Pork Belly vs Bacon: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Bacon is higher in protein with 35.7 g compared to pork belly's 9.3 g, while pork belly has fewer calories at 518 compared to bacon's 548.

Pork belly and bacon are popular pork products, each with unique culinary uses and nutritional profiles. Understanding their differences can help inform dietary choices.

What Is the Difference Between Pork Belly and Bacon?

Pork belly is a fatty cut of meat from the belly of the pig, often used to make bacon or cooked as a standalone dish. It is known for its rich flavor and high fat content. Bacon is a cured meat product made from the belly or back of a pig, typically sliced thin and cooked until crispy. It is commonly used in breakfast dishes and sandwiches.

Pork Belly vs Bacon: Nutrition Side by Side

The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional values of pork belly and bacon.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Pork belly	Bacon (cooked)
Calories	518 kcal	548 kcal
Protein	9.3 g	35.7 g
Carbs	0 g	1.4 g
Sugar	0 g	0 g
Fat	53.0 g	43.3 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	32 mg	2193 mg

Which Is Better, Pork Belly or Bacon?

For weight loss: Pork belly contains 518 calories per 100 g, while bacon has 548 calories, making pork belly the lower-calorie option.

For muscle and protein: Bacon offers significantly more protein at 35.7 g per 100 g compared to pork belly's 9.3 g, making it a better choice for protein intake.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Both pork belly and bacon contain minimal carbohydrates and sugars, with pork belly at 0 g carbs and bacon at 1.4 g carbs, indicating they are both low-carb options.

How to Track Pork belly and Bacon Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macronutrient content when consuming high-fat foods like pork belly and bacon. 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 presented are rounded reference values for educational use and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Bacon has more protein with 35.7 g, while pork belly has 9.3 g.

Which has fewer calories?

Pork belly has fewer calories at 518 compared to bacon's 548.

What is the fat content in pork belly?

Pork belly contains 53.0 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sodium level in bacon?

Bacon has a sodium level of 2193 mg per 100 g.

How much sugar is in pork belly?

Pork belly contains 0 g of sugar per 100 g.

What is the carbohydrate content in bacon?

Bacon has 1.4 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Pork belly: 518 calories per 100 g.
• Bacon: 548 calories per 100 g.
• Pork belly: 9.3 g protein per 100 g.
• Bacon: 35.7 g protein per 100 g.
• Pork belly: 53.0 g fat per 100 g.
• Bacon: 43.3 g fat per 100 g.