21 Healthyish Recipes For People Who Can't Live Without Bacon

    Yes, actual bacon.

    Bacon is delicious, but it gets a pretty bad rap.

    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:

    1. Zucchini Noodle Carbonara

    2. Loaded Bacon Sweet Potato Skins

    3. Grilled Peach, Jalapeño, and Bacon Guacamole

    4. Garlicky Kale Bacon Pizza

    5. Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Macrona Almonds

    6. Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Bacon

    7. Pesto Mug Muffin with Bacon and Avocado.

    8. Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus with Honey Miso Glaze

    9. Bacon, Spinach and Egg Breakfast Muffins

    10. Bacon and Chive Pancakes

    It's crispy, flavorful, and perfect for summer.

    Find the recipe here via Big Girls Small Kitchen.

    12. Bacon Mushroom Spinach Frittata

    13. Lighter B.L.T with Avocado

    It wouldn't be a bacon recipe roundup without a B.L.T, right? And this one is only 290 calories.

    Find the recipe here on Skinny Taste.

    14. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese with Caramelized Onions, Bacon, and Apple

    15. Asparagus, Bacon and Egg Open-Face Sandwich

    16. Sautéed Herbed Peas with Bacon

    17. Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breast Bites

    18. Lighter Bacon Egg Salad

    19. Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

    20. Paleo Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

    21. Bacon-Topped Cauliflower Chicken Chowder