What to Look for When Purchasing Chili

What to Look for When Purchasing Chili

As I write this blog, the wind chill outside is -20 degrees. I have been in the mood to make soup lately. Today I made white chicken chili. Homemade soup is wonderful, but there are times when time is short, and chili needs to be purchased.

 

There are many choices of chili to choose from on grocery store shelves.  If you purchase chili, make sure to read the Nutrition Facts Label.  Some chili products are high in sodium and saturated fat.  However, chili can be good sources of fiber and protein.

 

Here are some tips for selecting a healthy chili. Look for a product with beans. 

• Beans are a great source of plant based protein and fiber.
• Check the Nutrition Facts Label for sodium content for serving and compare with other brands of chili.
• If the brands have comparable amounts of sodium, stretch the servings by adding corn, diced tomatoes or whole grain pasta.  In Northeast Wisconsin, many people eat chili served on top of pasta in a soup bowl.
• Don’t eat the whole can of chili at one meal. Remember there are multiple servings in a can.
• In addition to the chili, add a salad, whole grain bread, crackers or pasta along with a serving from the dairy group.