Decoding the Calories and Nutrition in Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausages

As a busy person who loves convenient foods, Hillshire Farm smoked sausages have been a go-to for quick, tasty protein in my household Whether enjoyed in a breakfast sandwich or paired with veggies for dinner, these smoked sausages deliver big flavor with little prep required

However as someone who aims to eat healthy I also want to pay attention to what’s actually in these convenient sausages. This led me to take a deeper look into the nutrition facts, especially the calories, to see how they stack up.

An Overview of Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausages

For those unfamiliar with the product line, Hillshire Farm offers various smoked sausage varieties including beef, turkey, chicken, and traditional pork. They come fully cooked so they can be quickly heated and eaten.

The sausages contain a blend of meat, spices, and other ingredients encased in a collagen casing. Popular flavors include Traditional, Beef & Cheese, and Chicken Apple.

This iconic brand offers a quick protein boost with nostalgic, crave-worthy flavor But how does the nutrition measure up?

Calorie Count at a Glance

Checking two reputable sources – Hillshire Farm’s website and HEB’s grocery site – I found the calorie count for a Hillshire Farm smoked sausage contains about 190 calories per 56g serving.

Here’s an overview of the key calorie stats:

• 190 calories
• 14g of fat
• 2g carbohydrates
• 7g of protein

At first look, 190 calories seems pretty reasonable for a 2 ounce meat sausage. But let’s look closer at the full nutrition panel.

Evaluating the Complete Nutrition Facts

Here are the key nutrition facts and % daily values based on a 2000 calorie diet:

• Total Fat 14g, 18% DV – Primarily comes from the meat.

• Saturated Fat 4.5g, 23% DV – About a quarter of recommended daily limits.

• Sodium 480mg, 20% DV – Like most processed meats, sodium content is higher.

• Carbohydrates 3g, 1% DV

• Fiber 1g, 4% DV

• Protein 7g

• Cholesterol 35mg, 12% DV

In addition to calories and fat, the sodium content is elevated in these smoked sausages compared to fresh meat.

Putting Calorie Count in Context

To better understand 190 calories:

• It’s 10% of a standard 2000 calorie diet for a pretty small 2 ounce serving. The small serving size contributes a sizable portion of calories.

• To burn 190 calories, you’d need to walk for about 35 minutes according to CalorieKing’s calculator.

• The calorie count is similar to other smoked sausages like Beef Summer Sausage (180 calories per 2 oz).

So while not extremely high in calories, smoked sausages are very calorie-dense in small servings. The fat and sodium content is also worth noting.

Tips for Lightening up Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausages

If you love the flavor of Hillshire Farm smoked sausages but want to lighten them up, here are some tips:

• Choose the turkey or chicken varieties to slash fat and calories compared to beef and pork.

• Enjoy a single link instead of multiple to cut the total calories in half.

• Bulk up the meal with lots of veggies like onions, peppers, broccoli.

• Opt for grilling or pan frying instead of fattier cooking methods.

• Skip any high-fat, high-calorie sauces and let the bold sausage flavor shine.

• Pair your sausage with a light side like a green salad instead of mac and cheese.

• Slice sausage thin and use it as a pizza topping instead of eating multiple links.

With smart portion sizes and cooking methods, you can satisfy your smoked sausage cravings while still maintaining healthy nutrition goals.

The Verdict on Calories and Nutrition

When enjoyed responsibly as part of an overall healthy diet, Hillshire Farm smoked sausages can absolutely be part of a nutritious lifestyle. While the calorie, fat, and sodium content are higher than fresh meat, the sausages remain a quick and convenient protein source.

Choosing lower calorie varieties like turkey or chicken can help lessen the impact. Coupling sausages with vegetable sides instead of high-calorie pairings is another good strategy. And practicing proper portion control is key.

So next time you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner or meal on-the-go, Hillshire Farm smoked sausages can fit the bill. Just be mindful of calories, sodium, and how they fit into your daily nutrition goals. With some smart modifications, you can still enjoy the quick flavor they provide!