Pancetta vs Bacon: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Bacon contains 35.7 g of protein, while pancetta has 15 g. Pancetta has 450 calories, compared to bacon's 548 calories.

Pancetta and bacon are both types of cured pork, but they differ significantly in their nutritional content. This comparison highlights their calories, protein, and fat levels.

What Is the Difference Between Pancetta and Bacon?

Pancetta is an Italian cured meat made from pork belly, seasoned with spices and salt. It is typically rolled and aged, offering a rich flavor. Bacon is a popular cured meat made from various cuts of pork, often from the belly or back. It is typically smoked or cured with salt.

Pancetta vs Bacon: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional values of pancetta and bacon.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Pancetta	Bacon (cooked)
Calories	450 kcal	548 kcal
Protein	15 g	35.7 g
Carbs	0 g	1.4 g
Sugar	0 g	0 g
Fat	43 g	43.3 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	2000 mg	2193 mg

Which Is Better, Pancetta or Bacon?

For weight loss: Pancetta has 450 calories, which is 98 fewer than bacon's 548 calories, making it a slightly better option for weight loss.

For muscle and protein: Bacon has significantly more protein at 35.7 g compared to pancetta's 15 g, making it a better choice for muscle building.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Both pancetta and bacon have low carbohydrate content, with pancetta at 0 g and bacon at 1.4 g, and neither contains sugar.

How to Track Pancetta and Bacon Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros in cured meats, which can affect dietary choices. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g: Pancetta from Open Food Facts (aggregated plain entries), Bacon from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Bacon has 35.7 g of protein, while pancetta has 15 g.

Which has fewer calories?

Pancetta has 450 calories, whereas bacon has 548 calories.

What is the fat content in pancetta?

Pancetta contains 43 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sodium level in bacon?

Bacon has 2193 mg of sodium per 100 g.

How much sugar is in pancetta?

Pancetta contains 0 g of sugar per 100 g.

What are the carbohydrate levels in bacon?

Bacon has 1.4 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Pancetta has 450 calories per 100 g.
• Bacon has 548 calories per 100 g.
• Pancetta contains 15 g of protein.
• Bacon contains 35.7 g of protein.
• Both have 0 g of sugar.
• Bacon has 1.4 g of carbohydrates.