Nothing feels quite as comforting as a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup when you’re feeling under the weather or just need some comfort food. Campbell’s chicken noodle soup has been a pantry staple for generations of families. But if you’re watching your calorie intake or trying to make healthier food choices you might be wondering exactly how many calories are in that iconic red and white can.
I’ve done the research and compiled everything you need to know about the calorie content and nutritional profile of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup. Let’s dive into the details!
Understanding Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup Varieties
Before we talk about calories, it’s important to know that Campbell’s offers several varieties of chicken noodle soup:
- Regular (Condensed) – The traditional soup sold in 10.75 oz cans
- Healthy Request – A lower sodium version with 25% less sodium
- Homestyle – A chunkier version with more chicken, veggies, and pasta
For this article, I’ll focus mainly on the original condensed chicken noodle soup, which is what most people are familiar with.
Serving Size Matters!
When looking at calories in Campbell’s chicken noodle soup, the serving size makes a BIG difference. There are several ways people measure their soup servings
- 1/2 cup (120ml) condensed soup – Straight from the can before adding water
- 1 cup (240ml) prepared soup – After adding water as directed
- Entire 10.75 oz can – The full condensed soup
- 1 container (435g) – As listed on some nutrition labels
The calorie count varies depending on which serving size you’re referring to, so let’s break it down.
Calories in Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup (Different Serving Sizes)
Calories in 1/2 Cup Condensed Soup
According to the official Campbell’s website, there are 60 calories in 1/2 cup (120ml) of condensed Campbell’s chicken noodle soup before adding water.
The nutrition facts for this serving size also include:
- Total Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 890mg
- Total Carbs: 8g
- Dietary Fiber: <1g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 3g
Calories in 1 Cup Prepared Soup
When prepared as directed (mixing the condensed soup with an equal amount of water), 1 cup of prepared Campbell’s chicken noodle soup contains approximately 120 calories.
This prepared serving also contains:
- Total Fat: 3.5g
- Total Carbs: 18g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
Calories in a Full Can
What if you eat the entire can of condensed soup? According to the Bradley’s Fine Diner article, there are 120 calories in a full 10.75 oz can of condensed Campbell’s chicken noodle soup.
The full nutrition facts for an entire can are:
- Fat: 3.5g
- Carbs: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
Interestingly, the entire can has the same calorie count as 1 cup prepared. This makes sense since the directions call for adding 1 can of soup to 1 cup of water to make 2 cups of prepared soup.
Calories in a Container
According to the FatSecret data, there are 120 calories in 1 container (435g) of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup.
This serving contains:
- Total Fat: 3.50g (4% DV)
- Saturated Fat: 1g (5% DV)
- Cholesterol: 30mg (10% DV)
- Sodium: 1550mg (67% DV)
- Total Carbs: 18g (7% DV)
- Dietary Fiber: 1g (4% DV)
- Sugars: 1g
- Protein: 5g
Calorie Breakdown by Macronutrients
If you’re curious about where the calories come from, here’s the breakdown according to FatSecret:
- 26% from fat
- 58% from carbs
- 16% from protein
This shows that Campbell’s chicken noodle soup gets most of its calories from carbohydrates, primarily from the noodles.
Comparing Different Campbell’s Soup Varieties
How does the regular Campbell’s chicken noodle soup compare calorie-wise to the Healthy Request and Homestyle varieties?
Here’s a comparison based on 1 cup prepared:
- Regular Chicken Noodle – 120 calories
- Healthy Request Chicken Noodle – 100 calories
- Homestyle Chicken Noodle – 130 calories
As you can see, the Healthy Request version does save you about 20 calories per cup compared to the regular version. But overall, the calorie counts are pretty similar across all three varieties.
What’s Actually in Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup?
According to the Campbell’s website, the ingredients in their Chicken Noodle Soup include:
Chicken Stock, Enriched Egg Noodles (Wheat Flour, Eggs, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Chicken Meat, Contains Less Than 2% Of: Salt, Chicken Fat, Water, Monosodium Glutamate, Cornstarch, Modified Cornstarch, Natural Flavoring, Dried Chicken Broth, Sugar, Beta Carotene For Color, Onion Powder, Soy Protein Isolate, Sodium Phosphate, Yeast Extract, Dried Chicken, Garlic Extract.
The soup contains egg, wheat, and soy allergens.
Is Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup Healthy?
At 120 calories per prepared cup, Campbell’s chicken noodle soup is relatively low in calories. It provides some protein from the chicken, carbs from the noodles, and important electrolytes from the broth.
However, one potential health concern is the sodium content. According to the Campbell’s website, a 1/2 cup serving of condensed soup contains 890mg of sodium, which is 39% of the daily recommended value. When prepared, a full cup would still have a high sodium content.
Some health experts have criticized Campbell’s chicken noodle soup for being high in sodium – with up to 890 mg per serving or 19% of your daily value. This is something to consider if you’re watching your sodium intake.
Tips for Making Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup Healthier
If you want to enjoy your Campbell’s soup while keeping it healthier, here are some tips:
- Add extra veggies like spinach, carrots, or celery to boost nutrition
- Use less of the condensed soup and more water to dilute the sodium
- Pair with a side salad to increase your vegetable intake
- Watch your portion size – stick to the 1 cup serving
- Consider the Healthy Request version for less sodium
- Add fresh herbs like parsley or dill for flavor without extra calories
Is It Worth It? Comfort Food Perspective
At just 120 calories per cup prepared, Campbell’s chicken noodle soup can definitely fit into most healthy eating plans as an occasional comfort food. It’s much lower in calories than many other comfort foods like mac and cheese, pizza, or fried foods.
When you’re feeling under the weather or just need something warm and comforting, the familiar taste of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup can be exactly what you need. And now that you know the calorie content, you can enjoy it mindfully as part of a balanced diet.
FAQ About Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup Calories
How many calories are in a whole can of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup?
A whole can of Campbell’s Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup (10.75 oz) contains 120 calories before adding water. When prepared as directed (with one can of water), it makes about 2 cups of soup.
Is Campbell’s chicken noodle soup healthy to eat?
While it’s low in calories (120 calories per cup prepared), some nutritionists have criticized it for being high in sodium. However, it does provide protein, carbs, and important electrolytes, making it a better choice than many other processed foods.
How many calories are in a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup?
Homemade chicken noodle soup typically has about 276 calories per bowl, which is higher than Campbell’s. However, homemade soup often contains more chicken, vegetables, and noodles.
How can I reduce the calories in Campbell’s chicken noodle soup?
You can reduce calories by adding extra water to dilute the soup or by adding non-starchy vegetables to increase the volume without adding many calories.
Final Thoughts
Campbell’s chicken noodle soup is a classic comfort food that’s relatively low in calories at 120 calories per cup prepared. While it’s not the most nutrient-dense food choice due to its high sodium content, it can certainly fit into a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation.
I personally keep a few cans in my pantry for those days when I need something quick, warm, and comforting without a lot of calories. It’s one of those nostalgic foods that brings back childhood memories, and sometimes that emotional nourishment is just as important as the nutritional content!
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