Are you on the Optavia diet and wondering if you can still enjoy the delicious taste of bacon?
Look no further than turkey bacon!
This low-fat alternative to traditional pork bacon is packed with protein, zinc, and iron, making it a great choice for those looking to maintain physical activity and muscle development.
Plus, it contains less cholesterol, sodium, and fat than pork bacon, making it a more suitable option for the Optavia diet.
But before you start adding turkey bacon to your meal plan, let’s take a closer look at its nutritional value and how it fits into the Optavia program.
Can I Eat Turkey Bacon On Optavia?
Yes, you can definitely eat turkey bacon on the Optavia diet! Made from ground turkey meat, turkey bacon is a healthier alternative to traditional pork bacon. It contains fewer calories and less fat than pork bacon, making it a great option for those looking to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
In fact, for every two slices of turkey bacon, you can get roughly 20g of protein, which is more than chicken but less than beef. This high dose of protein is critical for the production of red blood cells, the development of muscle, and the maintenance of physical activity.
Additionally, turkey bacon is a good source of zinc and iron, which are essential minerals for maintaining good health. These minerals are critical for the production of red blood cells, the development of muscle, and the maintenance of physical activity.
Compared to pork bacon, turkey bacon contains less cholesterol, sodium, and fat. This makes it a more suitable choice for the Optavia diet, which emphasizes low-fat and low-sodium foods.
What Is Optavia?
Optavia is a weight-loss program that combines pre-packaged meals, called Fuelings, with homemade meals known as “Lean and Green” meals. The program is designed to create a calorie deficit to induce weight loss while providing convenience and taking the guesswork out of healthy eating. Optavia offers several plans to choose from, all of which involve a mixture of packaged Optavia Fuelings and homemade entrees. The company claims that Fuelings are designed by physicians, dietitians, and scientists for weight loss and feature 24 vitamins and minerals, high-quality, complete protein, and probiotic cultures to support digestive health. The Optimal Weight 5 & 1 Plan is the most popular plan, consisting of six small meals per day, with five of those meals being Optavia Fuelings. For the sixth meal, participants learn how to prepare their own “Lean & Green” meal—consisting of lean protein, non-starchy vegetables, and healthy fats—designed to stabilize blood sugar. Optavia also offers guidance from its own staff of diet coaches to help participants learn their trademarked “Habits of Health” and create healthy habits through small, daily changes in all areas of life. The program recommends avoiding alcohol, sugary drinks, solid shortening, high-calorie desserts, and highly discourages sweets and higher calorie foods. While the program has received mixed reviews from experts, it can be a suitable option for those looking for a structured approach to weight loss that emphasizes low-fat and low-sodium foods.
Nutritional Value Of Turkey Bacon
When it comes to nutritional value, a 2-ounce serving of cooked turkey bacon contains 302 calories, 21g of fat, 24g of protein, and 3.5g of carbohydrates. While turkey bacon is lower in calories and fat than pork bacon, it still contains a significant amount of saturated fat, which can contribute to heart disease if consumed in excess.
One advantage of turkey bacon is its high protein content. Each 2-ounce serving provides roughly the same amount of protein as pork bacon, with 17g per serving. Protein is essential for building and repairing muscle tissue and can also help keep you feeling full and satisfied.
Turkey bacon also contains important minerals like zinc and iron, which are necessary for maintaining good health. Zinc plays a role in immune function and wound healing, while iron is necessary for the production of red blood cells and carrying oxygen throughout the body.
However, it’s important to note that turkey bacon can be high in sodium. A 2-ounce serving contains around 1,900mg of sodium, which is well above the recommended daily limit of 1,500mg for most adults. Excess sodium intake can increase the risk of high blood pressure and other health problems.
How Turkey Bacon Fits Into The Optavia Diet
Turkey bacon is a great addition to the Optavia diet as it is a lean protein source that is also low in fat and calories. It can be consumed as a substitute for pork bacon, which is often higher in calories, fat, and sodium.
Two slices of turkey bacon contain three lean proteins and one healthy fat, making it an excellent choice for those looking to maintain a balanced diet. Lean proteins are essential to staying healthy and fit, but they can be hard to come by when trying to cut down on the fat and cholesterol in your diet. Turkey bacon contains both lean proteins and healthy fats, making it an ideal choice for the Optavia diet.
It’s important to note that the Optavia diet is not a low-carbohydrate nor a no-carbohydrate diet but rather an optimal carbohydrate regimen that will help you lose weight and feel great. Turkey bacon can be a part of this optimal carbohydrate regimen as it provides essential nutrients such as protein, zinc, and iron while also being low in fat and calories.
Tips For Incorporating Turkey Bacon Into Your Meals
If you’re looking to incorporate turkey bacon into your meals on the Optavia diet, here are some tips to get you started:
1. Use it as a substitute: Turkey bacon can be used as a substitute for pork bacon in any recipe. Whether you’re making a breakfast sandwich, a BLT, or a quiche, turkey bacon can be used in place of pork bacon to reduce the fat and calorie content of your meal.
2. Add it to salads: Turkey bacon can be a great addition to salads, adding a smoky flavor and some extra protein. Simply cook the turkey bacon until crispy and crumble it over your favorite salad.
3. Use it in soups and stews: Turkey bacon can add flavor to soups and stews without adding too much fat or sodium. Simply chop the turkey bacon into small pieces and add it to your favorite soup or stew recipe.
4. Make turkey bacon bits: Turkey bacon bits can be used as a topping for salads, baked potatoes, or even as a snack. To make turkey bacon bits, simply chop the turkey bacon into small pieces and cook them until crispy.
5. Enjoy it as a snack: Turkey bacon can be a delicious and healthy snack on its own. Simply cook the turkey bacon until crispy and enjoy it as a protein-packed snack.
Other Alternatives To Pork Bacon On Optavia.
If you’re looking for other alternatives to pork bacon on the Optavia diet, there are a few options to consider. One popular alternative is turkey sausage, which is made from ground turkey meat and contains less fat and fewer calories than traditional pork sausage. It’s also a good source of protein, zinc, and iron.
Another option is veggie bacon, which is made from plant-based ingredients like soy and wheat protein. Veggie bacon is a great choice for vegetarians and vegans who want to enjoy the taste and texture of bacon without consuming animal products. It’s also lower in fat and calories than pork bacon.
Finally, you could try Canadian bacon, which is made from lean cuts of pork and contains less fat than traditional bacon. It’s also a good source of protein and can be a tasty addition to breakfast or lunch.