Is Turkey Bacon Paleo?

Turkey bacon has become a popular alternative to traditional pork bacon. Marketed as a healthier choice, turkey bacon is often promoted as being lower in fat and sodium. But is turkey bacon actually paleo-friendly? Let’s take a closer look.

What is Turkey Bacon?

While regular pork bacon comes straight from the belly of the pig turkey bacon is a processed product made from turkey. Turkey bellies are much smaller than pig bellies so turkey bacon is made by blending together mechanically separated turkey parts. This makes the texture and appearance similar to bacon slices.

Common ingredients in mass-produced turkey bacon include

• Mechanically separated turkey
• Water
• Sugar or maple syrup
• Salt
• Preservatives
• Smoke flavoring
• Spices and flavor enhancers

So while real pork bacon only contains pork, salt, and perhaps some spices, turkey bacon contains a host of additives to replicate the taste, texture, and appearance of real bacon.

Brands like Applegate use simpler turkey bacon ingredients

• Turkey
• Water
• Sea salt
• Celery powder
• Maple sugar
• Spices

So the quality of turkey bacon can vary widely depending on the brand.

Is Turkey Bacon Healthier Than Pork Bacon?

Many people switch to turkey bacon because they believe it’s a healthier alternative. But is this actually true?

While turkey bacon is lower in saturated fat and calories than pork bacon, it can be misleadingly high in sodium. In fact, turkey bacon often contains more sodium per serving than regular bacon. Manufacturers load it with extra salt, preservatives, and flavorings to make it taste like bacon.

Turkey bacon is lower in protein than pork bacon as well. And some processed turkey bacon varieties are high in added sugars through ingredients like maple syrup.

So turkey bacon isn’t necessarily healthier across the board – it really depends on the brand and ingredients. High quality turkey bacon with minimal additives is a better choice.

Is Turkey Bacon Paleo-Approved?

The paleo diet recommends avoiding highly processed foods, additives, and excess sodium. This rules out most standard turkey bacon options, which are highly processed convenience products.

But higher quality turkey bacon with simpler ingredients – like those from Applegate or Trader Joe’s – may be within paleo guidelines when used in moderation. Since all bacon is high in sodium, it should be enjoyed sparingly even on paleo.

Some paleo experts believe turkey bacon is acceptable if the ingredients are clean. Others argue it is too processed and high in sodium to be part of a paleo lifestyle. Generally it falls into a grey area depending on your stance.

Healthier Paleo Bacon Options

Rather than processed turkey bacon, there are healthier paleo bacon options:

• Pork bacon: Choose high quality varieties without artificial ingredients. Opt for uncured.

• Paleo bacon recipes: Make your own bacon at home from pork belly, turkey, or even beef. This allows control over ingredients.

• Other smoked meats: Try smoked salmon, pork chops, beef jerky for salty smoky flavor without as much processing.

The Verdict

While turkey bacon is lower in saturated fat and calories than regular pork bacon, the high sodium levels and use of flavor additives make it a processed food. Mass-market turkey bacon is not paleo due to the excessive processing and additives.

Some natural turkey bacon with minimal ingredients may be within paleo guidelines in moderation. But there are better options, like uncured pork bacon or homemade bacon recipes without chemicals. Bacon should be an occasional treat food even on paleo, not a daily habit.

So if you’re craving that salty, smoky, crispy bacon flavor, go for high quality pork bacon in small amounts. Or explore other naturally smoked meats. Homemade bacon is best. And stay away from highly processed turkey bacon imitations overloaded with fake flavors, sweeteners and preservatives. Stick to real food whenever possible for the healthiest paleo lifestyle.