Quick Answer
A regular Johnsonville brat contains 280 calories per link. This is based on the nutrition information provided by Johnsonville for their Original Bratwurst sausage links.
Calories in Johnsonville Brats
Johnsonville is a popular brand of bratwurst and other sausages, founded in 1945 and headquartered in Wisconsin. Their original bratwurst sausage links contain 280 calories per link according to the nutrition facts label.
Here are the full nutrition facts for a regular Johnsonville brat:
| Serving Size | 1 link (85g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 280 |
| Total Fat | 24g |
| Saturated Fat | 9g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 55mg |
| Sodium | 580mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 2g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 0g |
| Protein | 13g |
As you can see, a single 85 gram link of Johnsonville Original Bratwurst contains 280 calories. This works out to about 3.3 calories per gram.
The majority of the calories come from fat, with 24 grams total and 9 grams saturated fat. There is also a significant amount of protein at 13 grams per link.
The sodium content is relatively high at 580 milligrams, or about 25% of the daily value.
Besides calories, Johnsonville provides full nutrition information on their website for fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, and protein.
Calorie Breakdown
Here is the breakdown of where the 280 calories in a Johnsonville brat come from:
– Fat: 216 calories (77% of total)
– Protein: 52 calories (19% of total)
– Carbs: 12 calories (4% of total)
As you can see, over three-quarters of the calories come from fat, mainly saturated fat. Protein makes up about one-fifth of calories. Carbohydrates provide a relatively small portion of calories.
This nutrition profile is typical for bratwurst and other sausage products made from pork and beef. The high fat and protein content provides a lot of flavor in brats.
Calories from Fat
The 24 grams of total fat in a regular Johnsonville brat provides 216 calories.
Here is the calorie breakdown for the different types of fat:
– Saturated fat: 9g (81 calories)
– Trans fat: 0g (0 calories)
– Unsaturated fat: 15g (135 calories)
Saturated fat provides about 38% of the calories from fat. The rest comes from unsaturated fats. There are minimal calories from trans fat.
Calories from Carbs
Despite having just 2 grams of carbs per link, a small amount of calories in a Johnsonville brat come from carbohydrates.
Specifically, the 2 grams of carbs provides about 12 calories, or 4% of the total calories.
Most of the carbs come from added sugars. The nutrition label lists 0 grams of fiber and 0 grams of sugar alcohols, indicating the 2 grams of total carbohydrates are largely simple sugars.
So the minor amount of calories from carbs are mostly empty calories from added sugars rather than beneficial complex carbs.
Calories from Protein
For a 13 gram serving of protein, a regular Johnsonville brat provides about 52 calories from protein. This makes up around 19% of the total 280 calories.
Protein is an important macronutrient that provides 4 calories per gram, as opposed to 9 calories per gram from fat.
So despite containing over half the amount of protein than fat, the protein in a Johnsonville brat still provides 20% of total calories due to having less calories per gram than fat.
The 13 grams of protein is a significant amount that provides about 26% of the recommended daily value. Protein helps support building and maintaining muscle mass.
Calorie Density
In addition to counting total calories, looking at calorie density can provide insight into the nutritional profile.
Calorie density is measured as the number of calories per gram of food. It indicates how calorie-packed a food is relative to its serving size.
A regular Johnsonville brat contains 280 calories in 85 grams of food. This equals a calorie density of 3.3 calories per gram.
Foods low in calorie density provide fewer calories per gram and are generally more filling. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins typically have low calorie density.
Foods high in calorie density pack more calories relative to portion size. These calorie-dense foods include oils, butter, nuts, sweets, and fatty meats like bratwurst.
So with a calorie density of 3.3 calories per gram, a regular Johnsonville brat is a relatively high calorie-dense food. The high fat content results in a lot of calories for the weight.
How Many Links in a Serving
Nutrition facts are provided on a per link basis for Johnsonville brats. But when cooking and eating brats, most people consume more than one link at a time.
Here are some typical serving sizes for Johnsonville brats:
– 1 brat (280 calories)
– 2 brats (560 calories)
– 3 brats (840 calories)
– 4 brats (1120 calories)
Brats are often served in even numbers for meals. Two or four brats may be served in a meal, either on a bun or with sauerkraut and potatoes on the side.
Three brats per person would be on the higher end for portion size, providing 840 calories and 72 grams of fat. This would be considered a high calorie main course.
In many cases, a single brat link on a bun makes a good-sized meal for one person. The 280 calories and 24 grams of fat is a significant amount from one bratwurst sausage.
So the number of linksconsumed will depend on the meal and the person’s appetite and calorie needs. Nutritionally, a single brat or two brats make up a reasonable serving size for most people.
Typical Johnsonville Brat Serving Sizes
Here are some typical serving sizes when eating Johnsonville brats:
– Grilling – 2-4 links
– Brats and buns – 1-2 links
– Beer dinner – 2-3 links
– Big appetite – 3-4 links
– Side dish – 1 link
– Appetizer – 1/2 link
For many brat-lovers, 2 or 3 links make up a standard full meal. But this can range from 1-4 links depending on the person and the meal.
When served as a standalone side dish or appetizer, a single link or half a link may be sufficient. In these cases, the brats play a supporting role rather than the main dish.
In all cases, the number of links should be adjusted based on your own calorie needs and appetite. Consuming multiple high-calorie bratwursts can add up quickly.
Tips for Reducing Calories in Johnsonville Brats
While Johnsonville brats are a indulgent treat, there are some ways to reduce the calories while still enjoying their great taste:
– Grill instead of pan fry – Saves calories from grease
– Skip the bun – Eliminates empty carbs
– Load up veggies – Add volume with fewer calories
– Use mustard, not mayo – Much lower calorie condiment
– Limit to 1 link – Portion control to avoid overeating
– Split with someone – Share 2 links instead of eating 4
– Substitute turkey brats – Typically have fewer calories than pork/beef
Grilling is one of the most effective ways to cut calories, as is limiting portion size to 1 link. Piling on vegetables boosts nutrition without adding many calories.
While these tips can help lighten up your brat meal, keep in mind it’s still a high calorie sausage. So enjoy brats in moderation as an occasional indulgence in a balanced diet.
Nutrition Comparison to Other Sausages
How do Johnsonville brats compare calorie-wise to other popular sausages?
Here is a nutrition comparison per link or sausage (85g):
| Sausage | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnsonville Brat | 280 | 24g | 2g | 13g |
| Italian Sausage | 260 | 23g | 1g | 12g |
| Polish Sausage | 330 | 29g | 2g | 13g |
| Turkey Kielbasa | 180 | 13g | 1g | 12g |
As you can see, brats contain slightly more calories than Italian sausage, but fewer than Polish sausage. Turkey kielbasa is the lowest calorie option.
However, all these popular sausages provide significant calories, fat, sodium, and protein in a compact package. So it’s smart to keep portion sizes reasonable and balance out your diet.
Cooking Methods and Effects on Calories
How you cook Johnsonville brats can alter the calorie content slightly by changing the fat content. Here is how different cooking methods compare:
– Grill – Low calorie. Allows fat to drip away rather than be absorbed.
– Pan fry – Higher calorie. Sausages absorb extra grease from pan.
– Boil – Low calorie. No added fat.
– Deep fry – Highest calorie. Absorbs large amount of oil.
Grilling and boiling are the best methods for minimizing calories, while deep frying adds a significant amount of oil and calories. Pan frying falls in the middle depending on how much oil is used.
However, the differences amount to 50-100 calories at most. The leanest cooking methods may save 10-15% calories versus deep frying.
In all cases, the predominant calories still come from the high fat content within the sausages themselves. So cooking method plays a secondary role compared to portion size.
Calories in Bratwurst vs Beef Hot Dogs
Bratwurst and hot dogs have similar nutrition profiles and calorie counts. But there are some key differences:
– Brats are often pork and veal, dogs are all beef
– Brats are coarser ground, dogs are emulsified
– Brats are unlinked, dogs are linked sausages
– Brats have more bold seasoning than hot dogs
Calorie-wise, beef hot dogs contain about 140 calories per link compared to 280 calories for a brat link. So brats have about twice as many calories per link!
However, hot dogs links are smaller than brat links. Comparing 4oz (113g) servings, both brats and hot dogs contain approximately 300-350 calories.
So while their shape, texture, and taste differ, brats and hot dogs ultimately provide a similar calorie punch. Limit portions and cook without added fat to control calories.
Low Calorie Brat Alternatives
To enjoy the taste of brats while reducing calories, here are some lower calorie alternatives:
– Turkey brats – Around 200 calories per link
– Veggie brats – Roughly half the calories of pork brats
– Chicken sausage – Lower fat than pork, but more sodium
– Portobello mushrooms – Can substitute for veggie option
Turkey brats provide the closest taste and texture to original brats. Most of the calories come from fat, so turkey and chicken sausages are leaner.
Veggie brats are the lowest calorie and fat, but don’t mimic the meaty texture as well. Grilled portobellos are a whole food vegetarian substitute.
While these alternatives are lower in calories, most are still processed foods high in sodium. So they should still be eaten in moderation as part of a healthy diet.
Conclusion
A regular 85 gram link of Johnsonville bratwurst contains 280 calories, with 216 of those calories coming from fat. Exact calories can vary slightly depending on cooking method.
Typical serving sizes range from 1-4 links, with 2 brats being common for a meal. Brats are a high calorie, high fat food, so practice portion control and balance with vegetables and whole grains.
While brats are high in calories, fat, and sodium, they remain a popular indulgence for theirdistinctive taste and texture. By grilling, limiting portions, and pairing with healthy sides, you can still enjoy brats while maintaining balanced nutrition. In moderation, brats can fit into an overall healthy lifestyle.
