Prosciutto vs Bacon: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Bacon is higher in protein at 35.7 g compared to prosciutto's 27.8 g. Prosciutto has fewer calories at 195, while bacon contains 548 calories.

Prosciutto and bacon are both cured meats, but they differ significantly in their nutritional content. This comparison will highlight key aspects such as calories, protein, and fat.

What Is the Difference Between Prosciutto and Bacon?

Prosciutto is an Italian dry-cured ham that is typically sliced thin and served uncooked. It is known for its rich flavor and delicate texture. Bacon is a type of salt-cured pork, usually made from the belly or back of the pig. It is often cooked until crispy and is a popular breakfast item.

Prosciutto vs Bacon: Nutrition Side by Side

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

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Prosciutto	Bacon (cooked)
Calories	195 kcal	548 kcal
Protein	27.8 g	35.7 g
Carbs	0.3 g	1.4 g
Sugar	0 g	0 g
Fat	8.3 g	43.3 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	2695 mg	2193 mg

Which Is Better, Prosciutto or Bacon?

For weight loss: Prosciutto has 195 calories, significantly lower than bacon's 548 calories, making it a better choice for weight loss.

For muscle and protein: Bacon contains 35.7 g of protein, which is higher than prosciutto's 27.8 g, making bacon a better option for muscle building.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Both prosciutto and bacon are low in carbohydrates, with prosciutto at 0.3 g and bacon at 1.4 g, and both contain no sugar.

How to Track Prosciutto and Bacon Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros when enjoying cured meats, leading to unexpected calorie intake. 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 only and are not intended as medical advice. Always consider individual dietary needs when evaluating food choices. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Bacon has 35.7 g of protein, while prosciutto has 27.8 g.

Which has fewer calories?

Prosciutto has fewer calories at 195, compared to bacon's 548 calories.

What is the fat content of prosciutto?

Prosciutto contains 8.3 g of fat per 100 g.

How much sodium is in bacon?

Bacon contains 2193 mg of sodium per 100 g.

What are the carbohydrate levels in prosciutto?

Prosciutto has 0.3 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

What is the sugar content in bacon?

Bacon contains 0 g of sugar per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Prosciutto has 195 calories per 100 g.
• Bacon has 548 calories per 100 g.
• Prosciutto contains 27.8 g of protein.
• Bacon contains 35.7 g of protein.
• Prosciutto has 0.3 g of carbohydrates.
• Bacon has 1.4 g of carbohydrates.