Protein fills you and keeps you satisfied longer than other nutrients because it takes longer to digest and can suppress hunger hormones. As a result, eating a protein-rich breakfast can curb hunger pangs and prevent mindless snacking later in the day.

But don't just take our word for it—there's research to prove it! One study published in Nutrition Journal found that individuals who ate breakfasts with 30-39 grams of protein consumed fewer calories at lunch than those who ate a low-protein alternative. Similarly, an Obesity study demonstrated that a high-protein breakfast not only prevented fat gain but also led participants to eat fewer calories throughout the day compared to breakfast skippers.

If you're ready to start reaping these impressive benefits, there's no better place to start than at the grocery store. You may be familiar with protein-rich breakfast foods such as eggs, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and turkey sausage, but do you know which brands are producing the healthiest versions of each?

We talked to dietitians to get their top recommendations for these store-bought high-protein breakfast items available at your local grocer. Read on to learn about some of the best dietitian-approved, high-protein breakfast foods you can buy, then make sure to check out these 38 High-Protein Breakfast Recipes.

Bob's Red Mill Protein Oats

Oatmeal is a super healthy way to start your morning because of the high fiber content of oats, but if you're looking for a bit more protein, try buying some protein oats like the ones from Bob's Red Mill.

"Bob's Red Mill Protein Oats are made with just one ingredient, and one serving provides 60% more protein vs. ordinary oats," says Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN. "With 10 grams of protein per serving and a whopping 6 grams of fiber, leaning on these oats makes sneaking in extra protein easy-breezy if you are an oatmeal lover."

RELATED: The 10 Healthiest Lean Proteins You Can Eat

Applegate Naturals Uncured Turkey Bacon

Regular pork bacon is high in protein, but it can also be high in saturated fat and sodium, too. For people looking for a healthier option, turkey bacon may be the route to go.

"Lean cuts of turkey bacon or turkey sausage are lower in fat than traditional pork products but still provide a good amount of protein for breakfast," says Mary Sabat MS, RDN, LD. "Just make sure the bacon is nitrate-free and organic, as nitrates are associated with potential health risks such as cancer."

For nitrate-free, high-protein turkey bacon, our dietitians recommend Applegate Naturals Uncured Turkey Bacon.

"This bacon contains 6 grams of protein per serving and it is only made with humanely raised turkey that is never treated with antibiotics," says Manaker.

Red's Turkey Sausage Egg'Wich

Breakfast sandwiches can be a great breakfast to grab when you're in a hurry, and for a healthy, high-protein sandwich option, Manaker recommends Red's Turkey Sausage Egg'Wich.

"With 17 grams of protein per serving, this sandwich uses fluffy cage-free egg patties instead of bread for a keto-friendly spin," says Manaker. "This sandwich also uses a sage-flavored, antibiotic-free turkey sausage patty and real American cheese for a satisfying and convenient breakfast solution."

According to Manaker, a huge bonus of this sandwich is that it's microwavable, "so you can enjoy your breakfast in minutes after heating it properly."

RELATED: 43 Healthy Keto Snack Recipes for Weight Loss

HERO Croissant

It's safe to say you probably don't associate "high-protein breakfast" with buttery pastries like croissants, but HERO Croissants help bring these two worlds together.

"A croissant with 10 grams of protein per serving that actually tastes good? It's true. This croissant is made with ingredients like fava bean protein to create these lower-carb and higher-protein baked goods," says Manaker.

Premier Protein Protein Pancakes

Having microwavable pancakes to enjoy on your craziest mornings that also provide you with a decent amount of protein is something that sounds too good to be true, but Premier Protein Pancakes make it possible.

"These protein pancakes allow you to skip making your own batter and enjoy a flapjack with 15 grams of protein per serving," says Manaker. "In under two minutes, these microwavable pancakes make it easy to enjoy pancakes on busy mornings."

Mason Dixie Pancake Sandwiches

A sausage patty sitting between two mini waffles sounds like it would be a breakfast item to put on our "unhealthy" list, but that's not the case with these Liège Waffle Sandwiches from Mason Dixie Foods. With 10 grams of protein and only 310 calories, this sandwich is the perfect high-protein breakfast. It comes frozen and fully cooked, and after just 80 seconds you'll be able to enjoy this delicious morning meal.

Kodiak Cakes Power Cakes Flapjack & Waffle Mix

It can seem like a daunting task to find a high-protein, nutrient-dense pancake and waffle mix, but Kodiak Cakes makes it easy. Their Flapjack & Waffle Mix carries 15 grams of protein per serving, with only 220 calories and 5 grams of filling fiber—a nutrient that is hard to come by in regular store-bought pancake mix.

Icelandic Provisions Skyr

Just like the yogurt you know and love but even creamier, Skyr is a type of yogurt made from Icelandic cultures that is naturally high in protein and low in sugar.

Manaker specifically loves the Skyr products from Icelandic Provisions, which you can enjoy plain or with one of their flavors like Berry Medley, Pineapple, Key Lime, or Wild Blueberry & Bilberry. We love their plain option because it has only 3 grams of sugar and 17 grams of protein, and it's easy to add your own ingredients for more flavor.

RELATED: 9 Highest-Protein Yogurts on Grocery Store Shelves

Stonyfield Farms 100% Grass Fed Greek Yogurt

For another high-protein, low-sugar yogurt option to start your day, Sabat suggests Stoneyfield Farms 100% Grass Fed Greek Yogurt.

"This yogurt is 100% grass-fed organic, which means the cows only grazed on organic grass (therefore no pesticides) and did not receive GMO grain," says Sabat.

When choosing a yogurt to start your day, Sabat suggests "Opting for plain Greek yogurt to avoid added sugars." Once you have your yogurt, you can add your favorite nuts, nut butter, or protein granola to make yourself a high-protein breakfast.

Fage 0% Greek Yogurt

According to Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, another great pick for those who love some yogurt for breakfast is Fage 0% Greek Yogurt.

Along with providing 16 grams of protein per serving with only 80 calories and zero saturated fat, Young says, "Yogurt provides probiotics beneficial for gut health and helps keep you feeling full and satisfied to reduce overall calorie intake throughout the day."

Nancy's Organic Cottage Cheese

"Cottage cheese is a great source of protein, providing about 14 grams of protein per half-cup serving," says Sabat. "Nancy's Organic Cottage Cheese is the brand to buy because it is not only 100% grass-fed and organic but it adds beneficial bacteria to the yogurt, making it extremely beneficial to gut health."

For breakfast, you can use cottage cheese on toast, in your eggs and omelets, in a breakfast taco, in your oatmeal or overnight oats, or in a bowl with fruit and nuts. Either way, you'll be getting a lean, healthy protein boost.

Friendship 1% Lowfat Cottage Cheese

For another delicious cottage cheese option, Young recommends Friendship Lowfat Cottage Cheese.

"Cottage cheese is a great source of protein," says Young, "and this product offers 15 grams of protein and is rich in calcium to support bone health." She adds that cottage cheese is also "relatively low in calories and rich in nutrients essential for metabolism and overall well-being."

Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Cereal

For those who don't want to ditch their bowl of cereal, Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Cereal is a smart choice.

"This cereal stands out as a healthy high-protein breakfast choice because of its organic ingredients, which include sprouted grains," says Sabat. "The sprouting process enhances nutrient absorption and digestibility while also increasing the cereal's protein content, providing 8 grams per serving. Moreover, the absence of artificial or natural flavors or colors ensures a clean and minimally processed product."

RELATED: 9 Best Healthy Cereals on Grocery Shelves

Eggland's Best Eggs

Eggs are a nutritious way to start your morning, especially when you need that boost of protein. If you're looking for a specific brand you can trust that isn't going to break the bank, Manaker suggests Eggland's Best Eggs.

"Each large Eggland's Best egg contains 6 grams of protein, and they have 6 times more vitamin D compared to ordinary eggs, and they are a natural source of a slew of micronutrients, including vitamin B12 and choline," says Manaker. "These eggs can be used for various breakfast dishes, like an omelet, a scramble, and so much more."

Horizon Organic Grassfed Milk

Whether it's in your oatmeal, a bowl of cereal, or a glass, starting your day with milk can help you increase your protein intake. But as with many food and drink products, finding brands you can trust is key, especially brands who are honest about where their products are being sourced.

When it comes to milk, Sabat always chooses Horizon Organic Grassfed Milk. "With Horizon Organic Grassfed Milk, the cows are pasture-raised on 100% grass with no GMOs, hormones, or antibiotics ever."

Garden of Life Protein Powder

Protein powder can be an easy way to sneak in some protein in the morning. You can put it in a shake, smoothie, bowl of oatmeal, or even in your pancake and waffle mix.

A protein powder that Sabat loves is Garden of Life Protein Powder, which she says "offers an excellent choice for a high-protein breakfast due to its diverse blend of organic protein sources like pea protein, sprouted brown rice protein, and various sprouts such as quinoa, chia seed, and sunflower seeds." She says "This comprehensive protein blend provides a complete amino acid profile necessary for muscle repair and growth, making it ideal for supporting a healthy breakfast regimen."

Artisana Nut Butters

Nut butter is a protein-rich topping for your toast, oatmeal, yogurt, or overnight oats. Sabat suggests Artisina Nut Butters, specifically their Almond Butter, which offers 7 grams of protein per serving.

"Peanut butter, almond butter, or other nut butters are rich in protein and healthy fats," says Sabat. "Spread them on whole grain toast or add them to smoothies for a protein boost."

RELATED: 36 Best Vegan Proteins To Crush Cravings & Feel Full

Nasoya Organic Tofu

To some, tofu may not seem like much of a breakfast food, but for those looking for plant-based proteins to eat in the morning, tofu is the perfect choice. This soy-based product is a complete protein, "usually with about 10 grams of protein per half-cup serving, that you can use in breakfast scrambles, smoothies, or sandwiches," says Sabat.

For a trustworthy organic brand to try for breakfast, Sabat recommends Nasoya Organic Tofu.

MUSH Overnight Oats, PB&J

If you want a high-protein breakfast option that's ready to grab and go, you have to check out MUSH's overnight oats. Made with only seven ingredients—such as oats, peanuts, strawberries, and dates—this is a whole-food-based breakfast that delivers an impressive 10 grams of protein with a nostalgic flavor combination.

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Using leafy greens as a vessel for meat or other fillings is a longstanding tradition in many Asian cultures, and it's catching on in the United States, especially as more consumers try to cut-out starchy carbs. Right now, many restaurant chains offer lettuce wrap options for customers looking to ditch the bread.

From Asian restaurants that serve build-it-yourself lettuce wraps you can share with the table to fast-food joints that serve leafy wrappers ideal for holding a burger together, there are many lettuce wrap options for customers.

Whether you're craving Asian-style lettuce wraps with savory dipping sauce or just in a pinch and trying to cut carbs, here are some restaurant chains that serve the best lettuce wraps.

P.F. Chang's

When you think of chain restaurant lettuce wraps, P.F. Chang's famous chicken lettuce wraps may spring to mind. As its website proudly proclaims, it is "a secret family recipe and our signature dish." Large leaves of lettuce are the perfect crunchy wrap for savory, simmered chicken breast and crispy rice noodles. Dip your wrap in the chain's signature sauce for a pleasant balance of sweet and savory. You can order a vegetarian version of the lettuce wraps with tofu, and the dish can be made gluten-free upon request.

RELATED: 6 Restaurant Chains That Serve the Best Wraps

Shake Shack

The East Coast-born chain known for its "never frozen, 100% Angus beef" and handcrafted milkshakes offers the option of putting your burger on a lettuce wrap. Though the chain has had a Veggie Shack menu for lettuce-wrapped burgers since 2018 as a gluten-free option, Shake Shack's lettuce wraps went viral recently on TikTok when TikToker @catchingupwithcaitlin posted a video of her surprise at the lettuce-y offering. Though somewhat consternated, she clearly enjoyed the wrap, and she added in the comment section that "it was actually really good, just a lot." As many of the TikTok comments point out, Shake Shack lettuce wraps use good quality lettuce that appears crisp and juicy.

In-N-Out Burger

Whether you prefer Shake Shack or its California-born rival, In-N-Out Burger, may largely depend on the coast where you grew up, but even diehard In-N-Out fans may be surprised to know that In-N-Out was one of the pioneers of swapping lettuce for a bun. The chain has had the option of lettuce-wrapped burgers (ask for any burger "protein style") since the inception of its not-so-secret secret menu in 1955, when founder Harry Snyder began eating burgers on lettuce and put it on the secret menu. One popular secret menu hack is the "Flying Dutchman," which consists of two beef patties sandwiched around two cheese slices. To avoid getting your fingers dirty by directly holding the patties, get the Flying Dutchman protein-style!

RELATED: 4 Fast-Food Chains That Serve The Best "Snack Wrap"

Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory is like the Trader Joe's of restaurant chains. Its enormous menu draws from a huge range of cuisines, from Mexican street corn and avocado egg rolls to shrimp scampi and Thai chicken lettuce wraps. These build-your-own Thai lettuce wraps come with satay chicken strips, coconut curry noodles, bean sprouts, carrots, and lettuce leaves. You can replace the chicken with avocado for a vegetarian option, and the dish come with three spicy Thai sauces for dipping: sweet red chili, peanut, and tamarind-cashew. With multiple Reddit forums full of dedicated fans, many of whom attempt (to varying degrees of success) to replicate the dipping sauces, The Cheesecake Factory has a hit on its hands.

Five Guys

Five Guys is another burger joint where bun replacement is no problem. Redditors love its lettuce wrap option, and at the chain, a whole host of extra toppings (from jalapenos to grilled mushrooms) are free. That's great news, as one blogger who lauded the lettuce wraps also recommends getting grilled onions: "The grilled onions are perfectly cooked and in my opinion what sets Five Guys apart from all the other burger joints." Five Guys uses a crunchier, thicker iceberg lettuce for its wraps. They might not be as large as those used by Shake Shack, but iceberg adds the crunch factor. "Even when I'm not doing keto, I love the lettuce wrap. So much crunch!" says one Redditor.

RELATED: 11 Delicious Burgers You Can Only Order Off 'Secret Menus'

Hardee's

Fast-food chain Hardee's is known for its biscuit sandwiches, onion rings, and burgers, and for the more carb-conscious, it offers lettuce wraps in lieu of burger buns—ask for your burger to be "low carb." The North Carolina-born chain began offering a lettuce wrap option for all of their burgers in 2020, with popular choices being the guacamole bacon Thickburger lettuce wrap laden with plenty of guac and bacon, as well as the mushroom and Swiss burger with a quarter-pound 100% Angus beef patty topped with melted Swiss and mushroom sauce. "I love Hardee's Mushroom Swiss burger as a low-carb lettuce wrap," raves one Redditor.

Pei Wei Asian Kitchen

Pei Wei Asian Kitchen touts itself as a fast-service alternative to less healthy strip-mall Pan-Asian fare, specializing in made-to-order dishes that "use only the freshest, house-chopped vegetables and whole cuts of white-meat chicken and flank steak." Its signature chicken lettuce wraps are designed to be shared with the table and combine Chinese-inspired flavors with the freshness of lettuce cups. The lettuce wraps consist of chicken ground in-house with scallions, shiitake mushrooms, garlic, and water chestnuts, all wok-tossed in a savory sauce and served over lettuce cups and crispy rice sticks. Yelp reviews say things like "I highly recommend the lettuce wraps" and "The lettuce wraps were OMGGG!!"

Mooyah

Texas-born burger chain Mooyah serves up southern hospitality and high-quality burgers at more than 80 locations around the U.S. Since the chain has always been a build-your-own burger concept (with plenty of decadent recommendations from the Burger Hall of Dang for those who suffer from indecision), it's no surprise that it offers the Iceburger option of building your burger on a lettuce wrap. Unlike some lettuce-wrap burgers that skimp on the lettuce and can disintegrate into a salad, Mooyah's Iceburgers come on thick, crunchy wedges of iceberg lettuce that hold the wrap together well. Extra hungry? Try the Paleo Iceburger with double certified Angus beef, applewood smoked bacon, avocado, pickles, onions, and tomatoes. "If you can ever find Mooyah try an Iceburger. Thickest best burger lettuce wrap ever," raves one Redditor.

Sonic

If you're on a road trip and craving the crunch of a lettuce wrap or looking for low-carb alternatives without having to get out of your car, drive-through fast food chain Sonic offers the option of getting your burger wrapped in lettuce (though it'd be hard to pass up those onion rings). You can't beat the convenience of a drive-through, and the chain also offers a large selection of sugar-free soft drink options. Healthy eating blog The Diet Doctor gave the bun-less double cheeseburger a solid review: "The burger itself tastes clean and good and the condiments do too. This is a quick, smaller lunch that will keep you going for a couple of hours."

Panera Bread

Though casual-dining chain Panera Bread references bread in its name, those in the know can order steak and veggie lettuce wraps—tell them you want to order from the secret menu and ask for Power Steak Lettuce Wraps. The do-it-yourself wraps feature seared top sirloin, diced red onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers, all topped with basil pesto and fresh-squeezed lemon juice and served with leaf lettuce for wrapping. The sirloin is juicy and tender, and the order comes with plenty of lettuce, so you won't get your hands dirty if you eat it wrap-style. Panera technically discontinued its secret menu, but according to Tasting Table, most restaurants will still serve secret menu items such as the lettuce wraps, as long as they're not out of ingredients.

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How we identified the highest-quality green teas:

According to Mary Sabat MS, RDN, LD, there are a few things you can look for when searching for the best green teas. To ensure your tea is of the highest quality, she says to:

• Look for organic certification to avoid pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
• Check the ingredients list to ensure there are no natural or artificial flavors added.
• Opt for whole-leaf tea, which can retain more nutrients and flavor than broken leaves or dust.
• Choose unbleached teabags to avoid potential chemical contamination from the bleaching process.

You can still get the health benefits from teas that may not meet all of these criteria, but Sabat ensures that following these guidelines will give you the safest, highest-quality green tea. For examples of trustworthy green tea brands to buy, we've put together a list of 10 high-quality green teas. Read on, then check out the 11 Highest Quality Teas on Grocery Shelves for varieties outside of just green tea.

DAVIDsTEA Organic Ceremonial Matcha

This Organic Ceremonial Matcha from DAVIDsTEA is about as clean as it can get. It is certified organic and made from the highest quality Tencha leaves from Nishio, Japan, and it's so pure that you'll find nothing in this container except for fine, stone-ground matcha powder.

DAVIDsTEA has over 15 types of matcha powders and green tea leaves, so green tea lovers can surely find the best variety for their preferences.

RELATED: 6 Best Teas To Boost Metabolism and Lose Weight

Rishi Sencha

Rishi's Sencha green tea is made from two tea bush cultivars—Saemidori and Okumidori—that are harvested from organic Japanese farms. Rishi sources all of its teas directly from farmers, guaranteeing quality and traceability.

This tea is made with the "Chumushi" process, which steams the green tea leaves for a moderate amount of time, bringing out the bold, umami flavors of the Sencha. All of Rishi's teas are USDA-certified organic and the sachets are biodegradable and plant-based.

Numi Green Tea

"Plain and simple, Numi Green Tea is nothing but organic, loose-leaf tea," says Sabat. "There are no additives or flavors but the tea itself is said to have a full-bodied, rich flavor."

When looking for green teas, you can choose from their Gunpowder Green, which is their regular green tea rolled into pearls, or their Jasmine Tea, which comes in leaf or pearl form. Either way, you're getting a high-quality green tea.

RELATED: Here's How Much Green Tea You Should Drink Every Day To Lose Weight

Yogi Green Tea Super Antioxidant

"Yogi Green Tea Super Antioxidant Tea is crafted to deliver a potent blend of antioxidants, promoting overall health and vitality," says Sabat. "This unique infusion combines Green Tea with Grapeseed Extract and harnesses their natural antioxidant properties for enhanced well-being."

This tea is also infused with organic lemongrass, licorice, and jasmine green tea. Sabat adds, "With additional organic ingredients like Alfalfa, Burdock, and Dandelion roots, this tea provides comprehensive support for detoxification and rejuvenation."

RELATED: Here's How Many Cups of Tea You Should Drink Daily To Slow Aging

Traditional Medicinals Green Teas

You can trust Traditional Medicinals as a tea company that sources "only organic, high-quality teas without any artificial or natural flavors and ensures that their teas maintain purity and authenticity," says Sabat.

And if you're looking for green tea specifically, they have a variety to choose from like Matcha, Lemongrass, Ginger, Peppermint, and Dandelion. Sabat says, "With Traditional Medicinals, consumers can trust that every sip of their green tea contributes to their overall health and well-being."

The Republic of Tea Organic Detox SuperGreen Tea Bags

Another shining green tea is the Organic Detox SuperGreen Tea from the Republic of Tea, which is a blend of Japanese matcha, green tea, chlorella, green apple, and mint.

"Unlike traditional green tea, where the leaves are steeped in hot water and then discarded, matcha involves finely ground green tea leaves that are whisked directly into water, creating a vibrant green beverage," says Sabat. "Not only is this matcha tea from Republic of Tea itself organic, but the unbleached tea bags ensure no harmful chemicals leach into the brew during steeping," says Sabat.

Sabat also notes that "Packed with the antioxidant power of matcha and chlorella, this blend offers a myriad of health benefits, including detoxification and digestive support."

RELATED: 6 Teas That Burn Belly Fat

Pukka Supreme Matcha Green Tea

Pukka is another trustworthy tea company selling sustainably sourced, organic tea bags and loose-leaf teas that come from "practitioner-grade" herbs.

We love their Supreme Matcha Green Tea, which is a blend of matcha powder and three different types of green tea leaves, giving you as much antioxidant-rich green tea as possible in one cup. Pukka also offers a Lean Matcha Green Tea, which is made with cinnamon, oolong, and fennel, and a Clean Matcha Green Tea, made with dandelion, fennel, licorice, and lemon myrtle.

Four Sigmatic Matcha

For something a little different, we love the Matcha Latte Mix from Four Sigmatic.

"Featuring dairy-free organic coconut powder and organic matcha tea, this matcha latte mix presents a creamy texture and a rich, authentic flavor," says Sabat. "Additionally, the inclusion of organic lion's mane and moringa powder adds health-enhancing properties, enriching the latte with vital nutrients."

Sabat also adds, "With low sugar and caffeine content, this latte provides a guilt-free indulgence while offering a boost of energy and focus."

Mighty Leaf

Another trustworthy green tea that Sabat recommends is the Organic Green Dragon from Mighty Leaf.

"Longjing Dragonwell green tea, cultivated organically and prepared using traditional wok-firing techniques, presents a distinct chestnut-like taste and an enchanting fragrance, making it an excellent option for those who appreciate flavorful green teas and value organic farming practices," says Sabat.

If you're more into teas with a bit of flavor, you can try one of their other green tea varieties like their Spring Jasmine, Marrakesh Mint, or Green Tea Tropical.

Leaves of Leisure Bath Time Tea

A high-quality green tea you can drink as you're winding down for the night, Leaves of Leisure Bath Time Tea is everything you could want in a nighttime beverage. It's made with green tea, lemongrass, tangerine, rosemary, and sage leaves, and all of its ingredients are sourced from China, India, Turkey, and Thailand.

Every variety of tea from Leaves of Leisure is certified organic, vegan, kosher, part of the Ethical Tea Partnership, and are completely free of any additives.

RELATED: 7 Best Teas To Drink for a Longer Life

Whole Foods Organic Green Tea

For a simple green tea bag that you can trust, we love the Whole Foods Organic Green Tea. It's certified USDA organic, non-GMO, kosher, and vegan, and there are no other ingredients except for the organic green tea leaves. This tea also has a Rainforest Alliance certification, meaning it's a sustainably sourced product you can feel good about consuming.

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Sour cream is crafted in two main styles. The first is cultured sour cream, "which uses a bacteria culture to convert lactose and is not less than 8% milkfat," says Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN award-winning nutrition expert and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Up Your Veggies: Flexitarian Recipes for the Whole Family. The other way to make sour cream is through the utilization of an "acid addition to make the milk more acidic and lactose remains in the finished product," continues Amidor. These sour creams are then offered in a wide variety of fat quantities, as defined by Amidor—Reduced fat (13.5% fat), light (9% or less fat), low fat (6% or less fat), and nonfat (1% or less fat).

Like all foods–and dairy products, at that–some brands are simply better for your health than others. Certain companies may adhere to stricter production methods, farming standards, and nutrition, while others may add a host of unnecessary additives to their product (whether or not these additives are benign).

It can be overwhelming to choose which sour cream is best for your specific health needs, so we've gone ahead and picked out the best (and some of the worst) sour creams so that you don't have to.

How We Chose the Best Sour Cream

We followed strict criteria when choosing the best sour creams on the market to ensure both quality taste and ultimate health.

• Low Sodium: Sour cream is usually low in sodium, but many brands like to sneak in excess sodium to enhance flavor and get consumers hooked. All of our recommended sour cream brands boast 20 milligrams or less of sodium which may help you stay on track toward meeting your health goals. It's important to note that the American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams a day for the average adult and promotes an ideal of 1,500 milligrams per day. If you're currently experiencing hypertension (high blood pressure), it's important to talk to your healthcare provider about how much sodium you should consume per day.

• Simple Ingredients: To put it frankly, there's nothing wrong with having "complicated" ingredients. Just because you can't pronounce an ingredient doesn't mean it's bad for you. Really, it just depends on what the ingredient is used for and how much of it is actually in your food. However, we wanted to keep it simple to make it easier for you to choose a healthy sour cream. All of the "best" sour creams on this list have simple, easy-to-read ingredients that are naturally derived and won't leave you guessing.

• Relatively Low in Saturated Fat: Saturated fat, which is fat that solidifies at room temperature, is natural in dairy products. However, too much saturated fat can lead to a slew of health issues, including cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the AHA recommends no more than 13 grams of saturated fat per day. A couple of dollops (or two tablespoons) of our favorite sour creams will put you at about 4.5 grams or less. If you eat these products in moderation, you should be just fine in the health department, and remember to eat nutrient-dense foods alongside your dairy products such as vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.

The Best Sour Creams

Best: Daisy Sour Cream

With a creaminess and flavor that complements any food it's paired with, Daisy Sour Cream enhances the overall eating experience. Made with only one ingredient–cultured cream—Daisy Sour Cream is free from preservatives, stabilizers, gums, and thickeners.

RELATED: 25 Healthy Chili Recipes for Weight Loss

Best: Tillamook Cultured Sour Cream

With slightly lower sodium levels than other brands, Tillamook's Cultured Sour Cream is made with rBST-free milk and slightly more butterfat than other brands, making it richer and more tart. That being said, Tillamook sour cream doesn't consist of more grams of fat than other brands on the market, and this sour cream actually has a bit less saturated fat than some. Additionally, this sour cream provides 2% of your daily calcium and potassium needs, both of which are crucial nutrients to support bone health.

Best: Elmhurst Sour Cream

For those looking for a dairy-free sour cream substitute, Elmhurst makes a delicious, silky alternative that has the same tang as your regular sour cream. Made with natural ingredients like oat milk, coconut oil, sunflower oil, and hemp protein, this sour cream is perfect for your baked potato. This Elmhurst substitute is—get this—completely sodium-free and contains no cholesterol, and all ingredients are non-GMO. Lastly, their convenient squeeze pouch is 100% BPA-free. The thing is, this is a small batch, limited edition sour cream, so get it while you can!

RELATED: 10 Highest-Quality Butter Brands, According to a Dietitian

Best: Kalona Organic Sour Cream

If you're looking for a USDA-certified organic sour cream, look no further than Kalona Organic Sour Cream. Kalona's sour cream is minimally processed through low-temperature pasteurization which, according to their website, kills "unwanted pathogens, but not the helpful bacteria that our bodies need." Additionally, Kalona's unique flavor makes it great on foods not usually associated with sour cream, like fruit.

Best: 365 Organic Lowfat Sour Cream

With no added sugar and 2 grams of protein, Whole Foods' Sour Cream is a great choice for those looking for a low-fat option. This USDA-certified organic sour cream also provides 6% of your daily vitamin A intake, with only 2.5 grams of fat per 2 tablespoons. Additionally, all stabilizers in this sour cream are sourced from natural ingredients such as guar gum, agar, and organic locust mung bean gum, so you don't need to worry about the health consequences of any synthetic food additives.

RELATED: 12 Best & Worst Mayonnaise Brands

Best: Good Culture

Amanda Sauceda, MS, RD, registered dietitian, feels that Good Culture has one of the best-tasting sour creams on the market. "They have simple ingredients, a rich texture, and its a source of probiotics, thanks to the live and active cultures," she shares. Plus, it's made with milk from pasture-raised cows.

The Worst Sour Creams

Worst: Land O' Lakes Sour Cream

It was a bit hard to choose a "bad" sour cream, as most brands lie within a similar health ballpark. We decided that Land O' Lakes, however, does come with a higher sodium count than most other brands without any protein, and only a scant potassium boost. Additionally, this sour cream is filled with different additives and preservatives with which some consumers may not be comfortable, such as modified food starch and sodium hexametaphosphate, the latter of which has proven to be safe for consumption, although it seems unnecessary given the fact that so many other brands do just fine without it.

RELATED: 10 Best & Worst Salad Dressing Brands

Worst: Food Lion Original Sour Cream

Not to say that this sour cream is "bad", but it isn't the best out there. While it does offer some major flavor and it doesn't have any sketchy ingredients in the container, it doesn't have any bells and whistles to make us want to crown it one of the "best". If you have the option, you can reap more health benefits if you select a different variety. But if this sour cream happens to end up in your shopping cart, you will be okay.

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Diets high in sodium are associated with high blood pressure, which increases your risk of heart disease and stroke and can also affect other parts of your body, like your kidneys and your brain.

Thankfully, even at restaurants with the unhealthiest menu options, there are low-sodium orders you can enjoy. We worked with a team of registered dietitians to look at the menus of 25 national restaurant chains to find the best low-sodium order from each.

How much sodium is low-sodium?

The FDA defines the term "low sodium" as 140 milligrams of sodium or less for packaged foods, but there is no formal guidance as to what is considered "low sodium" at restaurants.

To put together this list of low-sodium restaurant chain meals, we limited entrees to a third of the daily recommended limit of sodium and sides to 20% of the daily limit. That came out to 760 milligrams of sodium for an entree and 460 milligrams of sodium for an individual item.

The 25 best low-sodium restaurant orders

Chili's Santa Fe Chicken Salad

The Santa Fe Chicken Salad at Chili's has 650 milligrams of sodium in a bowl, and is loaded with spicy chicken, fresh vegetables, and tortilla strips for a good balance of fiber, carbohydrates, and protein, explains Wan Na Chun, MPH, RD, CPT, owner of One Pot Wellness.  Asking for the ranch and Santa Fe sauce on the side can also help you take more control over how much sodium (and fat) you add to the salad.

RELATED: 21 Best Low-Sodium Fast-Food Orders

Olive Garden Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (Lunch-size)

The lunch menu's spaghetti with meat sauce is one of the few lower-sodium options at Olive Garden. Each serving has the pasta and tomato-based meat sauce you love but with only 530 milligrams of sodium, or 23% of the recommended daily value (DV).

Ruby Tuesday Loaded Baked Potato (without bacon)

The Loaded Baked Potato at Ruby Tuesday fits into a low-sodium diet as long as you skip the bacon on top. A baked potato topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, whipped butter, and scallions has just 420 milligrams of sodium and 15 grams of protein.

TGI Fridays Seasoned Fries

French fries can be loaded with sodium, but the seasoned fries at TGI Fridays are surprisingly one of the lowest sodium options at this Franchise. Each side of fries adds only 230 milligrams of sodium, or 10% DV, to your meal.

Friendly's Broccoli

Unfortunately, the only low-sodium food option on the menu at Friendly's is their side of steamed broccoli. This isn't to say you can't make a menu item low-sodium by removing items like dressings, cheese, bacon, and other high-sodium toppings, but as is, steamed broccoli wins as the best choice with just 48 milligrams of sodium.

RELATED: 10 Warning Signs You're Not Eating Enough Fiber

Cheesecake Factory Tossed Green Salad Appetizer

Their tossed green salad has mixed greens, tomato, croutons, and a mix of vegetables like carrots and cucumbers for just 125 milligrams of sodium. You can keep this salad low in sodium by using just a tablespoon of any of their dressings. For the option of using up to two tablespoons of dressing, use a very low sodium option like their Citrus Honey, Cilantro, Caesar, or Balsamic Vinaigrette dressings.

Applebee's Mango Fruit Smoothie

If you're looking for a treat, the Mango Fruit Smoothie at Applebees has zero milligrams of sodium, and plenty of fresh and fruity flavor packed into a 6-ounce blended non-alcoholic drink.

Red Robin Wedgie Burger

While you might think most of the sodium in a burger comes from the burger itself, a lot of it is hiding in the bun. The Wedgie Burger at Red Robin solves this problem by using fresh, crunchy lettuce to wrap the burger and all its toppings, including bacon, tomato, avocado, and onion. Even with bacon and a burger, this meal has just 620 milligrams of sodium, or 27% DV.

PF Chang's Spicy Tuna Roll

Each spicy tuna roll has just 140 milligrams of sodium, meaning you could eat half of the order (8 rolls are included) and still be well within your sodium limits for the day. Just keep in mind that the wasabi and soy sauce are notoriously high in sodium, packing a lot in just a tiny amount. Enjoy your spicy tuna roll with the side of pickled ginger instead, which has a lot of flavor, without the extra sodium.

Red Lobster Roasted Atlantic Salmon

The Today's Catch entree, roasted Atlantic Salmon is a massive piece of salmon, averaging around 14 to 16 ounces. If you opt for grilled, the sodium increases by around 1,000 milligrams, so be sure you ask for roasted, as it has just 330 milligrams per serving.

RELATED: The 9 Healthiest Dishes to Order at Red Lobster

Denny's Berry Vanilla Crepes

Breakfast foods like waffles and pancakes can be surprisingly high in sodium, but two Berry Vanilla Crepes have just 430 milligrams of sodium. This is a great option if you're watching your salt intake but craving a sweet breakfast.

Outback Steakhouse Grilled Salmon with Remoulade

Outback Steakhouse's Grilled Salmon with Remoulade has 540 milligrams of sodium or 23% DV. While this entree does come with two sides, it's hearty enough to stand as a meal itself for most people, with 660 calories and 45 grams of protein. But, if you need a little something extra with it, a side of green beans adds only 5 milligrams of sodium and can help round out the meal.

RELATED: I Tried Every Bloomin' Onion Spin-Off at Outback & the Best One Was Better Than Steak

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Salad

For a starter salad, the Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Salad packs a whole lot of flavor and a decent amount of fat and protein to help fill you up. The 14% DV of sodium likely comes from the balsamic glaze, which adds a huge burst of flavor, really tying this fresh salad together.

Hooters Onion Rings

For a side that won't put you over your sodium limit for the day, try the Onion Rings at Hooters! While they're seasoned, breaded, and fried, each serving has just 430 milligrams of sodium or 19% DV.

Golden Corral Bourbon Street Chicken

The sweet and savory Bourbon Street Chicken has just 350 milligrams of sodium in each 3-ounce portion, not including the rice it's often served with. A baked potato or side of buttered noodles are under 100 milligrams of sodium each if you're looking for a low-sodium side to pair with it!

Texas Roadhouse Grilled BBQ Chicken

The Grilled BBQ Chicken is a half-pound chicken breast, marinated and slathered with BBQ sauce for a ton of flavor and only 20% DV of sodium. This entree also has 46 grams of protein and just 1 gram of saturated fat, making it a filling and overall healthy menu option.

California Pizza Kitchen Wild Mushroom Pizza

"One slice of California Pizza Kitchen's Wild Mushroom Pizza has 380 mg sodium," recommends Lauren O'Connor, MS, RDN, owner of Nutri Savvy Health. While it's low in sodium, it's high in flavor, topped with  Cremini mushrooms, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, Romano & Mozzarella cheese, and scallions. You can even save 120 milligrams of sodium per slice if you choose the cauliflower crust instead of the original, bringing each slice to just 260 milligrams of sodium.

Long John Silvers Grilled Salmon

Not everything at Long John Silvers is fried; the Grilled Salmon is one of many grilled options and one that has the lowest amount of sodium, with just 406 milligrams per piece. The meal does come with two sides, most of which have more sodium than the salmon, although the applesauce and waffle fries are good choices, both with less than 50 milligrams of sodium each.

Carrabba's Italian Grill Tuscan Grilled Chicken

Tuscan Grilled Chicken features a wood-grilled chicken breast that's seasoned with olive oil and herbs, meaning it gets plenty of flavor without plenty of salt. Each serving has just 440 milligrams of sodium or 19% of the recommended daily limit. But keep in mind that the sauteed broccoli that's served on the side has a surprising 550 milligrams of sodium, so you may want to skip or split the portion.

Johnny Rockets Breakfast Potatoes

Johnny Rockets isn't known for having many low-sodium options on the menu, whether it be breakfast or lunch, but the breakfast potatoes come in at a surprising 310 milligrams per serving, making them one of the lowest sodium menu items.

IHOP Pesto Veggie Egg White Omelet With Fruit

Straight from the menu with no alterations, the Pesto Veggie Egg White Omelet is served with fresh fruit and has only 640 milligrams of sodium or 28% of the recommended daily limit. This meal is enough to fill you up and leave you satisfied with its 7 grams of fiber and 21 grams of protein.

RELATED: The 10 Best & Worst Orders at IHOP, According to Nutritionists

LongHorn Steakhouse Longhorn Salmon

A 7-ounce portion of the LongHorn Salmon has plenty of protein, healthy fats, and just 310 milligrams of sodium, or 14% DV. Even without the extra sodium, this dish has plenty of flavor from their signature bourbon marinade.

Cracker Barrel Spicy Grilled Catfish Filet

The Spicy Grilled Catfish Filet is a satisfying high protein low sodium entree at Cracker Barrel. If enjoying this as part of a meal, just be cautious of your sides as they can add up quickly. Great low-sodium side options are whole-kernel corn, applesauce, fried apples, steamed broccoli, steak fries, or seasonal fruit, which all have less than 100 milligrams of sodium each.

RELATED: The 10 Best Cracker Barrel Dishes to Order, According to Dietitians

Waffle House Egg Sandwich

"Go for the plain egg sandwich at Waffle House," says Lisa Andrews, MEd, RD, LD, owner of Sound Bites Nutrition, "the sandwich has just 320 milligrams of sodium and provides a decent dose of protein, with 10 grams." If plain egg on toast doesn't sound appealing, you can add a slice of cheese for a total of 570 milligrams of sodium, which is still only 25% DV.

On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina Grilled Shrimp Skewer

A side of grilled shrimp skewers from On the Border has just 390 milligrams of sodium and plenty of flavor with the cilantro-lime marinade and mesquite grilled flavor. To keep your entire meal low sodium, eat them over a house salad with a splash of olive oil, adding only 190 milligrams of sodium.

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The Hawaiian term "ahi" refers to two types of tuna: bigeye and yellowfin. So, when you see your favorite seafood chain or steakhouse use "ahi" or "yellowfin," just know that both mean the same thing. The word itself has nothing to do with style of preparation or cooking temperature.

Many of the signature seafood chains around the country have ahi tuna on the menu, but there are other places you can find it, too. Steakhouses and even some more casual restaurant chains serve ahi tuna. In short, expect premium-grade tuna at these establishments, prepared in many ways: in a poke bowl, as a tartare, on top of a salad, or as an entrée.

Eddie V's Prime Seafood

Eddie V's Prime Seafood offers three unique ahi tuna dishes. On the appetizer menu, you can try its ahi tuna tartare with avocado, mango, citrus with light curry, and sesame oil. Among its selection of sushi and sashimi, you can order a plate of yellowtail sashimi with cilantro, red chiles, and ponzu. And if you want a full entrée, there's the ahi tuna seared rare with togarashi spice, pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce. The ahi tuna tartare, in particular, was a standout to one customer, who noted on Tripadvisor that it was the "best Ahi Tuna Tartare ever" and was "out of this world."

RELATED: 12 Restaurant Chains That Serve the Best Seafood Towers

Bonefish Grill

The menu at Bonefish Grill features many of the popular ways of preparing and serving ahi tuna, including the tuna poke bowl. It comes served with red onions, peppers, cucumber slices, sesame seeds, and cilantro tossed in a Hawaiian poke sauce over a bed of jasmine rice. To simplify things, opt for an ahi tuna poke with red onions, peppers, cucumbers, and cilantro tossed in a Hawaiian poke sauce.

For more of a crunch, Bonefish Grill offers a tempura crunch sashimi tuna made with sushi-grade tuna seared rare and sliced with sashimi sauce and tempura crumbles. It is served with wasabi, soy sauce, and a sriracha drizzle. One customer went outside their comfort zone and "dared" to try the raw fish and shared on Tripadvisor, "It was amazing. I'm surprised by the perfection of the tuna on a very busy Saturday night."

Yard House

Restaurant chain Yard House has locations across America, serving a menu filled with small bites, salads, sandwiches, and plates. Ahi tuna fans will be pleased to see the fish appear several times on its menu, not only as an appetizer but as multiple entrée options. To start, its blackened ahi sashimi is seared rare and served with a soy vinaigrette, wasabi, and pickled ginger. Another popular appetizer choice is the poke nachos with marinated raw ahi, crispy wontons, avocado, serrano peppers, white truffle sauce, sweet soy ginger sauce, Sriracha aioli, cilantro, green onions, nori, and sesame seeds.

When it's time to move on to the main course, you have choices. Its sesame-crusted ahi tuna is seared rare and served with crispy garlic, sesame seeds, jasmine rice, charred baby broccoli, baby tomatoes, and a creamy ponzu sauce. For an even lighter meal, its ahi tuna crunchy salad comes with ahi tuna that is seared rare and blackened along with field greens, broccoli slaw, crispy wontons, cilantro, and soy vinaigrette.

RELATED: 8 Seafood Chains That Serve the Best Steaks

Chart House

You can certainly order a great steak dinner at Chart House, but that's not necessarily why customers love it. The restaurant's menu is primarily built on a foundation of great seafood options, including its selection of ahi tuna. The seared pepper ahi tuna is served with avocado, cabbage slaw, and a wonton salad. There's also the spiced ahi with furikake rice, wasabi cream, and ginger soy to heat things up. Chart House's ahi tuna is also available on the Dock to Dine portion of the menu, where it can be prepared in a number of different ways.

Legal Sea Foods

Legal Sea Foods has several locations in the Boston area. Tuna aficionados will be pleased to see a few different options on the menu, starting with the nori-chili crusted yellowfin tuna. It comes with sesame and soy roasted broccoli and sesame and cilantro jasmine rice.

From there, you can order a yellowfin tuna steak as your entrée, which can be prepared blackened or grilled with your choice of two sides. The tuna can also be added to any salad as your protein of choice. The tuna steak was a standout to one Tripadvisor reviewer, who noted that it was the "best tuna steak ever," adding, "Been looking for a good tuna steak in Boston for a while. I'll definitely be back."

RELATED: 10 Seafood Chains That Serve the Highest Quality Fish

McCormick & Schmick's

Nutrition information unavailable.

McCormick & Schmick's is known for serving high-quality seafood, which extends to its ahi tuna. Many locations feature the fish as both an appetizer and an entrée. At the San Francisco location in Ghiradelli Square, you can even order a tasty plate of ahi Boom Boom nachos to start your meal. With taro chips as the base, the dish is topped with ahi tuna, mango, jalapeño, avocado, and Boom Boom sauce. Ahi poke also appears in the seafood tower, along with lobster, prawns, oysters, and crabs.

Ocean Prime

Nutrition information unavailable.

For a signature seafood dining experience, head to Ocean Prime. The chain excels at fish- and steak-centric dishes, including ahi tuna. You'll find ahi tuna in a few menu items, like the ahi tuna tartare with avocado, ginger ponzu, and sesame seeds. If you prefer a salad, opt for the ahi tuna salad with mango, avocado, cashews, and a spicy sesame soy glaze.

Ocean Prime is also where you can find a poke bowl made with ahi tuna, salmon, avocado, and Sriracha vinaigrette. One reviewer on Yelp noted that the ahi tuna at Ocean Prime was "spectacular," while another Yelp reviewer added that it "had a perfect sear" and paired wonderfully with the salad.

Truluck's

Nutrition information unavailable.

Seafood chain Truluck's has locations in several states across the U.S., including Texas, Florida, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. You'll find all the usual seafood suspects and yellowfin tuna on the menu. First up is the yellowfin tuna crudo with ponzu, avocado, and Dynamite sauce. Try Truluck's hiramasa ponzu with thinly sliced raw Dutch yellowtail tuna, tamari, citrus, and jalapeño. One satisfied customer noted in a Yelp review that the tuna served at Truluck's was delicious and "cooked perfectly."

RELATED: The #1 Healthiest Order at 8 Major Seafood Restaurants

Seamore's

Nutrition information unavailable.

Seafood chain Seamore's offers two different ahi tuna options on the menu. It has a yellowfin tuna poke with ponzu, avocado, peanut, crispy shallots, and scallions, as well as seared sesame tuna with ginger scallion rice, bok choy, napa cabbage, and honey-kimchi glaze. Both are great lighter options when you are heading out for lunch or dinner and are in the mood for a refreshing bite of ahi.

RELATED: 11 Amazing Benefits of Eating More Fish

Smith & Wollensky

Nutrition information unavailable.

Seafood restaurants are the most likely suspects when looking for ahi tuna, but a small selection of signature steakhouse chains also include the fish on their menus. One of those is Smith and Wollensky, which offers tuna tartare as an appetizer with cucumber salad, avocado mousse, gochujang, and crispy rice crackers. Customers can also order seared yellowfin tuna. It's prepared with nori and gochugaru-crusted and served with cucumber kimchi and coconut fried rice.

Morton's The Steakhouse

Nutrition information unavailable.

Another steakhouse chain that serves high-quality seafood is Morton's The Steakhouse. If you happen to find yourself at one of its locations but aren't really feeling in the mood for a heavy steak dinner, don't fear. You can always order its ahi tuna poke off the menu. Or, to kick things off, if most everyone in your party is a seafood fan, split an Ocean Platter. It includes cold-water lobster tail, jumbo shrimp cocktail, crab cocktail, oysters on the half shell, and ahi tuna poke.

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Despite its remarkable growth, In-N-Out's small and simple menu has barely changed in 76 years. This steadfast commitment to simplicity is central to In-N-Out's ethos, which emphasizes the use of high-quality, fresh ingredients and "handmade" burgers—a dedication that has garnered praise from award-winning chefs, including Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud. Beyond their craveable flavors, In-N-Out burgers' popularity also stems from their affordable prices, thanks to a streamlined menu, the company's ownership of all its locations, and buying their ingredients wholesale.

While everyone knows In-N-Out for its mouthwatering burgers, let's take a closer look at what's going on between the bun from a nutritional perspective. We're here to shed some light on which menu options are better for your body.

Tips for ordering a healthier meal at In-N-Out Burger

Since the menu is basic, it's quite easy to order better options at the chain. Here are three tips for how to order the healthiest choices when at the chain.

• Opt for Protein Style, where the bun is replaced with lettuce.
• Skip the Animal Style options, which means it has mustard in each patty plus pickles, grilled onion, and extra special sauce. More extra special sauce adds too much low-calorie
• Skip the special spread and ask for just ketchup and mustard to shave calories and fat. The special sauce is estimated to contain 80 calories and 9g fat.
• Avoid the not-so-secret menu. The options on this menu tend to be higher in calories, sat fat, sodium and added sugar.

4 Best Burgers

Best: Protein Style Cheeseburger

This core menu item is the regular cheeseburger (1 all-beef patty and 1 slice American Cheese) wrapped in lettuce rather than on a bun. This option makes our best bet due to its modest calories, and better saturated fat and sodium counts compared to other burger choices on the menu.

Best: Protein Style Hamburger with Ketchup and Mustard (No Spread)

This is the best option if you're managing your calories and want to eat a fast-food burger. Even ordering two protein style burgers would be better than many of the other menu items at In-N-Out.

Best: Hamburger with Ketchup and Mustard (No Spread)

This menu item is a great option because it has a modest number of calories, is relatively low in saturated fat and provides 16 grams fiber. The sodium is high but is lower than many other main items on the menu.

Best: Double-Double Protein Style with Ketchup and Mustard (No Spread)

This burger has two patties, two slices of cheese, and lettuce in place of a bun. The sodium is high, but the calories, carbs, and protein are all appropriate amounts.

Worst Burgers

Worst: 4×4 ('Quad Quad') Animal-Style

(Nutritional information is estimated from online sources.)

Also called the Quad Quad, this not-so-secret menu option is as its name suggests: four all-beef patties, four slices of American cheese, and all the standard condiments on a fresh-baked bun. Think of it as a double Double-Double. While the nutritionals are not readily available from In-N-Out, our best estimates show how horrific this option is for your health. It packs in more than half the calories you need in a day, more than a day's worth of saturated fat, all the sodium you should have in a day, and an excessive amount of protein that can be harmful to your kidneys.

RELATED: The #1 Unhealthiest Burger at Every Major Fast-Food Chain

Worst: Double-Double with Spread

This burger is a mainstay on the regular In-N-Out menu and it's one to avoid. It packs in excessive saturated fat and sodium. The saturated fat is the same as you'd get from eating 3 tablespoons of butter and the sodium would be equal to what you'd get from two servings of canned soup!

3×3 ('Triple Triple') with Spread

(Nutritional information is estimated from online sources.)

This is an option on the not-so-secret menu that includes three beef patties and three slices of American cheese on a bun with all the standard condiments. This heart-stopping burger has about 1.5 times the saturated fat you need in a day, half most adult's daily calories, and nearly all the sodium you should have in a day.

Worst: Cheeseburger with Spread

This burger is considered the best of the worst. It has moderate calories and saturated fat but sodium is quite high. Tweak this choice by skipping the spread and have ketchup and mustard and you'll shave some calories and sodium. For a bigger transformation, order a protein-style cheeseburger.

RELATED: How Many Calories Are In A Cheeseburger?

Best Sides and Shakes

Best: French Fries

The French fries on In-N-Out's menu are better than those from many other chains. They use 100% sunflower oil, which is a highly unsaturated fat. This helps keep the saturated fat content of their fries lower than the fries at other national chains.

Best: Vanilla Shake

Even though this shake is the "healthiest" milkshake option, it's not a recommended menu item. However, if you are going to order a shake, vanilla is marginally better than either the chocolate or strawberry options. The best bets for beverages on the menu include unsweetened tea, water, or a diet soda.

Worst Sides and Shakes

Worst: Animal Style Fries

This not-so-secret option is a larger order of fries topped with melted cheese, In-N-Out spread and grilled onions. It exceeds the calories, fat, saturated fat, sodium, and carbs that you'd want to have in an entire meal.

Worst: Chocolate Shake

This is by far one of the worst In-N-Out menu items, based on calories, saturated fat, and added sugar. This shake packs in just over 15 teaspoons of added sugar and nearly a day's worth of artery-clogging saturated fat.

RELATED: The 9 Worst Fast-Food Milkshakes of All Time, Says Dietitian

Worst: Strawberry Shake

Like the chocolate shake, the strawberry shake has all the same nutritional flaws: excessive calories, saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar. The vanilla shake is only modestly better than the strawberry or chocolate flavors.

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The purpose of snacking is to satisfy your hunger in between meals, giving your body a nutrient-dense pick-me-up during the morning or afternoon hours. Eating protein-heavy snacks can reduce hunger levels and appetite, and those that are heavy on fiber can fill you up by slowing down the rate of digestion. When you opt for snack items that don't come with enough fiber or protein, more often than not,  you're left hungry and unsatisfied, which not only defeats the purpose of snacking in the first place but can also ultimately trigger overeating. In addition to lacking fiber and protein, many unhealthy snacks may also contain lots of sodium and added sugars, which we all know can be a disservice to your body, especially when consumed in excess. But what are some of the unhealthiest snacks you'd commonly find at the grocery store and are better off avoiding?

Ensuring your snack breaks leave you satisfied and with a full, happy belly means also knowing how to identify and weed out the unhealthiest ones that you'll want to limit if not completely avoid. Read on to find out which unhealthy snacks we believe aren't worth your time or digestive energy—then, for some healthier snack inspiration, check out 50 Healthiest Weight Loss Snacks on Grocery Shelves.

Cheetos Flamin' Hot Tangy Chili Fusion

In looking at the nutrition information, these Cheetos Flamin' Hot Tangy Chili Fusion snacks may not seem all that bad at first, but after a closer look at their ingredients list, you'll see that this cheesy snack uses Red 40 Lake and Yellow 5 Lake, two dyes that were mentioned previously as having adverse health outcomes linked to them.

Not to mention that even without these artificial colorings, you're still consuming a snack that has barely any fiber or protein, which we know by now just won't cut it when it comes to finding a satiating, filling snack.

Ritz Bits Cheese Sandwich Crackers

"These little sandwich snacks barely contain any protein and are lacking fiber," says Lisa Young, Ph.D., RDN, author of Finally Full, Finally Slim and member of our Medical Expert Board. "This makes it a very low-protein and low-fiber snack while being high in fat." In other words, it won't fill you up or leave you genuinely satisfied.

RELATED: 16 Healthy Store-Bought Crackers, According to Dietitians

Snyder's Hot Buffalo Wing Pretzel Pieces

If you're craving a salty pretzel snack, you may want to steer clear of Snyder's Hot Buffalo Wing Pretzel Pieces. "Choosing this snack would be the opposite of choosing a nutrient-dense one," says Young. "These are very low in protein and fiber, which helps to keep you full and satiated for longer periods. Moreover, these pretzel bites are also relatively high in fat, with 3 grams being from the saturated kind."

Kellogg's Frosted Strawberry Poptarts

"Pop-Tarts have been around for a while and are a popular breakfast choice for individuals who are short on time," says Young. "However, this is one of the worst snack choices you can make in terms of your health." Not only is this snack high in sodium and low in fiber and protein, but Young adds that "Kellogg's Pop-Tarts contain ultra-processed ingredients such as soybean oil and refined flour, and contain three different types of sugar: refined white sugar, corn syrup, and high-fructose corn syrup."

Doritos Nacho Cheese

A classic favorite among many, Doritos Nachos Cheese chips are better eaten in moderation, as they'll fill you up on sodium and little to no nutrients at all. "Doritos are typically high in calories, fat, and sodium, and the Nacho Cheese flavor specifically contains artificial flavors and preservatives," says Mary Sabat MS, RDN, LD.

Fritos Chili Cheese Corn Chips

You guessed it, only 2 grams of protein and 1 gram of fiber puts this snack on our list of unhealthy, non-filling snacks. Beyond just the lack of nutrients, Fritos Chili Cheese Corn Chips also lists maltodextrin as one of its first few ingredients. This additive can be found in many ultra-processed foods and has been linked to negatively altering your gut microbiome.

RELATED: 9 Healthiest Snacks You Can Buy at Costco Right Now

Gushers

Although Gushers will quickly satisfy a sweet tooth, this nostalgic treat has 10 grams of added sugar and zero grams of fiber or protein, meaning it won't fill you up in the slightest.

This snack food also uses artificial dyes like Red 40, Blue 1, and Yellow 5 & 6. These dyes have been linked to neurobehavioral complications in children, and long-term consumption of Red 40 has recently been linked to ulcerative colitis—chronic inflammation of the colon. In other words, it's best to stay away from these artificial dyes when you can.

Little Debbie Double Decker Oatmeal Creme Pies

Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies are already infamous for being a delicious snack loaded with sugar, but their "Double Decker" Oatmeal Creme Pies are even worse. Loaded with a massive 40 grams of added sugar and only 2 grams of fiber to help slow digestion, this snack can quickly spike your blood sugar and leave you still feeling hungry.

Another thing to consider with this handheld sweet treat is that it's fairly high in saturated fat at 9 grams per serving. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends limiting your consumption to around 13 grams for better heart health, but snacks like these get you close to your limit without factoring in the rest of the food you'll eat during the day.

Hot Pockets

"Hot Pockets are convenient, but [they] typically contain processed meats, refined grains, high levels of sodium, and unhealthy fats," says Sabat.

Even though these items are often enjoyed as a midday snack, they are loaded with saturated fat and 660 milligrams of sodium, which is almost 30% of your recommended sodium limit for an entire day.

Hostess Twinkies

No one should be surprised to see Twinkies on our list, as these sugar bombs are a notoriously unhealthy snack choice.

"Twinkies contain partially hydrogenated oils, which are a source of trans fats, and they lack nutritional value," says Sabat.

These processed cakes also come with a whopping 32 grams of added sugar and absolutely no fiber to help slow down your body's absorption of the sugar. This can cause spikes in your blood sugar, and the lack of protein will leave you feeling hungry and craving more.

Little Debbie Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

As we mentioned previously, snacks that are lacking in fiber and protein won't keep you feeling satisfied until your next meal, and these Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins from Little Debbie are the perfect example of this. Of course, this sweet treat will taste delicious, but you'll still feel hungry after snacking on it.

RELATED: 5 Healthiest Muffins at the Grocery Store—and 6 To Avoid

Lay's Sour Cream & Onion Chips

Another tempting snack to munch on for those who love a savory midafternoon break, but these Lay's Sour Cream & Onion Chips just won't do the job of providing a healthy snack. With only 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein, you'll be left wanting more every time.

RELATED: The Unhealthiest Chips, According to Dietitians

Grandma's Chocolate Brownie Cookies

A classic vending machine snack that many of us remember from childhood, Grandma's Chocolate Brownie Cookies provide a hefty amount of calories and added sugar. Another tricky characteristic of this snack is that a serving size is only one cookie but each package comes with two, making it significantly harder to stick to a serving.

Entenmenn's Plain Glazed Donut Holes

If you prefer a sweet snack over savory, you may love the sound of a few donut holes to satisfy the sugar cravings. When the sweet tooth hits, however, we suggest steering clear of snacks like Entenmenn's Plain Glazed Donut Holes. In just one serving of four donut holes you're getting 18 grams of sugar and zero grams of fiber, so this snack is likely to spike your blood sugar. It also doesn't contain enough fiber or protein to help it stick, so you'll be left just as hungry as before.

Snack Pack Chocolate Vanilla Pudding

"The Snack Pack Pudding is definitely a snack to leave in the grocery store and avoid bringing home, as it contains a plethora of unclean and highly processed ingredients," says Young. "This item is also a very low-protein, low-fiber, and high-sugar snack, and foods that don't have a lot of protein or fiber contribute to hunger, as they don't contain many—if any nutrients at all." Young also adds that "this pudding snack contains processed oils such as palm oil, which is 50% saturated fat."

Nutella

Most everyone loves a spoonful (or three) of Nutella, but this is considered one of the most unhealthy snacks due to its extremely high sugar content in such a small serving size. "This chocolate hazelnut spread is made mostly with sugar and palm oil, which is extremely processed," says Young. "A one-tablespoon serving of Nutella is about 21 grams of sugar, and the protein and fiber content is very low, which is the opposite of a fulfilling snack." The problem with Nutella is that because it's tasty yet devoid of significant nutritional value is because it's difficult to limit yourself to a serving size—before long, the whole jar is gone.

Oreos

"Each Oreo cookie contains a significant amount of refined sugar, contributing to potential health issues such as weight gain, diabetes, and tooth decay," says Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD at Balance One Supplements. "Additionally, Oreos are made with partially hydrogenated oils, which are a source of trans fats known to increase the risk of heart disease, and high-fructose corn syrup, an artificial sweetener that has been linked to various health problems when consumed in excess."

Cheetos

Another popular snack to be wary of is classic Cheetos Puffs, an item full of cheesy flavor—yet incredibly low in fiber and protein.

"Cheetos are considered one of the most unhealthy snacks primarily due to their unhealthy fats, sodium, and artificial additives," says Best. Unfortunately, regularly eating snacks high in sodium can elevate your daily sodium intake, which in turn can lead to "increased blood pressure and increased risk of heart problems," she adds.

Chips Ahoy! Original Chocolate Chip Cookies

A classic chocolate chip cookie is certainly a comforting snack, but you're better off ditching this sugary item that will ultimately leave you feeling hungrier and with more cravings.

"Chips Ahoy! Chocolate Chip Cookies are considered an unhealthy snack, largely due to their high sugar and unhealthy fat content, as well as their ingredient list, which includes partially hydrogenated oils—a source of trans fats," says Best. "Ultimately, consuming these cookies in moderation is recommended to minimize the negative health effects associated with their ingredients."

Crunchy Cheetos

Similar to the puffy kind, Cheetos Crunchy Cheese-Flavored Snacks also make the list of unhealthy snacks because they're high in sodium and very low in fiber and protein.

"They're also high in calories and artificial additives, which have been associated with adverse health effects," adds Sabat. For instance, they contain Yellow Dye 6, which has been found to potentially contain cancer-causing contaminants.

Lay's Classic Potato Chips

When you're craving a salty snack, there's nothing like opening a fresh bag of Lay's Classic Potato Chips. Unfortunately, these may not be your best choice, as only 15 chips will give you 10 grams of fat, no fiber, and hardly any protein.

"These chips are also loaded with sodium, which can contribute to high blood pressure and other health issues when consumed in excess," says Sabat.

RELATED: 6 Healthiest Potato Chips—and 4 To Avoid, According to Dietitians

Hostess HoHos

These nostalgic chocolate cake treats provide the same complications as the Little Debbie snacks. Hostess HoHos have 40 grams of sugar per serving with hardly any fiber or protein to back them up, as well as your daily limit of saturated fat in one snack.

Hostess Apple Pie

You can probably spot the pattern by now: ultra-processed sweet treats like the ones from Little Debbie or Hostess are more often than not going to be considered "unhealthy snacks" because of their high added sugar content and low levels of protein and fiber. Snacks like these Hostess Apple Pie fit the bill and won't satisfy your hunger and cravings in the way a healthy, nutrient-dense snack can.

RELATED: 10 Unhealthiest Store-Bought Cookie Doughs To Avoid

Lay's Barbecue Potato Chips

If you're a fan of the Barbecue flavor of Lay's potato chips, be warned that although this snack is delicious, it won't do anything for your health goals. For a small serving size of only 15 chips, it still packs in 150 calories, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, and 150 milligrams of sodium. With a tiny amount of fiber and protein, it definitely won't leave you feeling satisfied, meaning you'll either eat far beyond the portion size or grab an additional snack anyway.

Keebler E.L. Fudge Elfwich

Whether it's crackers or sweet treats, the Keebler elves are known for delivering delicious snacks. However, these elves won't help you in terms of nutrition, especially with the E.L. Fudge Elfwiches. At first glance, the nutrition facts may not seem all that terrible, but the serving size only includes two small cookies, and how can that possibly be a satisfying snack? Most people will end up eating a few serving sizes of this snack, which will cause them to rack up their added sugar, saturated fat, and sodium content.

Orville Redenbacher's Pour Over Movie Theater Butter Popcorn

Popcorn is an obvious choice for movie night snacks, especially the microwavable kind that can be ready in seconds. However, some options are worse than others when it comes to nutritional value (or lack thereof), and Orville Redenbacher's Pour Over Movie Theater Butter is one of the worst. Popcorn has the potential to be a healthy snack, but this particular item comes packed with 330 milligrams of sodium and 4.5 grams of saturated fat, leaving you no wiggle room to overindulge.

RELATED: 11 Healthiest Microwave Popcorn Brands—and 7 You Should Avoid

Clif Bar Chocolate Brownie

The tricky thing about Clif Bars is that they're advertised as protein bars you can eat as a snack, but since they're loaded up with sugar, they're really only helpful if you're going to have an intense workout. But if you're just looking for a protein-heavy snack for your midday work break, you'll want to choose something much lower in sugar and sodium.

RELATED: 10 Unhealthiest Protein Bars To Avoid

Starburst Gummies

Those in the mood for a sweet snack they can pop in their mouth may be tempted by Starburst Gummies, but with a teeny tiny serving size of only 7 pieces, you're still loading your body up with 18 grams of sugar and only a single gram of protein, meaning you'll be hungrier and have even more cravings than when before you started.

Nutrigrain Strawberry

Nutrigrain Bars can be a bit of a disappointment because they're often marketed as a tasty granola bar you can enjoy as a snack. But with 12 grams of sugar, along with only one gram of fiber and two grams of protein, nothing about this bar will leave you feeling satiated, not to mention the epic novel-length ingredient list, which includes preservatives, corn syrup, and other additives.

Little Debbie Nutty Buddy Snack Bar

We had to throw one Little Debbie snack on this list, although most of their items could certainly be placed under the label of unhealthy snacks. The Nutty Buddy bars come with a whopping 9 grams of saturated fat and 22 grams of sugar, and even though these bars are filed under "snack bars" on the Little Debbie website, these nutrition facts scream nothing but a glorified dessert on the go.

This story has been updated since its original publish date to include additional entries and remove outdated information.

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The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends limiting your added sugar intake to no more than 6% of your total calories each day. That works out to about 25 grams for women and 36 grams for men. Eating a diet high in added sugar can contribute to a higher risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and other chronic illnesses.

So if you're going the extra mile and ordering a salad instead of a cheeseburger and fries at your favorite fast-food chain, you'll also want to make sure the bowl of greens you're choosing isn't riddled with sugar. Check out the highest-sugar salads on restaurant menus below, and order these 10 Best Restaurant Salads to Order, According to Dietitians instead.

Chopt Crispy Chicken Ranch

With 10 grams of sugar, this Chopt salad isn't the worst option on this list. Most of the sugars come from the fresh produce, including the corn, carrots, grape tomatoes, and pickled red onion. Just watch out for the dressing you choose to pair with this crispy chicken bowl – some of the higher-sugar options include most of the vinegar-based dressings and the vinaigrettes (like the Balsamic Vinegar, the Sweet and Smoky Chipotle Vinaigrette and the White Balsamic Vinaigrette). To keep your salad less sweet, opt for the Mexican Goddess or Chopt Vinaigrette, which both have zero grams of sugar.

RELATED: 10 Unhealthiest Salad Dressings on Grocery Shelves

Culver's Bacon Bleu Salad With Vinaigrette

Culver's packs its salad with grilled chicken, bacon bits, and bleu cheese crumbles, but the sugar comes from what they call a "generous helping" of dried cranberries. While dried cranberries serve up antioxidants, they're also high in sugar because manufacturers add sugar to help mask the berry's naturally tart flavor and increase palatability. Fresh fruit is always a better bet because it's less calorie-dense and contains less sugar per calorie.

Sweetgreen Garden Cobb

America's favorite salad chain serves up a commendable selection of fresh, delicious, and locally sourced ingredients. That doesn't necessarily mean that all their salads will align with your personal health goals. Sweetgreen's twist on the classic Cobb salad contains 14 grams of sugar, which is more than half of your daily value. However, it admirably contains more fiber than sugar — and we love to see that because fiber works to steady your blood glucose levels. That means your blood sugar is less likely to spike and then crash, leading to energy dips and cravings later in the day.

RELATED: 9 Restaurant Chains That Serve the Best Chopped Salads

Sweetgreen Harvest Bowl

Sweetgreen's harvest bowl is studded with roasted sweet potatoes, apples, goat cheese, roasted almonds, and wild rice, and basically screams "fall." While it doesn't have quite as much sugar as a PSL, 15 grams is still pretty high, contributing more than half of your daily value. The balsamic vinaigrette dressing alone contributes 3 grams of sugar, so try swapping it out for the Caesar dressing or the Lime Cilantro Jalapeño Vinaigrette, which are both free of sugar.

Wendy's Taco Salad

If your goal is to make taco Tuesdays a bit healthier, this Wendy's salad isn't the best bet. It's made with romaine lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, tortilla chips, and the chain's hearty chili. Let's zoom in on the chili: The second ingredient in it is sugar, which contributes to most of the 16 total grams in the entire bowl. But we do like that this salad is high in fiber, providing 12 grams (which is about half of your recommended daily value) to help stabilize blood sugar levels and keep cravings at bay.

Sweetgreen Super Green Goddess Salad

Most of the sugar in this salad comes from the diced apples, a natural and nutrient-dense source of the sweet stuff. So while this salad is higher in sugar than other options at Sweetgreen, it also helps you hit your daily fruit goal with a healthy serving of fresh apples. Plus, this Sweetgreen salad contains a respectable 15 grams of fiber.

Wendy's Apple Pecan Salad

Just like Sweetgreen's Super Green Goddess salad, this pick is packed with apples, a source of natural sugar. However, this Wendy's salad also contains dried cranberries, sugar-coated roasted pecans, and a syrupy pomegranate vinaigrette dressing that contributes unnecessary added sugars to your meal. You can easily improve this salad's nutritional profile by doing without either the pecans or cranberries and skipping the vinaigrette.

RELATED: 10 Unhealthiest Wendy's Orders, According to Dietitians

Panera Fuji Apple Salad With Chicken

You'd be surprised to find out that most of the sugar in Panera's Fuji Apple Salad doesn't come from the apples. In fact, the popular salad and sandwich chain uses no-added-sugar apple chips in this bowl of greens for subtle sweetness and a whole lotta crunch. The majority of the added sugar comes from the white balsamic vinaigrette dressing, so swapping that sauce out can save you loads of added sugar.

Chick-fil-A Market Salad

This Chick-fil-A salad contains as much sugar as a Snickers bar. Sure, it's brimming with fresh fruit including red and green apples, strawberries and blueberries but it also comes with the chain's Harvest Nut Granola. And while we're intrigued by the idea of adding granola to salad for crunch, this unnecessary topping contributes added sugars, so you're better off skipping it.

Subway Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki Salad

Subway lets you turn your favorite sub into a salad by piling the sandwich's toppings onto a bed of greens. Subway's Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki Chicken is one of those classic, always-good choices, but it's also swimming in sugar. So much so that this salad contains a staggering 31 grams of sugar — that's more than a full cup of vanilla ice cream. Instead of going for the sweet teriyaki-slathered chicken, top your salad with a lean protein, such as grilled chicken or roasted turkey breast.

RELATED: The 15 Unhealthiest Yogurts—Ranked by Sugar Content

Chopt Sweet Apple Orchard Salad

Who would've thought that ordering a fresh salad for lunch could put you over your maximum sugar quota for the day? Chopt Sweet Apple Orchard Salad dumps an entire serving of sweetened cranberries onto its salad — and it turns out that the cranberries alone contribute a whopping 31 grams of added sugar. Skip the cranberries and add a serving of grilled chicken to this salad, and you've got yourself a pretty healthy lunch that'll hold you over without giving you the equivalent of 1.5 cups of ice cream's worth of sugar.

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But what makes a chili recipe good for weight loss? Healthy chili recipes should contain a high protein and fiber content while being low in calories. This nutrient trifecta is key to helping you lose weight: protein increases satiety and builds lean muscle mass, fiber improves gut health (which has been linked to better weight management), and low-calorie meals can help you reach a calorie deficit.

To help you find your new favorite chili for weight loss, we curated a collection of 25 recipes that tick off these crucial boxes. From classic renditions to bold and innovative twists, each chili recipe promises both flavor and nutrition. Read on, then check out the 17 Best Soups for Weight Loss.

Turkey Chili

You can still have a perfectly healthy bowl of chili with ground beef, but using turkey instead—like in this simple Turkey Chili recipe—helps you keep the protein levels high while significantly lowering the calorie and fat content.

Get our recipe for Turkey Chili.

RELATED: 10 Best & Worst Canned Chilis, According to Dietitians

Smokey Crock-Pot Chili

We love how much flavor this Smoky Crock-Pot Chili packs into one meal, using ingredients like chuck roast or sirloin, onions, garlic, chipotle peppers, cumin, pinto beans, and your choice of an IPA or stout beer. Even though it's packed full of tasty ingredients, each serving has only 250 calories and tons of protein to keep you feeling full.

Get our recipe for Smoky Crock-Pot Chili.

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chicken Chili

You don't have to wait until fall hits again to enjoy this Pumpkin Chicken Chili. Made with canned pumpkin, boneless chicken thighs, chickpeas, and plenty of vegetables, this chili packs in 28 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber per serving.

Get our recipe for Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chicken Chili.

Easy Chili and DIY Chili Powder

You feel too intimidated to imagine making your own chili powder, but fear not! This recipe is super simple and tastes so good you'll never want to go back to the store-bought bottles. Add the homemade powder to nutritious ingredients like pinto beans, chuck roast, onions, tomatoes, and peppers, and you'll have a tasty bowl of chili to help you in your weight loss goals.

Get our recipe for Easy Chili and DIY Chili Powder.

RELATED: 17 Best Soup Recipes For Weight Loss

Crock-Pot Vegetarian Chili

If you want a vegetarian chili option that has no meat but still plenty of protein, this recipe is a great choice. With ingredients like black beans, kidney beans, corn, and sweet potatoes, you'll also get a boost of filling fiber, too.

Get our recipe for Crock-Pot Vegetarian Chili.

Copycat Wendy's Chili

If you're a lover of Wendy's Chili but want to avoid the almost 1,000 milligrams of sodium or a long list of preservatives, or you just don't want to leave the house, you can make your own copycat version with this recipe!

Get our recipe for Copycat Wendy's Chili.

Instant Pot Chili

This is a classic chili recipe made in an instant pot, so you can save yourself time and energy while making a nutrient-dense meal that can fit your weight loss goals. It calls for ground beef, but you can make it vegetarian by replacing the beef with kidney or pinto beans.

Get our recipe for Instant Pot Chili.

RELATED: 45+ Best Cozy Casserole Recipes for Weight Loss

Pumpkin Mole Chili

This chili has the classic mole flavors you love but with a pumpkin twist! Using cocoa powder, green chiles, canned pumpkin, pinto or black beans, tomatoes, and ground beef, you'll have a hearty bowl of filling chili packed with unique flavors.

Get our recipe for Pumpkin Mole Chili.

Jalapeño Sweet Potato Chicken Chili

With 30 grams of protein, 9 grams of fiber, and only 337 calories in each serving, this bowl of chili is the perfect weight-loss recipe. The use of sweet potatoes, beans, tomatoes, chili powder, and jalapeños gives every bite a punch of flavor.

Get the recipe from Pinch of Yum.

Slow Cooker Chicken Chile Verde

If you're a fan of salsa verde, this recipe is for you. Made with your salsa verde favorites like poblano peppers, jalapeños, diced chili peppers, and cilantro, this bowl of chili will satisfy your cravings and have you coming back for more. And the even better news? It has only 300 calories but is packed with over 30 grams of protein in every serving.

Get the recipe from Ambitious Kitchen. 

The Best Healthy Turkey Chili

This healthy turkey chili recipe from Ambitious Kitchen includes lots of veggies—including red bell pepper, corn, onion, and crushed tomatoes. And you get tons of protein from 99% lean ground turkey and kidney beans.

Get the recipe from Ambitious Kitchen.

Sweet Potato Chili

Looking for a yummy vegetarian chili recipe? Make this one from Chocolate Covered Katie, which calls for sweet potatoes, zucchini, tomatoes, onions, and black beans. The best part? It cooks in just 20 minutes.

Get the recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie.

Easy Homemade Beef Chili

You can still make chili with ground beef and achieve your weight loss goals. This one from Healthy Fitness Meals calls for lean ground beef and gets tons of flavor from chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Plus it has extra veggies with two bell peppers.

Get the recipe from Healthy Fitness Meals.

RELATED: 15 Best Low-Sodium Canned Soups

White Chicken Chili

Not all chilis have to be tomato-based. This white chicken chili from Well Plated by Erin calls for chicken breast and white beans (such as Great Northern, cannellini, or white kidney beans) will give you lots of protein and fiber to keep you full.

Get the recipe from Well Plated by Erin.

Low-Calorie, Almost Fat-Free Vegetable Chili

If you are watching your calorie and fat intake, this low-calorie vegetable chili recipe from The Spruce Eats is also almost fat-free. It has red bell pepper, green bell pepper, corn, carrot, and kidney beans, with a bit of soy sauce for extra umami flavor.

Get the recipe from The Spruce Eats.

Butternut Squash Turkey Chili

Fall is the season for butternut squash, so it's a great ingredient that is the center of this healthy chili from Chew Out Loud. Together with bell peppers, turkey, 7 cloves of garlic (you read that right!), black beans, and more, it's the perfect dish for a chilly autumn night.

Get the recipe from Chew Out Loud.

RELATED: 23 Easy Weight-Loss Meal Prep Recipes

Sweet Potato Turkey Chili

This sweet potato chili gets inspiration from Mexican flavors, with ingredients like black beans, corn, sweet potatoes, and lots of spices. The most surprising? Cinnamon!

Get the recipe from Evolving Table.

Healthy Spicy Beef and Black Bean Chili

If prepared as instructed, this beef chili only has 298 calories per serving. Made by The Girl Who Ate Everything, it calls for ground sirloin or beef, a packet of taco seasoning (easy!), black beans, and corn.

Get the recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything.

Homemade Vegetarian Chili

This veggie and bean chili recipe by Cookie + Kate is full of flavor. It has two kinds of beans (pinto and black), as well as loads of veggies like celery, carrots, red onion, and red bell pepper. And it gets a tangy kick at the end thanks to sherry vinegar (or lime juice).

Get the recipe from Cookie and Kate.

Healthy Buffalo Chicken White Chili

If you need a buffalo chicken fix, you can get it in this bowl of chili from Delicious on a Dime. With ingredients like celery, onion, Frank's Red Hot Sauce, and a homemade ranch dressing addition, your tastebuds will be totally satisfied.

Get the recipe from Delicious on a Dime.

RELATED: 21 Best Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes for Weight Loss

Vegan Black Bean Chili

Short on time? This healthy vegan chili from Midwest Foodie takes just 15 minutes to make. It has black beans and split red lentils, which are known to cook quickly.

Get the recipe from Midwest Foodie.

Butternut Squash Chili with Beef and Beans

Craving a non-traditional beef chili? This beef and butternut chili from Julia's Album also contains corn, green bell peppers, kidney beans, and canned tomatoes.

Get the recipe from Julia's Album.

Healthy White Bean Chicken Chili

This low-sodium chicken broth-based white bean chicken chili has lots of cannellini beans, corn, and green chiles. Created by Eating Bird Food, you can make it spicier by adding fresh jalapeno slices and extra chili powder.

Get the recipe from Eating Bird Food.

RELATED: 12 Best & Worst Canned Soups

Easy Three Bean Vegan Chili

This easy three-bean chili recipe from The Simple Veganista is vegan and loaded with fiber from kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans. It also gets a deeper flavor from cocoa powder (yes, the same thing in chocolate!) and chipotle powder.

Get the recipe from The Simple Veganista.

Ground Chicken Chili

This chili recipe from This Healthy Table calls for ground chicken. Rather than being a white chicken chili, it has a tomato base—as well as two types of beans (black and pinto).

Get the recipe from This Healthy Table.

This story has been updated since its original publish date to include additional entries and remove outdated information

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The post 25 Healthy Chili Recipes for Weight Loss appeared first on Eat This Not That.