Decoding the Calories in Costco’s Popular Pineapple Sausage Links

Sausage is a flavorful staple at breakfast time, but many varieties come packed with calories fat and sodium. Costco’s pineapple sausage links offer a fresh, fruity twist on traditional pork sausages. But are they truly a healthier alternative when it comes to calories and nutrition?

In this article we’ll break down the calorie count and ingredients list of Costco’s pineapple sausage links. Read on to learn if these tropical-inspired sausages deserve a spot in your regular breakfast rotation.

Nutrition Facts: Pineapple Sausage by Evergood

Costco’s pineapple sausage links are sold in packs of three one-pound packages. The sausages are manufactured by Evergood Fine Foods, a sausage and deli meat producer based in Vernon, California.

Here is the nutrition information for a single pineapple sausage link (92 grams) according to the Evergood website:

• Calories: 250
• Total Fat: 19g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
• Cholesterol: 40mg
• Sodium: 730mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 8g
  • Sugar: 7g
• Protein: 11g

Each 92 gram sausage contains approximately 28% of the recommended daily value for total fat. Saturated fat makes up over one-third of the total fat content.

The carbohydrate content is fairly low at only 8 grams per link. However, 7 of those grams come from sugar. The primary source of the sugar is likely the pineapple juice concentrate used to flavor the sausage.

Sodium is quite high at 32% of the recommended daily upper limit. Each sausage link contains 730 mg of sodium.

How Do Pineapple Sausages Compare to Pork Sausage?

To determine if pineapple sausage is truly a healthier choice, let’s compare it to a typical pork breakfast sausage:

• Pork breakfast sausage (85 grams)
  • Calories: 280
  • Total Fat: 24g
  • Sodium: 580mg

The pork sausage contains a similar amount of calories at 280 per 85 gram link, compared to 250 calories in the pineapple sausage.

However, the overall fat content of the pork sausage is higher. Each pork link provides 24 grams of total fat, accounting for 34% of the recommended daily value. The pineapple sausage has 19 grams of total fat per 92 gram link.

Sodium levels are also higher in regular pork sausage at 580 mg versus 730 mg per pineapple link.

So in terms of calories, fat and sodium, the pineapple sausage appears to have a slightly better nutrition profile compared to traditional pork breakfast sausage.

What Ingredients Are in Pineapple Sausage?

According to the product label, here are the ingredients in Costco’s Evergood pineapple sausage links:

• Pork
• Water
• Corn syrup solids
• Pineapple juice concentrate
• Salt
• Spices
• Dextrose
• Sodium nitrite

The first ingredient is pork, which provides the bulk of the protein. Water is used to keep the meat moist.

Corn syrup solids add sweetness, while pineapple juice concentrate provides tropical fruit flavor. Spices and seasonings complement the sweet and tangy pineapple notes.

Sodium nitrite is included to preserve color and prevent botulism. Many cured and processed meats contain sodium nitrite.

Overall, the ingredient list for Evergood’s pineapple sausage is relatively straightforward. Besides the pork, the main add-ins are seasonings, sugar sources, and pineapple juice concentrate.

There are no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. However, the corn syrup solids and dextrose do significantly boost the sugar content.

Should You Make Pineapple Sausage Part of Your Diet?

While lower in calories than regular pork sausage, Evergood’s pineapple sausage links are still a high-fat processed meat. Each link contains 250 calories and accounts for over a quarter of the recommended daily fat intake.

The high sodium levels may also be concerning for those limiting salt in their diets. Each pineapple sausage link has nearly a third of the recommended daily sodium intake.

However, enjoying pineapple sausage in moderation can be part of a healthy, balanced diet. Here are some tips for savoring the sausages wisely:

• Limit to 1 link per serving and indulge just occasionally
• Opt for a side of fruits instead of starchy carbs like biscuits or hash browns
• Choose a cooking method like baking instead of frying in oil
• Flavor vegetables and potatoes by browning in the rendered sausage grease

Pineapple sausage can provide a juicy, porky protein source while delivering a touch of sweetness. Just be mindful of your portion size and preparation method. Think of the links as a special treat in your breakfast lineup rather than an everyday staple.

The Bottom Line

Evergood’s pineapple sausage links available at Costco offer a lower calorie alternative to traditional pork sausages. However, they are still high in total and saturated fat, as well as sodium.

Enjoy Costco’s pineapple sausages in moderation by limiting yourself to one link at a time. Pair with fresh fruit and veggies instead of starchy sides. And choose heart-healthy cooking methods like baking instead of frying.

While not the leanest breakfast option out there, Evergood’s pineapple sausage can be incorporated into a balanced diet when consumed responsibly. The sweet taste of pineapple makes for an indulgent morning treat!