Weight Loss Tricks

Eating a Thanksgiving bird sans gravy is a lot like going to Orlando with the kids and not stopping by Disney World to meet Mickey. It's practically a sin! And in the case of the turkey, one that's dried-out and lacking in flavor.

While turkey is undeniably a potent source of nutrition, many people consider it to be the most boring thing on the holiday table. (Admittedly, the competition is pretty stiff!) And cooking a turkey with all of the trimmings, sides, and desserts is enough to make even the most dexterous cook want to throw in the spatula and serve at least a few pre-made dishes—which is precisely how so many people wind up with store-bought gravy on their table.

But you'll want to tread carefully in the Thanksgiving aisle, friends. While gravy may be a condiment for a very wholesome source of protein, it can vary quite dramatically in terms of ingredient and nutritional quality—and we should know. In honor of the upcoming holiday, the Eat This, Not That! team inspected all of the top-selling varieties one by one and ranked them from best to worst. Read on to learn what we discovered about each one. (Plus, find out which are The Unhealthiest Thanksgiving Side Dishes.)

Nutrition per 1 Tbsp ( ~ ¼ cup prepared): 20 calories, 0.5 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 370 mg sodium, 4 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 0 g protein

McCormick may be a trusted brand you know and love but you should really think twice about using a gravy mix that relies on caramel coloring and multiple sneaky cousins to MSG to enhance its flavor and appealing brown hue.

Nutrition per 1 Tbsp (~ 1/4 cup prepared): 20 calories, 0.5 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 280 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 0 g protein

Traces of trans fat, caramel color, and MSG are hiding in this packet of spices and flavors—and we can't say we're too surprised. Are you sensing a pattern here? Because we are. If it's possible to make a gravy sans junky additives, why not do it?

RELATED: The Best Turkey-Cooking Tips, From an Expert

Nutrition per 1/4 cup: 25 calories, 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 290 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 1 g protein

The bulk of this sauce is made of turkey broth and cornstarch—two harmless ingredients. However, we can't ignore the fact that it also contains caramel color and soybean oil. While the former contains a compound that may cause cancer, the latter has been connected to weight gain. When you're already filling your plate to the gills, that's the last thing you want to put into to your body.

Nutrition per 1/4 cup: 20 calories, 0.5 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 270 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 1 g protein

You may be mentally prepared for the food coma that's sure to follow your Thanksgiving meal, but if you indulge in this gravy, you may suffer a throbbing headache, too. It's made with hydrolyzed soy protein, a commonly used flavor enhancer. That may sound innocent enough, but after examining its chemical composition—which is made up of amino acids—it's clear to us that it's anything but innocent. The reason: One of the acids, glutamic acid, can release free glutamate. When this glutamate joins with free sodium in your body (which you have a ton of on T-Day), they form monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is known to cause adverse reactions like headaches and nausea in sensitive individuals.

Nutrition per 1/4 cup: 25 calories, 1 g fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 270 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g protein

It may have a short ingredient list, but Campbell's—the unofficial Soup King of America—relies on caramel coloring to give its turkey topper a rich golden hue. Buy it if you must, but know that there are better options out there.

Nutrition per 1/4 cup: 15 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 330 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 0 g protein

There are a few good things about this gravy—and a few not-so-good things, too. First of all, it has 13 fewer ingredients than its full-fat sibling. And when it comes to packaged food, fewer ingredients usually yield a more wholesome product. It's also lighter in calories, which is another bonus. But the bottom line is that the ingredients just aren't up to snuff. Crammed with powdered turkey meat (which just sounds gross), caramel color, and disodium guanylate (a chemical version of MSG that fuels the body's desire to continue eating), it's still a jar you're better off leaving on the shelf.

Nutrition per 1 Tbsp (~ 1/4 cup prepared): 25 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 190 mg sodium, 5 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar

From the brown rice flour and tamari powder to the onions and shiitake mushrooms, nearly everything that goes into this packet is something you'd find in your own kitchen.

Nutrition per 2 tsp ( ~ ¼ cup prepared): 20 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 300 mg sodium, 4 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 0 g protein

This product's fairly straightforward ingredient panel and relatively low salt content earn it a spot on our Eat This list. Another thing we love about this poultry topper? It's flavored with sage, black pepper, onion, and, of course, organic turkey and chicken, which creates a home-cooked taste we all crave around the holidays.

Nutrition per 1/4 cup: 25 calories, 1 g fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 270 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 1 g sugar,1 g protein

Relatively low in sodium and free of anything icky, Swanson's heat and eat turkey topper is a safe (and delicious) bet for your bird. The best part? It can be found everywhere from Amazon and Walmart to your local grocery store.

Nutrition per 1/4 cup: 15 calories, 0.5 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 210 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 0 g protein

After digging through mounds of gravy cans, we can confidently assure you that this one has one of the lowest calorie counts we've ever seen. Its ingredients are top-notch, too, earning it the Eat This stamp of approval.

RELATED: 47 Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes You Need To Make

Nutrition per 1/4 cup: 20 calories, 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 180 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 0 g protein

This low-sodium gravy is free of meat, which makes it great for turkey lovers and vegans alike. Made with mushrooms, rice flour, olive oil, veggies, spices, and almond butter (yes, almond butter!), this product is a clear winner in our eyes.

Nutrition per 1/4 cup: 15 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 170 mg sodium, 4 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 0 g protein

Brown rice flour joins together with sautéed mushrooms, soy sauce, and a plethora of flavorful seasonings to create this low-calorie, low-sodium flavor enhancer. There's nothing shady here, so go ahead and drizzle it on as liberally as you please.

Nutrition per 1/4 cup: 40 calories, 2 g fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 190 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 1 g protein

Made with turkey broth, flour, turkey fat, cream, sea salt, and rosemary extract, the ingredient panel of this ultra-clean gravy box reads nearly identical to dear old grandma's recipe. It may be more caloric than some other varieties, but the quality can't be beat. If you're worried about calories, don't be so heavy-handed with the pour.

Get more tips for a healthier Thanksgiving:

• 30 Classic Thanksgiving Recipes That Deserve a Comeback
• How Much Weight Could You Actually Gain on Thanksgiving?
• 30 Thanksgiving Recipes That Take 30 Minutes

The post The Best & Worst Gravy Options on the Shelves—Ranked! appeared first on Eat This Not That.