Bacon Nutrition Facts
See the full nutrition of cooked pork bacon, per 100 grams or per slice, with verified USDA values for calories, fat, protein, and sodium.
Cooked pork bacon
Bacon Nutrition at a glance
Bacon is one of those foods where the per 100 gram number looks alarming until you remember how little a real serving weighs. The values here are USDA FoodData Central figures for cooked pork bacon, which has had most of its water rendered off during cooking.
Bacon provides high-satiety dietary fat and protein, making it popular on low-carb diets. You can evaluate your total macronutrient targets with our keto macro calculator or protein calculator. To understand how cooking alters the energy density of fatty meats, read our evidence-based guide on how draining fat reduces meat calories and lookup complementary items in our food calorie calculator.
Per 100 grams cooked, bacon carries about 541 calories, 42 grams of fat, 37 grams of protein, and a small 1.4 grams of carbohydrate from the curing process. The headline issue for most people is not the calories but the sodium, which sits around 1,717 milligrams per 100 grams. A single cooked slice weighs only about 8 grams, so the per slice numbers below are far more useful for everyday tracking.
Raw, cooked, and serving size
Because a cooked slice is so light, the calories add up slower than the per 100 gram figure suggests, but the sodium is still significant. Three slices deliver over 400 milligrams of sodium, which is worth keeping in mind if you are watching blood pressure or balancing the rest of your day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in one slice of bacon?
About 43 calories per cooked slice, based on a typical 8 gram slice. Three slices come to roughly 130 calories. Thicker cut bacon weighs more per slice, so adjust the serving size above to match your brand.
Is bacon high in protein?
It does carry protein, about 37 grams per 100 grams, but because a serving is only a few light slices you usually get 3 to 9 grams per portion. It is better thought of as a flavor food than a primary protein source.
Why is bacon so high in sodium?
Bacon is cured with salt, which is what gives it flavor and shelf life. That curing pushes sodium to around 1,717 milligrams per 100 grams, so even a small serving contributes a meaningful share of the daily limit.
Is bacon keto friendly?
Yes. Bacon is very low in carbohydrate at about 1.4 grams per 100 grams and high in fat, which fits a ketogenic macro split. The main things to watch on keto are the sodium and pairing it with enough whole foods.
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