Battle of the Vegetarian Chilis
Updated
Mornin’ guys!
ENTER OUR COMPETITORS
Trader Joe’s Organic Vegetarian Chili
- 1 cup — 190 calories, 6 g fat, 7 g fiber, 8 g protein, sodium 590 mg; iron 20%
- Ingredients — organic red beans, filtered water, organic onions, organic tofu (water, organic soybeans, nigari), organic bell peppers, organic sweet rice flour, organic jalapeno peppers, panic high oleic safflower and/or sunflower oil, spices, organic garlic, sea salt.
vs.
Whole Foods 365 Brand Organic Vegetarian Chili Mild
- 1 cup — 240 calories, 5 g fat, 10 g fiber, 13 g protein, sodium 530 mg; iron 15%
- Water, prepared organic pinto beans, organic textured soy protein, organic chili pepper, organic corn starch, organic tomato paste, organic canola oil, contains less than 1% of each of the following: organic onion powder, organic corn flour, organic onions, organic red bell peppers, organic jalapenos, sea salt, organic evaporated can juice, organic spice, organic garlic powder
Which one is better?
- If you prefer a smoky, spicy, and more bland chili, then Whole Foods’ brand vegetarian chili is for you.
- If you prefer a more sweet chili, then the Trader Joe’s brand is for you.
- If calories is ALL you care about, TJ’s has 50 calories less per cup (as both are relatively close in fat grams)
- If sodium is ALL you care about, WF has 60 mg less per cup
- I prefer the Trader Joe’s brand by far. It is the most delicious chili I have ever had (even if I were including the meat versions I have had prior to being a vegetarian.)
- The only problem with the both of them? Way too much sodium!
Think Outside the Bowl
- You can eat chili in a tortilla like a burrito! See my post here.
- Use it as “dressing” over a salad or mixed vegetables.
- Use it as enchilada or lasagna filling.
- Use it as spaghetti sauce over whole-wheat pasta.
- Any other ideas?
Compare To
- Red Robins — One cup chili has 302 calories, 19 g of fat — Yikes on the fat
- Au Bon Pain — One cup vegetarian chili has 225 calories, 2.2 g fat (cool!), but 990 mg sodium (worse than both the TJ and WF brands)
- Average cup of chili, says Calorie King here — One cup = 360 calories, 24 g fat
In The News
- “The Food Truck Stops Here,” LA Daily News, 7/29/09, here — To all my L.A. peeps out there — have you guys tried any of the food off roach coaches these trucks? What do you guys think about mobile cuisine?
- “Venezuela Bans Coke Zero,” Fit Day, here, 7/29/09
- “Organic Food Has No Health Benefits, Study Finds,” Times Online, here, 7/29/09 – Muy interesante (though not shocking since my friend Marlan rants talks about this all the time)!
- Did any of you catch More to Love last night? I happened to be on the phone with two of my girlfriends when my twin burst into my room, “Annabel — your show More to Love is on!” (My show? I had only heard of the show and never talked about it, but whatev, twin!
My gfs and I then got into an interesting discussion about the show in a theoretical sense, but instead of sharing our opinions and questions on the show with you, I want to know what you guys think about it! See article in EW.com here, primarily the comments section, for some interesting insight. - “Obesity Politics and the Weight of the Nation,” The Atlantic, 7/27/09, here — I highly recommend reading this article and reading the comments. Especially in light of Food Inc., it poses some very relevant questions about the food industry, our eating habits, etc.
- “MSG and the Fattening of a Nation,” Fit Day, here, 7/27/09
What are you guys watching this summer? Any shows you refuse to miss? Have you guys tried any good vegetarian chilies?
Happy Wednesday!
<3,
The Cranky One
Tags: Au Bon Pain, Coke Zero, mobile cuisine, mobile food, more to love, MSG, obesity politics, organic foods, Red Robin, trader joes, vegetarian chili, vegetarian foods, Whole Foods
15 People have left comments on this post
I’ve had the beef chili from TJ, but not the veggie kind. I think I would like to try it now. Thanks for the review
ooohhh, that Trader Joe’s chili sounds yummy! Thanks for the review!
I haven’t yet figured out a tactful way of putting my thoughts into words regarding the show “More to Love” HA! I have a few choice words floating in my mind, stand by.
YAY! More veggie chilis for me to try! A new Trader Joe’s recently opened closer to my apartment, so I’m superpumped, and I’m definitely gonna purchase the chili. Love your reviews on both
I’m gonna post my black bean chili recipe on my site tomorrow or Friday. I really like it, but that could be because it’s one of the only things I actually cook (and I feel like a REAL adult when I do it).
I’ll have to try TJ’s chili. I love rolling chili in a tortilla…
I’ll be back later to check our the news items – they sound really interesting!
Love this review! I want to try veg chilim but I was kinda nervous
Now I know what to try. I watched about half of More to Love. It was OK, but I was WAY TURNED OFF that they put their height and weight up when they were meeting the guy. It made me want to turn it off. I didn’t just then, but I got distracted and never returned.
Hubby and I watch Hung, and I love Design Star and Housewives
I will read what other people have to say, but this is my opinion on More to Love:
First, I’m glad you’re talking about it. I read a lot of fitness blogs and you’re the only one that’s mentioned it. Second, they’re fat. And the bachelor isn’t an amazing guy because he likes “average” women, he’s a chubby chaser. Those are the facts. This is where the grey area comes in. First, I don’t think it’s mean to say they women are fat; they are. That’s how they got on the show. It isn’t an insult, it’s their BMI. So, is there anything wrong with being fat or liking fat women? No, not really. While there are plenty of studies that show the positive effects of a healthy BMI, there are also plenty of studies that show a healthy overweight woman will live longer and better than an unhealthy underweight or average weight person. If these women are happy and healthy, I’m glad.
BUT. I DESPISE the show’s attempts to make this a show about average, normal women. If the average American woman is a size 14/16, that’s horrifying. The average American woman is fat. That may be normal in the sense of what is most common, but it isn’t what we should aspire to nor should we be made to feel good about this fact. I am quite a bit taller than the average American woman -5’8″ to the average 5’3.7″- and big-boned according to that wrist test. I’m currently right between normal and overweight BMI and I weigh a size 11 (healthy for me is a 9, which I’m trying to get back to). If I’m to assume all these women are about average height and wear and an average size of 14/16, they must be in the obese catagory or close to. I certainly think people should be happy with who they are, but people who are unhealthy shouldn’t flaunt it. It isn’t a social acceptablility issue, it’s a health issue!
My bf and I were watching TV and watched the first few minutes of it before changing it and he asked, “Why can’t they make a show with all sizes of women?” instead of just unattainably beautiful or fat. Good question. My opinion is that the fat and average women would be voted off first and that would make the audience pissed off. Not that every guy is shallow, but most the people that would be on a reality show must have some issues.
Phew, this is long. I could keep going but I’ll spare you.
welp, FML for real ’cause i can’t try either of those chilis — but thanks for the reviews anyhoo
I love Chili… I am going to have to try the Trader Joes kind I think. I love the ideas of what you can do with it. I never thought to make it into a burrito! Love it.
Have not watched the More to Love show BUT I don’t watch Bachelor or Bachelorette either! I like the Food Network competitions & challenges shows, I Like Ace of Cakes even if I don’t eat that stuff, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE WIPEOUT!!!!! I also watch What not to Wear even though I don’t follow the advice cause I have no clothes & I watch that wedding dress how just for fun! I just want LOST to come back on!!!
OK, I watch TV, sue me!!! We record & watch when we have time!
As for beans. my tummy can’t handle even though they look great!!!
I am sure I missed something here but running behind today!
The organic food article was interesting. But, I don’t buy organic for a higher nutrient value. I buy organic for what is DOES NOT contain: chemicals and preservatives. I thought that was the reason most people bought organic. Do people actually believe organic food had more nutrients?
I like making my own chili since I hate onions and all store bought chili has them. It’s quite easy though, especially in a crockpot
I’ve been watching “So you think you can Dance”, Bobby Flay’s “Throwdown” and lots of home improvement shows lately… and of course lots of cooking shows
Happy Thursday!!
i LOVE chili!!!
thanks for this most – i loved seeing all the comparisons between cans, restaurants, etc. i usually don’t crave chili until the wintertime, but that is sounding pretty good right now! i usually make my own, but that TJ’s stuff sounds too good!
I just heart you. writing a review on vegetarian chili’s all for me.
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