Bacon vs Ham (deli)

Side-by-side macro comparison. Bacon vs Ham (deli) per their standard serving sizes.

Bacon

per 2 strips cooked (16g)

86 cal
6g Protein
0g Carbs
7g Fat
Full Bacon macros →
vs

Ham (deli)

per 2 slices (56g)

60 cal
10g Protein
1.5g Carbs
1.5g Fat
Full Ham (deli) macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Bacon Ham (deli) Difference
Calories 86 cal 60 cal +43% Bacon
Protein 6g 10g -40% Bacon
Carbs 0g 1.5g -100% Bacon
Fat 7g 1.5g +367% Bacon

Differences shown relative to Bacon. Positive = Bacon has more.

Quick Take

Bacon delivers 86 calories per serving with 6g protein, 0g carbs, and 7g fat. Ham (deli) delivers 60 calories with 10g protein, 1.5g carbs, and 1.5g fat. The most meaningful difference: they're within 26 calories per serving, so calorie load is essentially equivalent. Both deliver similar protein density.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Ham (deli) gives you 26 more calories of headroom per serving — that's room for an extra snack, more vegetables, or a higher-protein second portion. If protein density matters more (which it does for preserving muscle on a deficit), Ham (deli) delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Bacon brings 86 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Ham (deli) delivers 10g of protein per serving, which directly feeds muscle protein synthesis. The best pick depends on whether you need more total calories or more usable protein.

For Keto / Low-Carb

Both Bacon and Ham (deli) are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Bacon or Ham (deli)?

Ham (deli) has more protein: 10g vs 6g per serving. That's a difference of 4g.

Which has fewer calories, Bacon or Ham (deli)?

Ham (deli) has 60 calories per serving vs 86 calories in Bacon — a difference of 26 calories.

Is Bacon or Ham (deli) better for keto?

Bacon is the better keto choice at 0g carbs per serving vs 1.5g carbs in Ham (deli).

Is Bacon or Ham (deli) better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Ham (deli) gives you more calorie flexibility (26 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Ham (deli) delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Ham (deli).

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Ham (deli)

Higher protein-to-calorie density + lower absolute fat = more satiety per calorie.

💪 Muscle Gain

Ham (deli)

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Bacon

Lower carbohydrate content fits keto and low-carb macros without burning your carb budget.

Both fit most balanced diets. These verdicts reflect macro-only comparisons — taste, satiety, cost, and personal preference also matter.

Find Your Personal Macros

The "right" food depends on your individual macro targets. Calculate yours in 60 seconds:

→ Calculate My Macros (Free)

Related Comparisons

Other ways Bacon and Ham (deli) stack up:

Full Bacon guideFull Ham (deli) guideAll comparisons