Are Canned Biscuits Healthy? A Closer Look at Convenience

November 8, 2025 •

4 min read

While canned biscuits offer undeniable convenience, a single, regular-sized biscuit can contribute a significant portion of your daily recommended sodium and saturated fat intake. This raises important questions about whether this popular shortcut to a warm biscuit is a healthy choice for your diet.

Quick Summary

An examination of canned biscuits reveals they often contain high levels of sodium, refined flour, and saturated fats. We break down the nutritional trade-offs, discuss common additives, and provide guidance on healthier choices, including how to make low-sodium versions from scratch or choose better store-bought options.

Key Points

High in Sodium: Many canned biscuits contain excessive sodium, which can negatively impact blood pressure and cardiovascular health.
Source of Saturated Fat: The flaky texture of canned biscuits comes from high levels of saturated fats, and sometimes artificial trans fats, that contribute to poor heart health.
Made with Refined Flour: Canned biscuits are typically made with refined white flour, offering minimal fiber and nutrient content compared to whole grains.
Contain Additives: Preservatives like TBHQ, artificial flavors, and stabilizers are often added to increase shelf life.
Ultra-Processed Food: Due to their ingredients and manufacturing, canned biscuits are considered ultra-processed, which many health experts recommend limiting.
Healthier Homemade Alternatives: Making biscuits from scratch allows you to control ingredients, reduce sodium, and use whole grains.
Moderation is Key: While not a health food, canned biscuits can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Canned Biscuits: A Nutritional Overview

At first glance, canned biscuits seem like an innocuous part of a meal. They are quick, easy, and satisfying. However, when you look past the convenience, a more complex nutritional profile emerges. A typical canned biscuit is primarily made from refined white flour, a type of carbohydrate that offers minimal nutritional value because the bran and germ have been stripped away. This means it lacks the fiber, vitamins, and minerals found in whole-grain options. The fat content is often high, driven by hydrogenated oils or palm oil, which can contain saturated and trans fats—ingredients known to negatively impact cardiovascular health.

The Sodium and Fat Problem

One of the most significant concerns with canned biscuits is their high sodium content. The average canned biscuit can contain several hundred milligrams of sodium, sometimes providing a quarter or more of the recommended daily intake in just one serving. This high sodium level is used for flavor and as a preservative. For individuals with high blood pressure or those monitoring their sodium intake, this can be a serious issue. Similarly, the fats used to create that flaky texture can be a problem. Many contain saturated fats, and some older or less healthy varieties may still have trans fats, which are considered particularly harmful.

Additives and Preservatives

Beyond the core ingredients, canned biscuits often contain a list of additives designed to extend shelf life and improve texture. These can include various chemical leavening agents, artificial flavors, and preservatives. For example, some brands use TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone), a synthetic preservative linked to potential health concerns. While these are used in small quantities and are generally considered safe by regulatory bodies, their cumulative effects on a diet consisting of many processed foods can be a concern for some consumers.

Canned vs. Homemade Biscuits: A Nutritional Comparison

To highlight the nutritional differences, let's compare a standard canned biscuit with a typical homemade version. This table illustrates how choosing from-scratch can provide a greater degree of control over your ingredients.


Feature	Standard Canned Biscuit	Homemade Biscuit (typical recipe)	Nutritional Considerations
Sodium	Often high, up to 490mg per biscuit.	Can be controlled and significantly reduced.	High sodium intake is linked to high blood pressure.
Fat	High in saturated fat; may contain partially hydrogenated oils.	Made with butter or healthier fat options; trans fat-free.	Excess saturated and trans fats negatively impact heart health.
Flour	Primarily refined white flour.	Can be made with whole-wheat flour, adding fiber.	Refined flour lacks fiber and essential nutrients.
Additives	Contains preservatives, stabilizers, and artificial flavors.	Made with simple, recognizable ingredients.	Processed additives raise concerns for some consumers.
Processing Level	Ultra-processed, designed for long shelf life.	Minimal processing, made fresh at home.	Minimizing processed food intake is a general health recommendation.

Finding Healthier Alternatives

For those who enjoy biscuits but want a healthier option, several alternatives are available. The simplest is to make biscuits from scratch using whole-wheat flour, a healthier fat source like butter or coconut oil, and controlling the amount of salt. This allows you to avoid preservatives and hydrogenated fats entirely. For those who still prefer convenience, look for canned biscuits marketed as "organic" or "natural," as these often omit artificial preservatives and may use cleaner ingredients. However, always read the nutrition label carefully, as even these options can be high in sodium. Alternatively, explore options like low-sugar, high-fiber biscuits found in specialty or health food stores. Pair your biscuits with nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, or lean protein to balance your meal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while canned biscuits are a convenient treat, they are not a healthy dietary staple. Their high levels of sodium, saturated fat, refined flour, and additives place them in the ultra-processed food category, which has been linked to various health issues. By being a mindful consumer and carefully reading nutrition labels, you can make more informed choices. For those seeking genuinely healthy options, making biscuits at home from whole-wheat flour is the best route. For convenience lovers, searching for lower-sodium, organic versions and moderating intake is key. The true health of any food lies in its overall nutritional value and how it fits into a balanced, whole-food-focused diet.

A list of simple tips for making healthier biscuit choices

Check the label: The first step to a healthier choice is always reading the nutrition label.
Prioritize whole grains: Opt for whole-wheat options or make your own for added fiber.
Limit sodium intake: Choose "low sodium" or "no salt added" varieties whenever possible.
Understand the fats: Avoid products with partially hydrogenated oils to limit trans fat exposure.
Go organic: Consider organic varieties to avoid some preservatives and GMOs.
DIY is best: Making biscuits from scratch gives you complete control over ingredients.
Balance your meal: Serve biscuits with a source of lean protein or vegetables to improve the overall nutritional profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary reasons are high sodium, high saturated fat, and the use of refined flour, which means they are low in fiber and micronutrients.

You can’t reduce the sodium in an already-made canned biscuit, but you can choose lower-sodium versions found at the store or make your own biscuits from scratch where you control the salt content.

Organic versions may avoid artificial preservatives and use cleaner ingredients, but you still need to check the nutrition label for fat and sodium content, which can still be high.

Healthier alternatives include homemade biscuits made with whole-wheat flour, lower-fat buttermilk, and controlled salt, or other whole-grain baked goods.

Some brands may contain trans fats from hydrogenated oils, though many brands have reduced or eliminated them. Checking the ingredient list is the only way to be sure.

Yes, but only in moderation. Given their high calorie, sodium, and fat content with low nutritional value, they should be an occasional treat rather than a dietary staple.

Homemade biscuits typically offer lower sodium, less saturated fat, and more fiber if made with whole grains, giving you full control over the ingredients used.