When you go vegan, everyone asks, “but what about bacon?” or “but what about cheese?” Today, we will put MyBacon to the test to see if it is the best vegan bacon out there in this MyBacon review.
About MyBacon
MyBacon was created by MyForrest Foods and became more well-known after Expo West 2024, when they debuted their plant-based bacon– and also where I first tried it.
This plant-based bacon is catching eco-friendly consumers eyes not only because of its unique innovation and taste but also because of its sustainability. MyBacon is reported to use 98% less land, 99% less water, and 33% less CO2 equivalents than bacon made from pork.
This is a potentially huge win for the health of the planet.
What is MyBacon Made of?
MyBacon is made from oyster mushrooms mycelium. Mycelium is the structural component of mushroom, which is like a network of tiny, thread-like structures (called hyphae). In nature, these are grown underground or on trees, but MyForest has a vertical indoor “farm” that mimics a forest's environment to promote mycelium's growth.
It’s made of five ingredients that are mostly organic.
Organic oyster mushroom mycelium, organic coconut oil, organic sugar, natural flavor, salt.
Interestingly, mycelium doesn’t taste like mushrooms at all.
Nutrient in MyBacon
It’s important to note that while this product is vegan, that doesn’t mean it is healthy. Vegan does not equal healthy, but most times it is healthier than its non-vegan alternative. Still, bacon is not a health product. If you’ve ever seen bacon cooking or the aftermath of bacon cooking, that’s what to expect on a slightly less messy scale.
❓will indicate that they are both just about the same
❌will indicate MyBacon does not perform any better than pork bacon in the category
✅will indicate MyBacon does perform better than pork bacon in the category
The comparison is of a 2 slice serving of pork bacon to a 2 slice serving of MyBacon. The pork bacon data is from the USDA, and the MyBacon data is from the package label.
Saturated fat ❓
Saturated fat is one of the main reasons why bacon isn’t healthy for you. This type of fat can increase your risk cardiovascular health risks. They both have similar amounts of saturated fat per serving.
2 grams of saturated fat in MyBacon
2.5 grams of saturated fat in pork bacon
The saturated fat from pork bacon is because bacon is a fatty cut of meat, and the saturated fat from MyBacon is from coconut oil. Fat gives us a desirable taste because our tastebuds love high-fat foods.
Because of the amount of saturated fat, this plant-based version would fall into the “eat less often” category. Something that can be enjoyed, but it is not an everyday occurrence.
The main difference is that MyBacon isn’t processed meat. Continued research finds that processed meats, like bacon, increase cancer risk (1,2). This plant-based bacon is not red or processed meat, which makes it a better choice.
While plant-based bacon doesn’t run the same health risks as processed meats, high amounts of saturated fat can still lead to higher cholesterol levels.
Sodium ❌
Processed meats are notoriously high in sodium. Consuming too much sodium can put you at higher risk for developing heart issues like high blood pressure. The vegan bacon is going to have more sodium than the pork bacon.
420 milligrams MyBacon
260 milligrams in pork bacon
The sodium in both these products comes from either brine or seasoning to add flavor and act as a natural preservative to keep the product fresh longer. Not all pork bacon has the same amount of sodium, but the one from the USDA is lower than others you could buy in the store.
Protein ❌
I would love to see an iteration of this same product with higher protein, but for a mushroom fiber, this isn’t bad because mushrooms usually have a negligible amount of protein.
3 grams in MyBacon
6 grams in pork bacon
Just because this product doesn't match the amount of protein doesn't mean all plant-based products are like this. There are plenty of high protein plant-based foods.
Fiber ✅
Animal products don’t have fiber, so another easy winner here. Fiber helps with regular digestion, and heart health and is hugely beneficial in satiety and keeping you feeling full for longer.
2 grams in MyBacon
0 grams in pork bacon
Most Americans are low on fiber intake and average 15 grams per day, lower than the recommended 28 grams a day for women and 38 for men.
Adding an innovative product like mushroom root bacon is a fun and unique way to get a few extra grams of fiber.
Cholesterol ✅
Plants don’t have cholesterol, so vegan is an easy winner here! Consuming too much cholesterol can have negative effects on your overall heart health.
0 milligrams in MyBacon
20 milligrams in pork bacon
While more recent research shows that saturated fats are a larger contributor to overall cholesterol levels, keeping daily cholesterol intake lower is still recommended.
Calories ✅
If weight loss is one of your goals, choosing foods that are nutrient-dense but have fewer calories might be something you’re looking for. When compared to pork bacon, MyBacon will have fewer total calories.
60 calories in MyBacon
80 calories in pork bacon
Most of the calories from both types of bacon primarily come from fat and a little bit of protein. Want additional support reaching your calorie goals? Try this 1,500 calorie meal plan.
MyBacon Taste Review
My meat-eating husband gives this vegan bacon a gold star for taste. However, the preparation method is important. The package has the cooking directions and a how-to guide on how to tell if it’s done based on how floppy it is, which I highly recommend following to a T.
The meat-eating husband shares that if it’s not cooked thoroughly, it does not give the same bacon-like flavor, and he doesn’t like it as much.
What does MyBacon taste like
When cooked fully, it tastes very similar to bacon. It does feel like you are cooking it to a crisp, but it doesn’t taste burnt. Oddly enough, if it’s not cooked fully, we both thought it tasted like popcorn.
Texture
The overall texture is very crispy, like bacon! When you bite into it, it crunches. The meat-eating husband also says, “now that sounds like bacon.” If not cooked until crispy, it’s chewy. It may depend on how you like your bacon.
Overall Flavor
It tastes like bacon if cooked long enough. I liked it either way, but the meat-eating husband says it is much better when cooked until crispy.
I also want to add a note about the smell. While cooking, your kitchen and house will have the same aroma as cooking bacon.
Cost Breakdown
The cost, compared to organic pork bacon with simple ingredients, is pretty similar.
Online MyBacon sells for $10.39, and organic pork bacon sells for $9.29 at Sprouts Farmer’s Market.
Making a difference of $1.10. It is also important to note that pork has a government subsidy. This means the government spends big bucks– last year, 9.1 billion dollars was allocated for commodity programs, including pig farmers. These dollars reduce production costs, thus lowering the overall cost to consumers.
My Overall Review of MyBacon
TLDR; if you skimmed and ended up here, this is an overview of what I liked and didn’t like about this vegan bacon.
As a dietitian, I wouldn’t recommend having this every single day, but for a special occasion or if you find yourself missing bacon, this is a great way to navigate a vegan lifestyle.
Pros
- Much better for the environment than animal products.
- An innovative approach to alternative proteins.
- Smells nostalgic
- Taste 5/5
- Texture 5/5
Cons
- Limited availability in person, the store locator can help find a location. No locations in Phoenix yet. However, you can get it in a Hungry Root Box (this link gets us both $50 off!).
- Higher in saturated fat, but so is bacon.
*This is an honest review, and I was not given any free product or monetary value for writing this post. The product came in a Hungry Root box that was also not gifted by either company.
