Pillsbury canned biscuits are a popular pre-made baking item found in the refrigerator section of most grocery stores. But many health-conscious shoppers wonder, just how many calories are in those convenient doughy circles?
The Short Answer
Each Pillsbury Grands! refrigerated buttermilk biscuit contains approximately 100 calories.
Calories Can Vary By Specific Product
While the basic Pillsbury refrigerated biscuits contain around 100 calories each, the exact calorie count can vary slightly depending on the specific product.
Here is the calorie breakdown for some popular Pillsbury canned biscuit varieties:
| Biscuit Type | Calories per Biscuit |
|---|---|
| Pillsbury Grands! Buttermilk Biscuits | 100 |
| Pillsbury Grands! Flaky Layers Original Biscuits | 110 |
| Pillsbury Grands! Homestyle Buttermilk Biscuits | 100 |
| Pillsbury Grands! Jr. Golden Layers Buttermilk Biscuits | 70 |
As you can see, most of the basic Pillsbury canned biscuits contain right around 100 calories per biscuit. However, specialty varieties like the Flaky Layers biscuits tend to be slightly higher at 110 calories each.
Nutritional Breakdown of Pillsbury Canned Biscuits
Calories provide a general overview of how much energy is in food. But to get a more complete nutritional picture, let’s look at the full breakdown of macros and micros in a standard Pillsbury buttermilk biscuit.
Here are the nutrition facts for a Pillsbury Grands! refrigerated buttermilk biscuit (100 calories):
| Nutrient | Per Biscuit | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | 3 g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 0 g | |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 330 mg | 14% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 16 g | 6% |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Total Sugars | 2 g | |
| Includes 0 g Added Sugars | 0% | |
| Protein | 3 g |
As you can see, the majority of calories in Pillsbury biscuits come from carbohydrates. Each biscuit contains 16 grams of total carbs, which accounts for most of the calorie content.
Pillsbury biscuits are also low in fiber and protein, with 0 grams of fiber and just 3 grams of protein per biscuit.
They contain a small amount of fat, with 3 grams per biscuit or 5% of the recommended daily value. The majority of this comes from saturated fat.
Sodium content is fairly high at 14% DV, with 330 mg per serving. So these biscuits may not be the best option for those limiting sodium intake.
Factors That Influence Calorie Content
Several factors can cause the calorie content of Pillsbury canned biscuits to vary slightly.
1. Baking Time and Temperature
The calorie information for Pillsbury biscuits is based on the dough prior to baking. Once baked, the biscuits may end up slightly higher or lower in calories due to changes from the baking process.
Higher temperatures and longer baking times can cause more moisture loss, potentially decreasing calorie density slightly. On the other hand, lower heat for a shorter period may lead to less calorie change after baking.
2. Biscuit Size
If the biscuit dough is portioned into smaller or larger biscuits before baking, the calorie content per biscuit will change accordingly.
For example, making 12 biscuits out of a can instead of the normal 10 would reduce the calories per biscuit, since the dough is divided into more portions.
3. Special Diet Varieties
Pillsbury offers several specialty biscuit varieties, including reduced fat and whole grain options. These versions may have slightly different calorie contents.
For example, Pillsbury Extra Rich Homestyle Biscuits contain 130 calories each while Pillsbury Reduced Fat Homestyle Biscuits have 100 calories per biscuit.
Calories in Biscuits vs Other Baked Goods
Now that we know how many calories are in Pillsbury biscuits, how does that compare to other common baked goods?
Here’s a comparison of the calorie content in Pillsbury biscuits versus similar items:
| Baked Good | Calories (1 serving) |
|---|---|
| Pillsbury Grands! Buttermilk Biscuit | 100 |
| Betty Crocker Buttermilk Biscuit Mix (1 biscuit) | 110 |
| Refrigerated Cinnamon Roll (1 roll) | 260 |
| Ghirardelli Chocolate Chip Cookie (1 cookie) | 140 |
| Otis Spunkmeyer Blueberry Muffin | 330 |
| Entenmann’s Glazed Donut | 190 |
As shown, Pillsbury biscuits are on the lower end of the calorie spectrum compared to other convenient baked goods. The only items with fewer calories are biscuit mixes, which require a few extra preparation steps.
So while Pillsbury biscuits aren’t exactly low-calorie health food, they contain a reasonable number of calories for an easy homemade taste.
Tips for Consuming Pillsbury Biscuits on a Diet
Pillsbury biscuits can absolutely be part of an overall healthy diet when consumed in moderation. Here are some tips for enjoying them on a weight loss or maintenance plan:
1. Watch Your Portions
Stick to 1 or 2 biscuits at a time instead of consuming half the can. And avoid frequent snacking straight out of the fridge.
2. Split With Someone
If you want a taste but don’t need a whole serving, split a biscuit with a family member or save half for later.
3. Pair With Protein
Eat biscuits alongside eggs, lean meat, or Greek yogurt for a balanced meal.
4. Practice Mindful Eating
Savor each bite instead of mindlessly noshing. Be present as you enjoy the flavor.
5. Watch the Add-Ons
Minimize high-calorie spreads like honey butter or gravy. Or use sparingly.
6. Burn Some Calories
Enjoy biscuits after exercise when your body needs replenishing. A 30-minute walk can burn around 100 calories.
7. Make Healthier Substitutions
Replace butter or jam with lower calorie avocado or fresh berries.
Healthier Ways to Enjoy Pillsbury Biscuits
Here are some recipe ideas for lighter ways to use Pillsbury biscuits:
Breakfast Sandwiches
Use biscuits for breakfast sandwiches with scrambled egg whites, turkey sausage, and cheese.
Biscuit Pizzas
Top halved biscuits with tomato sauce, veggies, and a sprinkle of reduced-fat cheese.
Berry Shortcakes
Split biscuits and top with mixed berries and whipped cream.
Chicken Pot Pie
Make mini pot pies by filling biscuits with cooked chicken, peas, carrots, and gravy.
Biscuit Avocado Toast
Toast biscuit halves and top with mashed avocado, salt, pepper and a fried egg.
Should You Consume Pillsbury Biscuits on a Diet?
Pillsbury biscuits can be part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation. A 1-2 biscuit serving contains a reasonable number of calories compared to similar convenience foods.
Be mindful of portion sizes, pair with protein, and use healthy recipes to keep calories in check. Enjoying biscuits occasionally as part of an overall healthy pattern of eating can be perfectly fine for weight management.
Conclusion
Each standard Pillsbury Grands! refrigerated biscuit contains approximately 100 calories, with 16 grams of carbohydrates making up most of those calories. Exact amounts may vary between flavors and with preparation factors like bake time.
Pillsbury biscuits contain fewer calories than many other convenience baked goods. So they can fit into a healthy diet when consumed mindfully and in moderation. Use portion control, add nutrition with toppings, and balance with exercise to enjoy these tasty biscuits while managing calories.
