In one standard sized bowl of chili there are approximately 200-400 calories, but the number can vary greatly depending on the type of meat and toppings used.
One of the most popular American dishes is chili. This meat and bean concoction has been around for hundreds of years.
The most common ingredients found in chili includes ground beef, tomatoes (mostly stewed), onions, peppers, and of course, beans. Kidney beans, chili beans and pinto beans are among the most popular beans found in chili. Spices include oregano, paprika, cumin and a dash of hot peppers. It is not the spices that impact the calorie count but the meat included in the dish. Beef contains more calories than turkey or chicken. Rarely do you see a bowl of chicken chili, but turkey burger is becoming more and more common.
Beef is high in saturated fats and contains more calories than some of the lean protein alternatives. In fact, calories can be drastically cut if beef is completely omitted from the chili. However, for the carnivores, chili made with one pound of beef, a can of stewed tomatoes, a large can of tomato sauce, and one large can of kidney beans contains just under 400 calories per serving.
Adding cheese, onions and sour cream will add another 100-200 calories in toppings. If you are watching your weight, factor in the calorie content for additional items in order to reduce the number. Calories can be cut if you implement low-fat cheese or non-fat sour cream.
