How Many Calories ... in Chili Con Carne?

I don't know about you, but as the days grow shorter and colder, I find myself drawn to warm, comforting foods -- things like soups, stews, pastas, and casseroles. You know, winter foods that can warm you up on the coldest of days.

I love spicy foods, so it's not surprising that Chili Con Carne is one of my winter go-to foods. It's easy to make, it's chalk full of healthy veggies and beans, and -- most important -- it's hot, both in taste and temperature. Topped with a little sour cream, a bit of melted cheese and a slice of warm, freshly baked bread, it's an ideal cold-day treat.

But how healthy is it? How many calories does it have?

The answer is 595 calories, 25.9 g of fat and 56.2 g of carbs in a two-cup serving of Chili Con Carne, according to Calorie King -- that's without any add-ons, like bread, sour cream, or cheese. It could be worse, but 595 calories is still pretty high.

Some healthier options? Choosing vegetarian chili is a good way to cut the fat without compromising all the healthy nutrients and fibre. Another healthy choice? Have a one-cup serving of chili with a nice, big salad to balance out the calorie count. Homemade turkey chili is another option. Here are some recipe ideas:

• Low Calorie Chili from cooks.com
• Great low-cal/Low-fat chili from Recipezaar
• Turkey Chili from ShapeFit