Calories in Swanson Chicken Broth: Everything You Need to Know

Hey there! I’m a huge fan of cooking and I’m always trying to find ways to make my meals healthier without sacrificing flavor. Today, I wanna talk about something that’s a staple in my kitchen – Swanson Chicken Broth. It’s one of those ingredients I use constantly, and I bet many of you do too.

But how many calories are actually in this kitchen essential? If you’re watching your calorie intake or just curious about what’s in your food, this article is for you Let’s dive in!

The Nutritional Breakdown of Swanson Chicken Broth

First things first – Swanson Chicken Broth is surprisingly low in calories. According to the nutrition facts, there are just 10 calories in a 1 cup (240 ml) serving of Swanson Chicken Broth. Yep, you read that right – only 10!

This makes it an excellent choice for adding flavor to your meals without adding a significant amount of calories. When I’m creating a soup or stew base, I don’t have to worry about it affecting my daily calorie goals.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of what’s in that cup of broth

*Based on a 2,000 calorie daily diet

Looking at this breakdown, we can see that Swanson Chicken Broth is

• Virtually fat-free
• Very low in carbs
• Low in protein
• High in sodium (this is important to note!)

Calorie Breakdown by Percentage

If we look at where those 10 calories come from:

• 0% from fat (since there’s 0g of fat)
• 50% from carbs (about 1g)
• 50% from protein (about 1g)

This makes Swanson Chicken Broth a remarkably balanced product in terms of its minimal calorie sources.

What’s Actually in Swanson Chicken Broth?

I always like to know what ingredients go into my food. According to Swanson’s product information, their chicken broth contains:

• Chicken Stock
• Salt
• Natural Flavoring
• Mirepoix (Carrots, Celery, Onions)
• Chicken Fat
• Yeast Extract

What I love about Swanson is that they use farm-raised chicken and vegetables picked at peak freshness. Their broth is made with 100% natural, non-GMO ingredients with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives – just like you’d make at home, but without all the work!

Swanson Chicken Broth Varieties and Their Calories

Swanson offers several varieties of their chicken broth. While we’re focusing on the regular chicken broth in this article, it’s worth mentioning some alternatives:

1. Regular Chicken Broth – 10 calories per cup
2. Organic Chicken Broth – Similar calorie content
3. Unsalted Chicken Broth – Similar calorie content but significantly less sodium
4. Bone Broth – May have slightly different calorie content

The regular chicken broth comes in various sizes:

• 14.5 oz
• 32 oz
• 48 oz
• 49.5 oz

This means you can choose the size that best fits your cooking needs without worrying about a difference in calories.

Sodium Content – The Only Real Concern

While the calorie content of Swanson Chicken Broth is minimal, the sodium content is something to be aware of. At 860mg per cup, that’s about 37% of your recommended daily intake of sodium.

If you’re watching your sodium intake due to high blood pressure or other health concerns, you might want to consider Swanson’s Unsalted Chicken Broth instead. It provides the same great flavor with significantly less sodium.

How Swanson Chicken Broth Compares to Other Brands

I’ve tried many different broths over the years, and Swanson consistently provides great flavor for very few calories. Most other brands have similar calorie counts (usually between 5-15 calories per cup), but the flavor profiles can vary significantly.

What sets Swanson apart is their commitment to quality ingredients and their balanced flavor that works well in a variety of recipes.

Ways to Use Swanson Chicken Broth (Without Adding Too Many Calories)

One of the reasons I love using chicken broth is its versatility. Here are some of my favorite low-calorie uses:

1. Base for soups and stews – The most obvious use, but it’s a classic for a reason!
2. Cooking liquid for grains – Try cooking rice or quinoa in broth instead of water for added flavor.
3. Braising vegetables – Braising veggies like leeks or greens in chicken broth adds amazing flavor.
4. Making mashed potatoes – Use broth instead of (or with less) milk and butter for lighter mashed potatoes.
5. Deglazing pans – After sautéing proteins, deglaze with broth to create a quick sauce without adding cream.

Swanson even suggests some great recipes on their website, including:

• Cheddar & Bacon Mashed Potatoes
• Extra Creamy Mashed Potatoes
• Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
• Sour Cream & Chive Mashed Potatoes
• Braised Leeks and Fresh Spinach with Feta and Lemon

Benefits of Using Low-Calorie Broth in Your Cooking

There are several advantages to using a low-calorie product like Swanson Chicken Broth:

1. Adds flavor without calories – Great for enhancing the taste of foods without adding extra calories.
2. Provides hydration – Broth is mostly water, so it helps keep you hydrated.
3. Versatile ingredient – Can be used in countless recipes.
4. Comforting – There’s something inherently comforting about the flavor of chicken broth.
5. Potential health benefits – While not a significant source of nutrients, broth does contain some minerals and can be part of a healthy diet.

Is Swanson Chicken Broth Good for Weight Loss?

Since we’re talking about calories, this is a natural question. At just 10 calories per cup, Swanson Chicken Broth can definitely be included in a weight loss plan. In fact, it’s a great way to add flavor to foods without adding significant calories.

Some ways I’ve used it in my own weight management journey:

• Sipping broth – Sometimes when I’m hungry between meals, a cup of warm broth satisfies me without adding many calories.
• Bulking up meals – Adding broth to make soups and stews more voluminous helps me feel fuller on fewer calories.
• Flavor enhancer – Using broth instead of oil or butter to add flavor saves significant calories.

Dietary Considerations

Swanson Chicken Broth fits into many dietary patterns:

• Low-carb/keto diets – With less than 1g of carbs per cup, it’s suitable for low-carb diets.
• Low-fat diets – Contains 0g of fat per serving.
• Gluten-free – Swanson Chicken Broth is gluten-free.

However, if you’re following a vegetarian or vegan diet, you’ll want to choose Swanson’s Vegetable Broth instead.

Storage and Shelf Life

Once opened, Swanson Chicken Broth should be stored in the refrigerator and used within 7-10 days. If you don’t think you’ll use it all in that time, you can freeze it in ice cube trays or small containers for future use.

The best part? Freezing and thawing doesn’t affect the calorie content at all!

My Personal Experience With Swanson Chicken Broth

I’ve been using Swanson broths for years, and they’ve become a staple in my kitchen. I love that I can add them to so many dishes without worrying about calories. Just last week, I made a wonderful chicken and vegetable soup using Swanson Chicken Broth as the base, and it was both delicious and light.

One of my favorite “tricks” is to use it to make a quick sauce for chicken or fish. After cooking the protein, I’ll deglaze the pan with about 1/2 cup of broth, let it reduce a bit, add some herbs, and voila – a flavorful sauce for just 5 calories!

So there you have it – Swanson Chicken Broth contains just 10 calories per cup (240 ml), making it an excellent low-calorie addition to your cooking arsenal. While it’s low in calories, fat, carbs, and protein, it does contain a significant amount of sodium (860mg per cup), so be mindful of that if you’re watching your sodium intake.

The broth derives its calories equally from its minimal carbohydrate and protein content (about 50% each), with no calories coming from fat.

What makes Swanson Chicken Broth special isn’t just its low calorie content, but the quality of ingredients and the rich, full-bodied flavor it brings to your dishes. It’s made with 100% natural, non-GMO ingredients and contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Whether you’re counting calories, looking to enhance the flavor of your meals, or simply want a versatile ingredient to keep on hand, Swanson Chicken Broth is a great choice. I know it’ll continue to be a staple in my kitchen!

Swanson chicken broth calories vary by product, with 100% Natural Chicken Broth containing 10 calories per 1 cup serving and Natural Goodness Lower Sodium Chicken Broth containing 15 calories per 1 cup serving.

Yes, chicken broth contains calories, although it is a low-calorie food, typically around 10-20 calories per cup. The exact calorie content can vary depending on the specific brand, whether it’s fat-free, and if it’s made from scratch or store-bought.

Swanson’s broth is a finished, seasoned product for everyday use in soups and dishes, while their stock is a less seasoned, more natural base ingredient meant for cooking, particularly for enriching sauces and gravies due to its higher protein content and richer, fuller flavor from bones. Stock has a more robust and less-seasoned flavor, allowing you to control the taste of your finished dish through additional herbs and spices, whereas broth provides a bolder, finished flavor.