PORTION PATROL: BACON
Bacon's seduced the world with fine, empty charms

July 3, 2007

Today's favorite food: For many people, nothing smells more like a Saturday
morning than a frying pan sizzling with smoky bacon. But while it may be
delicious, unfortunately, it's certainly not nutritious.

"There is nothing good about bacon," says Lisa Young, Ph.D., R.D., author of
"The Portion Teller Plan." "It is high in saturated fat and calories."

But you don't have to totally "86" all things sizzling. Turkey bacon is a
healthier alternative that will give you full flavor with half the fat and
calories.

Still, Young adds, "you should have it sparingly - think one to two ounces."

Although regular pork bacon falls into the meat and beans category of the
U.S. government's food pyramid, its high saturated fat content means it can
raise cholesterol levels and should therefore account for very few of the
recommended 5-to 61/2-ounce equivalents of meats a day.

- CHRISTINA ORLOVSKY

One serving bacon = 1 oz. = one slice raw

Calories: 154
Carbohydrates: 0.4 g
Fat: 11.9 g
Protein: 10.5 g

Turkey bacon (1 oz.)

Calories: 71
Carbohydrates: 0 g
Fat: 5.1 g
Protein: 4.1 g

Source: CalorieKing.com