Bacon and eggs. A classic breakfast, a staple of champions, and apparently, the preferred fuel for astronauts. Despite decades of fearmongering about cholesterol, heart disease, and even cancer, the men and women venturing into space keep reaching for this protein-packed powerhouse.
NASA’s breakfast menu isn’t some trendy, plant-based concoction designed to appease dietitians. It’s built for performance. And that means starting the day with a hefty dose of protein and fat—two essentials for sustained energy and focus. For decades, astronauts have relied on bacon and eggs to power them through intense training and, eventually, the unforgiving vacuum of space.
Of course, the usual suspects in the health world have tried to demonize this breakfast. Processed meats have been linked to cancer, red meat has been blamed for heart disease, and eggs have been accused of raising cholesterol. Yet, the science behind these claims is far from settled. Meanwhile, those who actually push their bodies to the limit—athletes, soldiers, and, yes, astronauts—continue to swear by these foods.
The reality is, bacon and eggs provide exactly what high-performance individuals need: protein for muscle maintenance, fats for long-lasting energy, and essential nutrients like choline, which supports brain function. That’s why NASA hasn’t swapped out this traditional breakfast for a bowl of granola and almond milk. When the mission is clear—stay strong, stay sharp, stay alive—real food wins.
The war on bacon and eggs is part of a broader trend: demonizing the foods that have sustained hardworking men for generations. Meanwhile, ultra-processed, sugar-laden cereals and “heart-healthy” grains continue to flood grocery store shelves, despite their role in skyrocketing obesity and metabolic disorders.
Astronauts don’t have time for fad diets or trendy food scares. They eat what works. And if a breakfast good enough for the most elite professionals on the planet is suddenly “dangerous,” maybe it’s time to reconsider who’s really calling the shots on nutrition.
