How many calories are in a 6 ounce breaded Pork Chop?

A 6 ounce breaded pork chop contains approximately 270-350 calories depending on the exact type of breading, cooking method, and fat content of the pork. Pork chops are a lean cut of meat from the loin section and provide an excellent source of protein. However, breading and frying can add a significant amount of calories. Understanding the calorie content is important for managing dietary goals.

Calories in Pork

A 6 ounce pork chop without breading contains the following calories:

  • Boneless center cut chop: 210 calories
  • Bone-in chop: 230 calories
  • Country style ribs: 240 calories

The leanest cuts come from the loin section where there is less fat marbling in the meat. Rib and shoulder chops tend to be slightly higher in fat and calories. Boneless chops have the meat trimmed close while bone-in contains a bit more fat around the bone.

For comparison, a 6 ounce chicken breast contains about 230 calories while a 6 ounce sirloin steak has 290 calories. So in its unbreaded form, pork is an intermediate calorie option between chicken and beef.

Calories Added from Breading

Breading significantly increases the calorie content of pork chops. Some examples and estimates:

  • Panko breadcrumbs: 50 calories per 1/4 cup
  • Italian seasoned breadcrumbs: 60 calories per 1/4 cup
  • Flour coating: 30 calories per 1/4 cup

Frying instead of baking or grilling also adds more fat and calories:

  • Fried in oil: 45 calories per tablespoon
  • Cooked with butter: 100 calories per tablespoon

Most breaded chops are coated with around 1/4 to 1/2 cup of crumbs. Taking the average calorie count of breading and cooking methods, this can add approximately:

  • 100 calories for a light coating
  • 150-200 calories for a heavy breading

Total Calories in a Breaded Pork Chop

Combining the calories in pork with the additional calories from breading, a 6 ounce breaded pork chop contains approximately:

  • 270 calories with a light breading
  • 320 calories with a medium breading
  • 350 calories with a heavy breading

The leaner the cut of pork, the lower the starting calorie count. Less breading means fewer calories added. Healthier cooking techniques like baking or grilling instead of frying also reduce the calories.

Daily Calorie Needs

To determine if a 270-350 calorie pork chop fits into your dietary goals, consider the following general daily calorie requirements:

  • Women
    • Sedentary: 1800-2000 calories
    • Moderately Active: 2000-2200 calories
    • Active: 2400-2600 calories
  • Men
    • Sedentary: 2200-2400 calories
    • Moderately Active: 2400-2600 calories
    • Active: 3000 calories

These totals are for maintaining weight. Reducing daily calories by 500-1000 from these levels can result in 1-2 pounds of weight loss per week. Use a TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) calculator to get a more customized calorie target.

A 270-350 calorie pork chop represents about 15% of a day’s calories for an average moderately active female. For men or very active lifestyles, it provides around 10-15%. As part of a balanced diet with vegetables, grains, fruit, and lean protein, a 6 ounce breaded pork chop can fit into most calorie intake goals.

Nutrition

In addition to calories, a breaded pork chop provides:

  • 25-30g protein
  • 10-15g fat
  • 15-30g carbs (mostly from breading)

Protein is important for building and repairing muscles as well as providing lasting energy. The breading adds carbohydrates for quick energy. Fat content is moderate and a mix of heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats as well as saturated fat.

To make the meal more balanced nutritionally, pair it with sides like:

  • Non-starchy vegetables for vitamins, minerals, and fiber
  • Whole grain like brown rice or quinoa for complex carbs
  • Green salad with vinaigrette dressing for added healthy fats

Tips for Lightening Up Breaded Pork Chops

There are a few easy ways to reduce the calorie count of breaded pork chops if trying to cut back:

  • Use thinner 1/4 inch chops which require less breading
  • Choose a lighter coating like panko crumbs or flour
  • Skip the breading and use seasoning like garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper
  • Spray chops with oil instead of frying in oil or butter
  • Bake, grill, or broil instead of pan frying

With these tweaks, it’s possible to enjoy a breaded pork chop for around 200-250 calories while still keeping it flavorful.

Portion Size

In addition to preparation method, portion size has a major impact on calories. Some serving sizes to keep in mind:

Chop Size Calories
4 ounces 210-260
6 ounces 270-350
8 ounces 360-460

So a smaller 4 ounce chop can save 70-100 calories compared to a larger 8 ounce portion. Pay attention to portion sizes and servings to reach your desired calorie intake.

Cooking Methods

How you cook a pork chop also influences its calorie content. Here is a comparison of common cooking methods:

Method Added Calories
Baked 0-50
Grilled 0-50
Broiled 0-50
Pan fried in oil 100-150
Deep fried 150-250

Dry heat methods like baking, grilling, and broiling add minimal calories from small amounts of oil. Pan frying adds calories from oil in the pan while deep frying dunks the chops in hot oil for more calories absorbed.

Foods for Calorie Comparison

Here are some other foods with similar 270-350 calorie counts for comparison to a breaded 6 ounce pork chop:

  • Cheeseburger – 330 calories
  • Medium fries – 380 calories
  • Chicken fajita (no tortilla) – 330 calories
  • Veggie burrito – 300 calories
  • Macaroni and cheese (1 cup) – 330 calories
  • Tuna salad sandwich – 320 calories
  • Cobb salad with dressing – 350 calories
  • Lasagna (1 cup) – 270 calories
  • Spaghetti with meatballs (1 cup) – 290 calories

As you can see, a breaded pork chop provides calories comparable to many common meals and restaurant options. Keeping calorie counts in mind helps ensure breaded pork chops fit into your overall eating plan and goals.

Low Calorie Alternatives

For lower calorie options, consider:

  • 4 ounce grilled pork chop – 190 calories
  • 4 ounce baked pork chop – 210 calories
  • 3 ounces pork tenderloin – 120 calories
  • 1 cup vegetable soup – 100 calories
  • 3 ounce grilled chicken breast – 140 calories

Trimming portion sizes, using leaner cuts of meat, and healthier cooking methods reduces calories while still providing satisfying protein. Soups and salads with low calorie dressing can also help fill up on fewer calories.

High Calorie Alternatives

On the other hand, the following options are higher in calories than a 6 ounce breaded pork chop:

  • Cheeseburger with bacon – 550 calories
  • Ribeye steak (8 ounces) – 700 calories
  • Breaded fried chicken breast (8 ounces) – 510 calories
  • Meat lover’s pizza (2 slices) – 850 calories
  • Double cheeseburger – 670 calories

Larger portions, higher fat cuts of meat, additional cheese and bacon, fried dishes, and multiple high calorie toppings quickly add more calories compared to a single breaded pork chop.

Conclusion

A 6 ounce breaded pork chop contains approximately 270-350 calories depending on preparation methods and portion size. The lean pork itself provides 210-240 of those calories, while breading and frying add 50-150 more. Compared to the daily calorie requirements of most adults, this represents 10-15% of total daily needs and can fit into a healthy diet alongside vegetables, carbs, fruits, and other lean proteins. Selecting lighter breading, baking instead of frying, and reasonable portion sizes can help keep calories in check. Use nutrition information to make informed choices and create balanced, tasty meals.

Leave a Comment