Yes, actual bacon.
Ellie Sunakawa / Via BuzzFeed
The good news is that you don't need to cut it out completely. "A good diet includes a variety of fats — including saturated fats like bacon," says registered dietitian Abby Langer, owner of Abby Langer Nutrition. And if your diet is mostly unprocessed, whole foods, adding bacon occasionally is totally fine. Plus, it's full of protein to keep you fuller for longer.
But, OK, it is still pretty high in saturated fat, so Langer suggests trying to limit yourself to about three slices, two times a week (always check in with your own doctor if you have specific health or diet constraints). And since a little goes a long way flavor-wise, that shouldn't be too hard to do. Here are some great ways to pair it with vegetables, complex carbs, and other unprocessed ingredients:
Zucchini Noodle Carbonara
This paleo, dairy-free version of spaghetti carbonara is light and delicious.
Get the full recipe here, via The Roasted Root.
Julia Mueller / Via theroastedroot.net
Loaded Bacon Sweet Potato Skins
::drooling::
Find the recipe here, via Back To Her Roots.
Cassie Johnston / Via backtoherroots.com