busy weeks.
Jalapeno poppers are a culinary delicacy, particularly when they’re paired with bacon and cream cheese. Cut your jalapenos in half, remove the seeds (unless you like things extra spicy), fill them with a mixture of cream cheese and diced bacon bits, then pop them in the oven. We’ll even go so far as to tell you — you can actually wrap them in bacon, too. Keep in mind this is a task reserved for only the biggest bacon fans in the crowd. But trust us when we say, it’s awesome and tasty and awesomely tasty.
Avocados and bacon are a match made in heaven. And sometimes, it’s just about how you serve them. Keto enthusiasts swear by BLT stuffed avocados and we do, too. Cut your avocados in half, scoop out the inside, then mash them together with chopped cooked bacon, tomatoes, some citrus juice, and seasonings. Stuff your mixture back into the avocado and relish in a BLT, fat-filled, keto-friendly dish.
On the keto diet, Brussels sprouts are your friend. They’re a hearty green that can be used in place of potatoes or enjoyed as a salad. They also taste amazing when combined with bacon. Pan roast your Brussels or throw them in the oven with some heavy cream and cheese for a decadent dish. Whatever you do, don’t forget the bacon. It’s the wonder ingredient that ties together an already tasty dish.
So, in addition to bacon, there is a good list of other foods that are keto-friendly. Use this as your starting point, then get creative with your dishes from there. From high-fat condiments to fatty fish, think of the keto diet as one of abundance rather than restriction. Add some bacon to the plate, and what more can you need?
If bacon can be prepared as uncured, how about other pork products? Have you been wondering “what is uncured ham and is it keto and paleo compliant?” Though ouruncured ham is a great source of protein and fat, it does have sugar in it’s natural cure recipe, which isn’t ideal for paleo and keto diets. Some other meats that are compliant with these low carb diets include red meat, steak, chicken, and turkey.Oh, and bacon.
Fish and seafood are welcomed on a keto diet, especially those that are fatty fish like salmon, trout, tuna, and mackerel. Coat your fish in some olive oil and fresh herbs, serve it alongside a mound of good greens, and you’ll be set.
Eggs are a little white powerhouse filled with golden yellow goodness in the center. You can boil them, fry them up in some grass-fed butter, scramble them, or make a bacon omelet. Going for pasteurized or omega-3 whole eggs is a good plan and remember, you can eat eggs at any point throughout the day (they aren’t just breakfast food, especially on the keto diet).
Because of their sugar content, you’ll want to stay away from condiments like ketchup and barbecue sauce. Instead, opt for high-fat condiments like mayonnaise. Add guacamole to jazz up your meals or incorporate a dollop of high-fat Greek yogurt. Make a batch of homemade salsa with tomatoes, onions, and cilantro and enjoy it throughout the week.
Avoid root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and parsnips. Instead, go for leafy greens like kale and spinach. Broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, cucumbers, and peppers are also good go-to's.
Butter, full-fat yogurt, cream, and cheese are also part of the keto diet. It’s said that grass-fed butter and unprocessed cheese is best when possible — think cheddar, goat, blue, or mozzarella.
Nuts like almonds, macadamia, and pecan nuts are good choices for your keto grocery list. You can also blend up your own nut butters and add them to just about anything for a wholesome snack.
Some fruit is frowned upon in the keto diet — but not berries. Raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries can be eaten in moderation. And if you really have a hankering for a sweet treat, make some whipped cream with coconut cream or real, full-fat cream. We’ve heard you can even sprinkle some crushed up bacon on this desert to get your daily keto fat intake.
If you’ve been wondering, “is bacon keto?”, we hope this article has settled your curiosities and provoked excitement for your keto journey ahead.
Bacon is a glorious ingredient for the keto diet or any diet. Whether you’re a bacon purist, or you like incorporating your bacon into things like casseroles and soups, we fully support your culinary creativity.
From all of us at Tender Belly, thanks for reading. We’re wishing you a bacon-fueled day ahead — now go out there and make something tasty for yourself.