5 OF THE BEST HEALTHY BACON

Bacon is a national favourite, but just 50g daily — two rashers of back bacon, or four of streaky — increases the risk of bowel cancer. another study found post-menopausal women who ate just 9g a day had a 20 per cent greater risk of breast cancer. But there are now ‘ healthier’ forms of bacon, including some made without nitrites, the chemicals linked to increased cancer risk. Registered dietitian Helen Bond selects five of the best.

Naked Bacon unsmoked rashers

200g, 20 £2.25, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s. Sa Two rashers: ra calories, 93; saturated sa fat, 2g; salt, 1.08g; 1.0 protein, 10.6g MADE MA with 87 per cent pork, po these rashers are leaner le and lower in salt and calories than most. Instead of using nitrites, the meat is fla flavoured and preserved with fruit and spice ex extracts. However, there’s a tenth of your da daily limit of saturated fat in two rashers, so do don’t have more than this.

Tesco British turkey rashers

200g, 20 £2.40. Two rashers: ra calories, 69; saturated sa fat, 0.3g; salt, sa 1g; protein, 15g TURKEY TU is far lower in saturated sa fat and calories (two rashers of back ba bacon would provide 2-2.5g saturated fat), fat so is better for your waistline and heart. It’s It’ also lower in salt, so is a better option if you’re yo watching your blood pressure. Two rashers give you more than a quarter of your RDA of satiating protein.

Quorn deli bacon

120g, £1.65, most supermarkets. Two rashers: calories, 38; saturated fat, 0.2g; salt, 0.4g; protein, 4.2g THESE rashers are the smallest at only 20g each, but even if you had a double portion you’re still getting fewer calories than the leanest bacon. Quorn, made from edible fungi, isn’t quite as rich in protein as meat, but it is still a good source and also supplies fibre (6 per cent of the daily recommendation in two rashers). This is also the lowest in saturated fat and salt, and is nitrite free.

Freshcure bacon medallions

250g, £1.79, Lidl. Two rashers: calories, 66; saturated fat, 0.5g; salt, 0.92g; protein, 9.7g MEDALLIONS are the ‘eye’ of back rashers, with the fatty tail removed. These have the lowest amount of saturated fat and salt of the meaty options we looked at, with 8 per cent of your daily limit in two medallions. These are good for weight watchers, but they still contain nitrites.

VBites Cheatin’ meat-free streaky rashers

115g, £2.27 from Morrisons. Two rashers: calories, 75; saturated fat, 1.7g; salt, 0.69g; protein, 9.9g THIS 100 per cent plant-based ‘bacon’ is made with wheat gluten and soya protein, so it is as high in appetite-curbing protein as the meat-based product (and has no nitrites). It has lower salt than meat rashers, but is not much lower in saturated fat as it contains palm oil.