* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Low in calories, high in fiber, and high in sodium, 340 grams of beef chili with beans has 349 calories. With 94 calories per 100 grams, this food would be considered a Low calorie density food. Low calorie density foods are usually good for dieters because they let you eat more of them while still keeping the calories low. Beef Chili – with Beans is High in carbohydrates, Medium in proteins and Medium in fats. You can look at the macronutrients graph below for a detailed ratio. This usually means that it is a good choice of carbohydrates since it has a lot of fiber and not many sugars. It’s not safe to eat if you are on a Keto or Ketosis diet because it has 11 grams of “Net carbohydrates” per 100 grams. Related Searches beans with chili beef.
Nutrients and how much we eat of it play an important role on our health and body composition. To learn more on theses, check our blog posts on Proteins, Carbohydrates and Fats.
Chili is one of those hearty, comforting meals that warms you up on a cold day and fills your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas as it simmers away. Whether you like your chili mildly spiced or with a real kick of heat, a bowl of beef and bean chili really hits the spot. But if you’re watching your waistline, you might be wondering: How many calories are actually in a typical homemade bowl of chili?
As a fellow chili lover I’ve done some digging to find out just how calorie-dense this delicious one-pot meal can be. The answer depends on the specific ingredients and portion size, but read on for a general calorie estimate and tips to lighten up your bowl of red.
Estimating Calorie Counts in Homemade Chili
When making chili at home, there are a lot of ways to adjust the ingredients to suit your tastes Small tweaks like using lean ground turkey instead of beef or adding extra veggies can make a difference in the overall calories per serving Here are some general guidelines for estimating calories in homemade chili
- 3 ounces cooked ground beef: Approximately 250 calories
- 3 ounces cooked beans (like kidney, pinto, black): Approximately 110-130 calories
- 1/2 cup cooked veggies (like onions, bell pepper, zucchini): Approximately 25-50 calories
- 1 ounce shredded cheddar cheese: Approximately 110 calories
- 2 tablespoons sour cream: Approximately 60 calories
A typical hearty bowl of homemade chili made with lean ground beef, beans, onions peppers, tomatoes and spices will have around 350-450 calories per 2 cup serving. Adding on extras like cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips or cornbread can easily tack on 200+ additional calories.
For reference, a 2 cup serving of chili from a restaurant or fast food chain like Wendy’s tends to range from 440-670 calories. So your homemade version is comparable or sometimes lower in calories than takeout or frozen options made with fattier meats and more sodium.
Tips for Lightening Up Your Chili
If you’re looking to cut back on calories, there are lots of ways to make your homemade chili recipe a little lighter while keeping all the hearty, satisfying flavor. Here are some of my go-to tips:
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Use lean or extra lean ground turkey instead of higher fat beef or pork. You’ll save around 50-70 calories per 3 ounce serving.
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Load up on low cal veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, spinach and carrots in place of some of the meat and beans.
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Choose reduced sodium tomato products and drain/rinse canned beans to cut excess sodium.
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Skip fatty toppings like cheese, sour cream and oyster crackers which can add 150+ calories per serving.
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Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a tangy topping with less fat.
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Serve your chili over spaghetti squash, cauliflower rice or a baked potato instead of pasta or rice.
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Adjust portion sizes and stick to 1 1/2 cups per serving to control calorie intake. Freeze leftovers in single servings.
The Verdict on Chili Calories
When it comes to calories, homemade chili made with reasonable portions of lean meat, beans and veggies is a pretty healthy choice overall. To keep the calorie count between 300-400 per bowl, opt for turkey over higher fat beef, load up on extra veggies, and go easy on high-calorie toppings.
With a few simple tweaks, you can enjoy a warm, satisfying bowl of chili guilt-free this winter. Just be sure to have plenty of napkins on hand for the inevitable drips! Chili might have some calories, but the memories with family and friends that this hearty favorite brings are absolutely priceless.
