Skip Regular Bacon At Breakfast: This Variety Packs Way More Protein

Whether you cook it in the oven or the air fryer (hint: one is definitely easier), or even sizzle it up in a pan, bacon is an essential part of any well-rounded breakfast. We definitely love good ol' regular bacon — we previously covered all the best tips for cooking it – but we challenge you to consider Canadian bacon as a worthy substitute you may be overlooking. Look, we know what you're going to say: despite it having "bacon" in its name, Canadian bacon is not the same thing! And you're right ... Canadian bacon is cut from the lean back of the pig, while your "normal" bacon is a product of the fattier belly. It doesn't taste or cook the same, yet Canadian bacon can absolutely satisfy your need for a meaty bite at breakfast. Need more convincing? Canadian bacon is a protein heavyweight compared to the normal kind.

Per the USDA, 100 grams of Canadian bacon is packed with 20.3 grams of protein and 110 calories. Compare that to the USDA calculation for 100 grams of cured pork bacon, which registers 393 calories and only 13.7 grams of protein. Regular bacon also contains a lot more saturated fat than Canadian bacon, which can be a concern for some consumers. There are, in our estimation, no such thing as "good" foods or "bad" foods, but we can sensibly say that, with an objectively better nutritional profile, Canadian bacon is a more sensible choice for adding regularly to your daily diet, while regular bacon may be more of a "sometimes" treat. Canadian bacon will not only help you build healthy muscle mass and feel full for longer, but it's also seriously delicious.

Anybody who's ever tucked into an iconic McDonald's Egg McMuffin and knows its origins can attest to the fact that Canadian bacon's firm texture and slightly sweet savor are perfect in a handheld first thing in the morning. The Egg McMuffin was intended to be a spin on eggs Benedict, another quintessential breakfast dish in which Canadian bacon plays a starring role. At breakfast time, Canadian bacon has a lot to recommend it ... it's not dripping with grease the way that regular bacon often is, which makes it a lot more portable when you need a filling first meal on the go. Furthermore, it's heftier and more substantial than regular bacon, which goes back to the higher protein content. A good breakfast should power you through the long morning ahead and keep you fueled until lunch. Regular bacon, while scrumptious, simply doesn't have what it takes.

To enjoy Canadian bacon on your plate in the morning, you can certainly sub it 1:1 for regular bacon. Fried up, it's more of a knife-and-fork affair than crispy bacon, but you'll find the texture quite satisfying, if not as crunchy. You can also dice it up in a quick hash or scramble. You've experienced Canadian bacon on a Hawaiian pizza; how about making it the centerpiece of a breakfast pizza on a bagel half ... pineapple not required (but definitely allowed). Versatile, tasty, and nutritious, we think Canadian bacon deserves a spot on your breakfast menu.