Is Canned Beef Stew Healthy? A Closer Look at the Nutrition Facts

Nothing says comfort food quite like a steaming bowl of beef stew And with canned varieties so quick and convenient, it’s tempting to reach for them when a stew craving strikes But are these ready-made stews actually good for you? I decided to investigate the nutrition facts of canned beef stew to find out if it can be part of a healthy diet.

In this article, we’ll compare canned beef stew to homemade and look at the pros and cons nutrition-wise. We’ll also explore some tips for choosing the healthiest canned stews and improving their nutrition profile. Let’s dive in!

Breaking Down Canned Beef Stew Nutrition

The ingredients in canned beef stew generally include:

Beef – usually chuck or round cuts
Potatoes, carrots, peas – classic stew veggies
Beef broth or stock
Flour or starch as a thickener
Salt, seasonings, herbs and spices

Nutritionally, one 8oz serving of canned beef stew offers:

Calories: 150-300 calories depending on brand
Protein: 15-20g
Fat: Around 10g, with saturated fat 3-4g
Carbs: 15-30g
Fiber: 2-4g
Sodium: 500-800mg, from broth, salt, seasoning

So while canned beef stew provides protein and some veggies, it can also be high in sodium, carbs and saturated fat in some cases Choosing low sodium options helps control the saltiness

How Canned Compares to Homemade Stew

Let’s see how canned beef stew stacks up against a homemade version nutrition-wise:

Canned

Convenient and quick
Provides protein, veggies, some fiber
Can be high in sodium, carbs, saturated fat

Homemade

Control ingredients for less sodium, fat
Use lean beef and lots of vegetables
Adds more fiber, nutrients
Takes longer to prepare

The Verdict?

Canned beef stew can be a nutritious choice, but homemade generally provides more nutrition by allowing you to control ingredients. But for a quick meal, lower sodium canned stew is a decent option.

Tips for Choosing Healthy Canned Stews

If eating canned beef stew, be choosy and look for these characteristics:

Less than 500mg sodium per serving
10g or less saturated fat
3g fiber or more
Less than 200 calories per serving
No MSG, artificial flavors or colors
Look for stews with lots of veggie chunks

Reputable brands like Healthy Choice make great lower sodium stews with quality ingredients. Go for these over generic store brands when possible.

5 Ways to Make Canned Stew Healthier

Don’t settle for subpar canned stews. With a few easy tweaks, you can make that store-bought stew into a nutritious family meal:

Rinse canned beans, carrots, potatoes to reduce sodium.
Stir in frozen veggies like peas, corn, spinach for extra nutrients.
Add barley, lentils or beans for filling fiber.
Toss in fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, oregano to boost flavor.
Serve over cauliflower rice instead of starchy white rice.

With smart ingredient choices and easy add-ins, canned beef stew can be a wholesome option for busy weeknights. Use nutrition labels to your advantage and know you have lots of options for giving canned stew a healthy upgrade.

The Verdict on Canned Beef Stew Nutrition

While not as nutritious as homemade, lower sodium canned beef stew can provide key nutrients like protein, veggies, fiber and important minerals. Just be mindful of sodium, saturated fat and carbs by reading labels carefully and making smart additions. With a few tweaks, canned beef stew can be a quick and tasty component of an overall healthy diet.

Beef stew, Dinty moore VS Armour

FAQ

Is DINTY MOORE stew unhealthy?

Dinty Moore’s beef stew is one of the highest sodium options on this list. A one-cup serving provides nearly 1,000 milligrams of sodium, which can contribute to high blood pressure and heart attacks.

Are canned beef healthy?

Certain types of canned beef, such as the all-natural versions, can also be a relatively healthy pantry food. However, if you already eat a lot of red meat, it may be best to skip this one. There is a large amount of protein per serving in canned beef.

Is canned beef stew ready to eat?

Yes, DINTY MOORE^® products are fully cooked and ready to eat. Can other ingredients and spices be added to DINTY MOORE^® products? Yes! Check out our recipe section for inspiration.

What kind of meat is in DINTY MOORE stew?

For more than 80 years, Dinty Moore^® has been the trusted name in beef stew. With its fresh, cut potatoes and carrots in a rich gravy with large chunks of real beef, Dinty Moore^® stew is an affordable complete meal for hardworking Americans.

Does beef stew come canned?

Mmm, beef stew. It’s not exactly something you’d expect to come canned, but it sure does make for a convenient meal when you’re craving deeply comforting beefy flavors but don’t want to invest the time, effort, and energy getting a proper stew cooked at home. We feel you.

Are canned beans healthy?

Some canned beans are usually added with salt or other seasonings. Make sure you choose the ones that has no added salt, sugar or any other seasoning to prevent over consumption of salt in your diet.

Can you eat canned beef stew if you have a cold?

Out of all the delicious comfort meals, we always turn to any beef stew recipe to combat the cold. It often requires hours of slow cooking, though. So, stocking up on jars of ready-to-eat canned beef stew is a great idea and a clever shortcut to a tasty, comforting dish.

How much does canned beef stew cost?

Other facets of this canned beef stew we’d like to point out include the price point and the fact that it is gluten-free. You pay about $2 bucks per 18.5-ounce can (at the time of publication), which is actually a little cheaper than some of the poorer canned beef stew brands we’ve reviewed.