Photo by Tehusagent | Flickr

Pork bacon has been a breakfast staple dating as far back as 1500 BC.  In fact, more than 2 billion pounds of pork bacon are produced each year.  Recently, however, many individuals have turned to turkey bacon as a “healthier“ alternative to pork. 

But is it really any healthier?

Processed meats, such as sausages, hot dogs, pre-packaged luncheon meats, meat in canned soup, and jerky, contain a preservative called sodium nitrite to prevent bacterial growth and to preserve the color. When sodium nitrite is digested, it reacts with chemicals within our body to form a nasty substance that is known to promote the growth and acceleration of cancer cells. Well, guess what? Although turkey bacon is definitely a lower fat and lower calorie alternative to traditional pork bacon, it is not excluded from the list of processed meat items containing this harmful ingredient.

And what about the sodium content?

Ingesting too much sodium can lead to a number of healthrelated problems, including high blood pressure and heart disease. Excessive amounts of sodium in the blood can also result in painful kidney stones. Many fast foods, frozen foods, canned foods, and of course - processed meats, are loaded with sodium. Turkey bacon alone can have as much as 180 mg per slice. The American Heart Association recommends a maximum of 2300 mg of sodium per day, but those with a sensitivity to sodium or who are at a higher risk of developing hypertension, should consume no more than 1500 mg per day. So with a McDonald’s Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad being 960 mg and the Low-Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing weighing in at 730 mg, it’s easy to see how keeping your sodium intake low can be quite challenging. Add 2 - 4 slices of turkey bacon (yes, some of us really do eat that many) to the mix every morning and you will be fast approaching your daily limit. We haven’t even touched on dinner or snacks.

Just Be Pro-Active

Well, if you must have your beloved turkey bacon, just remember that antioxidants are your friend. Research has shown that consuming large amounts of antioxidant-rich foods, such as citrus fruits, vegetables, and healthy nuts, before eating processed meats, inhibits the formation of harmful cancer causing chemicals. Regularly flushing yourself with water is also important because it helps the body to rid itself of hazardous toxins and may also help with reducing sodium levels in the blood. Additionally, you can search for nitrate-free, low-sodium brands of turkey bacon. Check your local Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods Market, or other health food store and look for brands like Wellshire Farms, Applegate Farms, and Hormel Natural.