Bacon bits are a popular topping for salads, baked potatoes, soups, and other dishes. They add a smoky, salty, crispy texture and bacon flavor. But if you look closely at the ingredients list on a bottle of bacon bits, you’ll see that the primary ingredient is textured soy protein or textured vegetable protein. So are bacon bits really made from real bacon? Let’s take a closer look.
What are Bacon Bits?
Bacon bits are made from small, crumbled pieces of bacon that have been pre-cooked and dried. They are usually used as a topping or garnish to add extra bacon flavor to dishes. There are a few different types of bacon bits:
Real Bacon Bits
Real bacon bits are made from actual bacon that has been cooked, crumbled into small pieces, and dried. The drying process helps preserve the bacon so it has a longer shelf life. Real bacon bits contain real smoked bacon, but may also contain extra preservatives and anti-caking agents. Brands that make real bacon bits include Hormel and Oscar Mayer. Real bacon bits will be labeled as “bacon” in the ingredients.
Imitation Bacon Bits
Imitation bacon bits are made from textured vegetable protein (TVP) or textured soy protein. TVP and soy protein are plant-based protein products made from soy flour. The protein is hydrated and processed into granules or crumbles that resemble the texture of bacon when cooked. Imitation bacon bits are flavored with smoke flavoring, yeast extract, hydrolyzed soy protein, and coloring to resemble real bacon. Common brands of imitation bacon bits include Bac~Os by Betty Crocker and Salad Toppers by McCormick. Imitation bacon bits will list ingredients like “textured vegetable protein” and “natural flavors.”
Turkey Bacon Bits
Turkey bacon bits are made from cooked, crumbled turkey bacon. They provide the smoky, salty flavor of regular pork bacon but are lower in fat since they are made from leaner turkey meat. Turkey bacon bits are a good option for people looking to reduce their pork and saturated fat intake. Just check the label to confirm the bits are 100% turkey bacon, not imitation.
Nutritional Comparison
The nutritional value of real bacon bits versus imitation bacon bits is quite different:
| Nutrition Facts | Real Bacon Bits (Hormel) | Imitation Bacon Bits (Bac~Os) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 60 per 1 Tbsp | 35 per 1 Tbsp |
| Fat | 5g | 1.5g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 0g |
| Sodium | 310mg | 330mg |
| Protein | 3g | 4g |
As you can see, real bacon bits contain more calories and fat, especially saturated fat, compared to imitation bacon bits. But imitation bacon bits contain more sodium and protein. Turkey bacon bits would fall somewhere in the middle with less fat than regular bacon but more than imitation.
Cost Comparison
Imitation bacon bits are generally cheaper than real bacon bits. Here’s a cost comparison of a commonly available size and brand of each:
| Bacon Bits | Price |
|---|---|
| Hormel Real Bacon Bits 2.5 oz | $3.29 |
| Bac~Os Imitation Bacon Bits 2.75 oz | $1.79 |
Based on major grocery store prices, imitation bacon bits cost about 45% less per ounce than Hormel real bacon bits. Of course prices can vary depending on brand, size, and source. But generally speaking, imitation will be the cheaper option.
Taste Comparison
When it comes to taste, most people can discern a difference between real and imitation bacon bits. Here are some of the main taste differences:
Real Bacon Bits
– Smoky, salty, umami bacon flavor
– Greasy/oily mouthfeel
– Crunchy and crispy texture
– Tenderness of real pork bacon
– May have meaty aftertaste
Imitation Bacon Bits
– Smoky and salty but more artificial tasting
– Dry, crumbly texture
– Crunchy but less greasy
– Chewy soy/veggie protein texture
– Lacking richness and meaty flavor
While imitation bacon bits come close flavor-wise thanks to smoky seasoning, they lack the pork fat richness and juiciness of real bacon bits. Some people don’t mind the difference while bacon purists insist on only the real thing.
Environmental Impact
Raising pigs for pork production requires large amounts of land, feed, water, and energy. The pork industry is linked to deforestation, air and water pollution, and high greenhouse gas emissions. Studies show pork has a significantly higher carbon footprint compared to plant proteins like soy.
Imitation bacon bits made from soy or other plant proteins have a much lower environmental impact than real pork bacon. They are more sustainable since they don’t require nearly as many resources to produce.
So if you’re concerned about sustainability and minimizing your carbon footprint, imitation bacon bits are the better eco-friendly choice over real pork bacon bits.
Religious Dietary Restrictions
Certain religious faiths prohibit the consumption of pork products. Real bacon bits would not be permitted foods for:
– Jews following a Kosher diet
– Muslims following Halal guidelines
– Seventh-day Adventists who abstain from pork
– Some sects of Hinduism that avoid meat consumption
For those adhering to religious dietary laws that forbid pork, imitation bacon bits provide a convenient substitute that mimics the smoky flavor without containing real bacon.
Vegetarian/Vegan Diets
Vegans and vegetarians do not consume meat, poultry, or seafood. Real bacon bits would not be suitable for either vegetarian or vegan diets since they contain real pork.
Imitation bacon bits, on the other hand, are often suitable for both vegetarians and vegans when made without any animal-derived ingredients. Most brands of imitation bacon bits rely on plant proteins like soy, vegetable oils, and natural flavorings to recreate bacon’s taste and texture without using actual meat.
Just check the label to confirm the imitation bacon bits are “vegetarian” and “vegan” before purchasing.
Potential Allergens
Real bacon bits contain pork, a top 8 allergen, so they could trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Imitation bacon bits avoid common food allergens like soy, dairy, shellfish, and nuts.
However, imitation bacon bits made from soy protein could cause issues for those with a soy allergy. And while less common, some people can have an allergic reaction to yeast extract or other ingredients used for flavoring.
In terms of food allergies, those with an pork/meat allergy will likely tolerate imitation bacon better. But anyone with special food allergies should check the ingredients to be safe.
Sodium Content
Both real and imitation bacon bits are high in sodium. The drying and curing process used to create bacon bits concentrates the sodium level. Just 1 tablespoon of bacon bits can contain around 25-35% of your recommended daily sodium intake.
Those restricting sodium for health reasons like high blood pressure may want to limit or avoid real bacon bits altogether. Although imitation bacon bits are still fairly high in sodium, they contain about 10% less sodium per serving compared to real bacon bits. So between the two, imitation is slightly better for a low sodium diet.
Keto and Low Carb Diets
The high fat, low carb ketogenic diet relies heavily on fat and limits carbs to achieve a state of ketosis. Real bacon bits would fit perfectly within a keto eating plan. The fat content provides energy and helps satisfy hunger.
Meanwhile, imitation bacon bits don’t offer the same benefits for keto due to their low amounts of fat and higher carbohydrates. Imitation bacon bits are made with plant-based proteins and fibers which add more carbs. Those following a strict ketogenic diet would likely want to stick with real bacon bits.
Paleo Diet
The paleo diet eliminates grains, legumes, soy, sugar and processed foods. Real bacon bits would generally be considered paleo-friendly since they don’t contain any grains or legumes and are minimally processed.
Imitation bacon bits, on the other hand, would not be paleo-approved due to their main ingredients – soy protein and corn flour. Both soy and corn were not part of early human diets, so they are excluded from paleo eating. Real bacon bits would be the better match for the paleo lifestyle.
Whole Food, Plant-Based Diets
Diets like Dr. Greger’s Daily Dozen focus on getting nutrients from whole, plant-based foods. Processed meats like bacon are discouraged on a whole foods, plant-based approach.
Imitation bacon bits made from soy protein or TVP contain more whole food plant proteins. But the isolated soy products and flavorings are still considered processed. So neither real or imitation bacon bits would be included in a strict whole food, plant-based regimen.
Weight Loss Diets
For those trying to lose weight, real bacon bits would not be the best choice due to their high calorie and fat content. Just 2 tablespoons of real bacon bits adds over 120 calories and 10 grams of fat.
Imitation bacon bits are significantly lower in both calories and fat by volume in comparison to real bacon bits. This makes imitation bacon a better option for restricting calories and fat when trying to slim down.
Cancer Risk
The World Health Organization has classified processed meats like bacon as “carcinogenic to humans”. Numerous studies link regular processed meat consumption to increased colorectal cancer risk.
Substituting imitation bacon bits eliminates this concern since no carcinogenic processed meats are involved. Those looking to reduce cancer risk are better off using imitation bacon bits over real.
Microplastics Risk
A recent study found real bacon bits contained the highest microplastic levels out of all the food samples tested. The study speculated that the plastic bits may come from machines used for grinding and packaging.
More research is still needed, but this preliminary evidence suggests real bacon bits may expose consumers to significantly more microplastics compared to imitation bacon bits.
Kidney Health
Bacon contains large amounts of phosphorus, which is usually fine for healthy kidneys. But for those with chronic kidney disease, excess phosphorus can be dangerous and speed kidney deterioration.
Imitation bacon bits skip the high phosphorus content of real bacon. This makes them a safer choice for anyone needing to limit dietary phosphorus for kidney health.
Heart Disease Risk
The saturated fat and sodium found in bacon has been linked to high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends limiting processed red meats for heart health.
Replacing real bacon bits with imitation can reduce heart disease risk factors like saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. The plant-based proteins used in imitation bacon provide a more heart-friendly option.
Gut Health
Several studies show diets high in processed meat are associated with less diverse gut bacteria and higher risks of inflammatory bowel diseases.
On the other hand, fiber-rich vegetarian diets improve good gut bacteria. Since imitation bacon bits rely on plant proteins and fibers instead of pork, they offer advantages for better gut health.
Food Safety
Raw pork can harbor dangerous pathogens like salmonella, E. coli, listeria, and parasites. Since real bacon goes through a full cooking process, pre-made bacon bits avoid this risk.
However, pre-cooked real bacon bits have still been linked to food poisoning outbreaks due to cross-contamination during manufacturing. Imitation bacon skips the raw meat risk completely, giving it a food safety edge.
Storage and Shelf Life
Thanks to all the salt and preservatives, commercially packaged real bacon bits can last 1-2 years in the pantry before expiring.
Imitation bacon bits also typically have a shelf life of about 2 years. So when it comes to storage and shelf life, neither real or imitation has a clear advantage.
Gluten-Free
Most major brands of real bacon bits contain no gluten ingredients, making them safe for gluten-free diets as long as cross-contamination is avoided.
However, some imitation bacon bits contain additional binders and fillers like wheat flour or barley malt. So gluten-free consumers need to read labels carefully and confirm imitation bacon bits are certified gluten-free.
Conclusion
So are real bacon bits really actually made of real bacon? The answer is it depends on the brand. Hormel and other major brands do use real cured and crumbled pork bacon. But imitation bacon bits made from soy or veggie proteins are far more common.
While imitation bacon bits stay fairly close in taste, they differ significantly from real bacon bits in terms of nutritional profile. Imitation has the upper hand when it comes to fewer calories, less fat, more protein, and fewer potential health risks. Real bacon bits win for keto and paleo diets due to their higher fat content.
Environmentally speaking, imitation bacon bits are more sustainable than real pork-based ones. But neither qualifies as a whole food nor is the healthiest option. Moderation is key if you want to indulge in bacon bits of any kind. And as always, check the nutrition label and ingredient list to know exactly what you’re consuming.