Peameal Bacon Calories Calculator
Calculate peameal bacon calories per slice or serving. Canadian peameal bacon nutrition, protein content, and how it compares to regular bacon.
Peameal Bacon Calculator
To burn about 170 kcal you may need roughly:
📊 Data source note: Nutrition values are estimates based on standard food composition databases and common recipe data. Actual values vary by cooking method, oil quantity, ingredient brand, and serving size. See our Data Sources and Methodology pages.
Peameal Bacon Nutrition Tips
Peameal bacon is a distinctly Canadian cured pork product made from lean boneless pork loin that has been brined and then rolled in yellow cornmeal (historically rolled in ground dried peas, hence the name). It differs significantly from American streaky bacon: it is much leaner, made from the loin rather than the belly, and has a mild, slightly sweet flavour with a crisp golden exterior when cook...
How to use this calculator
Weigh or estimate your Peameal Bacon portion in grams and enter it above. For context, a 1 slice (28g) comes to about ~52 kcal, while a 3 slices (85g) is closer to ~157 kcal. Home-cooked versions with measured oil sit at the lower end of these ranges, while restaurant plates typically land at the top, so match the estimate to how the dish was prepared.
Best for fitness goals
Peameal bacon is an excellent choice for weight-conscious eating when comparing pork products — it has significantly fewer calories than streaky bacon (approximately 540 kcal/100g) and a much higher protein-to-fat ratio. Three slices of peameal bacon as part of a breakfast with eggs and vegetables c...
Peameal Bacon Calories — Complete Guide
Calories By Portion Size
| Portion / Serving | Estimated Calories | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 slice (28g) | ~52 kcal | Single slice |
| 3 slices (85g) | ~157 kcal | Standard serving |
| Peameal sandwich (200g) | ~420 kcal | St. Lawrence Market style |
| Grilled back bacon plate (150g) | ~278 kcal | Breakfast portion |
Calories By Preparation Method
| Preparation Method | Calories / 100g | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pan-fried peameal bacon | ~185 kcal/100g | Standard method |
| Grilled peameal bacon | ~175 kcal/100g | Less oil added |
| Baked peameal roast (large piece) | ~190 kcal/100g | Holiday preparation |
| Sandwich-cut thick slices | ~200 kcal/100g | Generous deli cut |
Nutrition Breakdown
| Nutrient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 185 kcal | Per 100g |
| Protein | 18 g | Excellent lean protein source |
| Carbohydrates | 3 g | From cornmeal coating |
| Fat | 10 g | Lean compared to streaky bacon |
| Fibre | 0 g | Minimal |
| Sodium | ~900 mg | Curing process adds sodium |
| Iron | ~1.1 mg | From pork loin |
What Is Peameal Bacon?
Peameal bacon is a distinctly Canadian cured pork product made from lean boneless pork loin that has been brined and then rolled in yellow cornmeal (historically rolled in ground dried peas, hence the name). It differs significantly from American streaky bacon: it is much leaner, made from the loin rather than the belly, and has a mild, slightly sweet flavour with a crisp golden exterior when cooked. Peameal bacon is primarily a Toronto and Ontario food — it is particularly associated with the St. Lawrence Market in downtown Toronto, where the Carousel Bakery has served the definitive peameal bacon sandwich since the 1980s. Peameal bacon sandwiches on a kaiser roll have become a Toronto food icon, drawing visitors from across the country and internationally. Outside Ontario, it is sometimes called "Canadian bacon" though Canadian bacon sold in the USA is often quite different.
Peameal Bacon Calories Guide
Peameal bacon is one of the leaner cured pork options available — a three-slice serving (85g) contains approximately 157 calories with 15g of protein. The yellow cornmeal coating adds minimal calories but creates the distinctive crispy exterior when pan-fried. The peameal sandwich at St. Lawrence Market adds approximately 250–270 calories from the kaiser roll for a total of around 400–430 calories.
Peameal Bacon for Weight Loss
Peameal bacon is an excellent choice for weight-conscious eating when comparing pork products — it has significantly fewer calories than streaky bacon (approximately 540 kcal/100g) and a much higher protein-to-fat ratio. Three slices of peameal bacon as part of a breakfast with eggs and vegetables creates a high-protein, filling meal for around 350–400 calories total. It is also lower in fat than sausages and most breakfast meats.
Peameal Bacon for Muscle Gain
Peameal bacon is a practical muscle-building food for those who enjoy pork. Its high protein-to-calorie ratio makes it efficient for building and maintaining muscle mass. Three slices provide approximately 15g of protein for just 157 calories. For muscle gain, pair peameal bacon with eggs, whole grain toast, and fruit for a complete breakfast that supports training.
Smart Comparison
Peameal Bacon vs Streaky Bacon: Streaky bacon (pan-fried) contains approximately 540 kcal/100g versus 185 kcal/100g for peameal bacon — nearly three times the calories. Peameal bacon is far leaner. Peameal Bacon vs Ham: Deli ham is similar in calorie density (around 140–160 kcal/100g) but typically has more sodium. Peameal bacon has a more distinctive flavour and texture.
Portion Control Advice
The peameal bacon sandwich at St. Lawrence Market is a full meal on its own — eat it without additional sides. When cooking at home, three to four slices with two eggs makes a filling breakfast under 400 calories. Avoid adding extra butter or oil when pan-frying — peameal bacon releases enough moisture that a non-stick pan requires little or no added fat.
Common Mistakes
Confusing peameal bacon with American-style Canadian bacon — they are different products. Overestimating the calorie count of peameal bacon because of its name association with regular bacon. Adding high-calorie toppings like cheese sauce, butter, or sour cream to a peameal sandwich, which can double the calorie count.
Burn This Food — Activity Equivalents
| Activity | Duration to Burn |
|---|---|
| Brisk walking | ~40 min for 3 slices |
| Jogging | ~19 min |
| Cycling | ~22 min |
| Swimming | ~21 min |
Healthy Alternative Tips
Turkey breast slices — ~115 kcal
Chicken breast fillet — ~165 kcal
Grilled peameal bacon instead of pan-fried (no added oil)
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FAQs
How many calories in peameal bacon?
A single slice of peameal bacon (28g) contains approximately 52 calories. Three slices (85g) — a typical serving — contains around 155–160 calories. The peameal bacon sandwich (with kaiser roll) is approximately 400–440 calories total.
Is peameal bacon healthier than regular bacon?
Yes — peameal bacon is significantly leaner than streaky (regular) bacon. It has roughly one-third the calories per 100g and a much higher protein-to-fat ratio, making it a better choice for health-conscious eaters who enjoy pork.
What is the yellow coating on peameal bacon?
The yellow coating is ground yellow cornmeal. Historically it was dried ground peas (which gives the product its name), but cornmeal replaced peas as the standard coating in the 20th century because it creates a better crust when cooked.
Is peameal bacon the same as Canadian bacon?
Not exactly — in Canada, peameal bacon refers specifically to the cornmeal-coated loin product. Outside Canada, especially in the USA, 'Canadian bacon' is often a different product: round, precooked loin slices that more closely resemble deli ham than true peameal bacon.
Where can I buy authentic peameal bacon?
Peameal bacon is widely available at grocery stores across Ontario and is sold at specialty butchers and delis across Canada. The most famous peameal bacon sandwich is at the Carousel Bakery in the St. Lawrence Market in Toronto.
📊 Data source note: Nutrition values are estimates based on Canadian food composition databases, Health Canada nutrient data, and standard recipe analysis. Actual values vary by cooking method, recipe, brand, and serving size. See our Data Sources and Methodology pages.