by Janet Trieschman

Created on: January 05, 2009

Bacon is meat from a pig that has been cured, smoked or both. Meat from other animals can also be prepared in the same manner to resemble bacon. These are generally beef, lamb, chicken, goat and turkey. With turkey being the most popular. American bacon is traditionally from the pork belly. European bacon is typically in cubes and used for flavoring foods. Canadian bacon is a leaner cut of pork, like that from the back.

How can a "like bacon" product be better than the original? Turkey bacon is a supposedly healthier form of bacon and very popular in the United States. It is made to taste and look like the original pork bacon. How can turkey bacon taste better? And, is turkey bacon really healthier than pork bacon?

According to the book "Eat this Not That" fame, and Men's Health magazine, they both suggest eating real bacon over turkey bacon. Are you shocked? They both have the same amount of calories per two slices of bacon weighing in at 70 calories. The fat content at six grams is the same. And the Saturated Fat at two grams is also the same. So where do they differ? - In the Sodium content. Regular bacon has 290 mg of sodium while turkey bacon has 380 mg of sodium. The turkey bacon is infused with more sodium than regular bacon making it the poorer choice when it comes to a bacon product. Turkey bacon has added flavors and seasoning in an attempt to gain flavor which adds to the sodium content. You are better off eating the real thing pork bacon in moderation. In fact, due to the no trans fat, bacon is healthier to eat than a hot dog, a hamburger or a glazed donut.

If you follow the television show Top Chef, you will often hear them mention bacon. Bacon seems to be a reoccurring theme. How they like bacon. How it adds flavor to a dish. And jokingly, how everything is better with bacon. A contestant has even been seen wearing a t-shirt that says, "Bacon is a vegetable". And judges have suggested, you can't go wrong when adding bacon to a recipe.

Historically, bacon has been consumed since 1500 B.C., the Chinese preserved and salted pork bellies. The saying "bringing home the bacon" refers to money being gained for the family and associated with wealth. You've probably also heard the saying "chewing the fat" which also originated with bacon where bacon was a sign of wealth and often bacon was shared with visitors who would sit around and chew the fat together!

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