How much potassium is in Campbell's chicken noodle soup? A Nutritional Breakdown

October 29, 2025 •

4 min read

The amount of potassium in Campbell's chicken noodle soup varies significantly between product lines, ranging from a relatively low 54mg in a half-cup of regular condensed to a substantial 580mg in some Healthy Request versions. Consumers must check specific nutritional labels to determine the precise potassium content in Campbell's chicken noodle soup.

Quick Summary

Different Campbell's chicken noodle soup products contain widely varying levels of potassium, influenced by ingredients and sodium reduction strategies. Standard versions are low in potassium but high in sodium, while some low-sodium products use potassium chloride as a salt substitute, dramatically increasing their potassium content.

Key Points

Content Varies by Product: The potassium level in Campbell's chicken noodle soup is not a single value and differs significantly among product lines like Condensed, Chunky, and Healthy Request.
Low Sodium often means High Potassium: In some low-sodium varieties, such as Healthy Request, manufacturers use potassium chloride as a salt substitute, which significantly increases the potassium content.
Read the Label: It is essential to check the specific nutrition facts panel on each can to determine the accurate potassium and sodium content for your dietary needs.
Sodium vs. Potassium Balance: While some soups offer a moderate amount of potassium, they are typically high in sodium, an electrolyte imbalance that can contribute to high blood pressure.
Essential for Health: Potassium is a vital electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions, nerve signals, and blood pressure.
Not a Primary Source: Standard Campbell's chicken noodle soup is generally not a significant source of potassium compared to whole, unprocessed foods like fruits and vegetables.

Understanding Potassium in Your Campbell's Soup

When considering the nutritional content of a product like Campbell's chicken noodle soup, it is critical to recognize that a single product name can represent multiple distinct formulations. For potassium content, variations across the classic condensed soup, chunky, homestyle, and reduced-sodium versions are significant. This comprehensive guide will help you understand the specific potassium levels for each product and how they fit into a balanced diet.

Potassium Content by Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup Variety

Classic Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup: This is the iconic red and white can that many are familiar with. A half-cup serving of the condensed variety contains a relatively low level of potassium, typically around 54mg. However, the sodium content is notably high, often around 840mg for the same serving. When prepared by adding a can of water, the potassium and sodium levels are still a consideration, especially for those monitoring their intake.

Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup: As a ready-to-serve product, the Chunky variety offers a different nutritional profile. One cup (250 mL) of Campbell's Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup contains approximately 225mg of potassium. This represents a more significant source of potassium compared to the condensed version, with a notably different portion size and ingredient list.

Healthy Request Chicken Noodle Soup: For individuals monitoring their sodium intake, the Healthy Request line is a popular choice. However, as noted by health resources, these versions often contain high amounts of potassium. To reduce sodium, manufacturers often use potassium chloride as a salt substitute, which drastically increases the potassium level. A Healthy Request Chicken Noodle soup can contain as much as 580mg of potassium per serving. This is an important detail for those with kidney disease or other conditions requiring potassium management.

Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup: The homestyle line provides another option with its own nutritional values. A single serving of Campbell's Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup generally has a moderate potassium content of about 190mg.

The Important Connection Between Sodium and Potassium

Potassium and sodium are both crucial electrolytes that work together to maintain fluid balance and nerve function in the body. The typical American diet is often high in sodium and low in potassium, a dangerous imbalance that can contribute to high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. In processed foods like canned soups, the sodium content is often elevated to enhance flavor and act as a preservative. The Campbell's Soup Company has addressed consumer concerns about sodium by offering reduced-sodium products and explicitly mentions using potassium salt to achieve this. While beneficial for reducing sodium, this practice significantly alters the potassium content, a critical factor for anyone with dietary restrictions related to kidney health. Always read the label and ingredient list carefully.

Why Potassium Matters for Your Health

Potassium plays a vital role in maintaining overall health beyond just balancing sodium. According to health experts, it is essential for:

Fluid Balance: Regulating the fluid inside your cells.
Muscle Contractions: Including the crucial contraction of your heart muscle.
Nerve Signals: Ensuring proper communication throughout your nervous system.
Blood Pressure: Helping to lower blood pressure by helping your body excrete excess sodium.
Bone Health: Helping protect bone health by reducing calcium loss in urine.

Considerations for a Healthy Diet

For those relying on canned soup as a quick meal, here are some tips for managing potassium and sodium:

Check the Label: Never assume the potassium content. Look for the Nutrition Facts panel and compare different varieties before purchasing.
Choose Lower-Sodium Options: For better heart health, opt for low-sodium soups, but be mindful of potentially higher potassium levels due to salt substitutes like potassium chloride.
Dilute Your Soup: Stretching a can of condensed soup by adding extra water or low-sodium broth can help reduce the per-serving sodium and potassium amounts.
Add Fresh Ingredients: Supplementing with low-potassium vegetables like onions or bell peppers can add flavor and nutrients without excessive potassium.
Consider Homemade: A homemade chicken noodle soup allows for complete control over both sodium and potassium content, using fresh ingredients like chicken broth, vegetables, and herbs.

Comparison of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup Varieties


Product Variety	Serving Size	Potassium Content	Sodium Content	Notes
Condensed Original	½ cup condensed	~54mg	~840mg	High in sodium, low in potassium per serving.
Condensed Homestyle	½ cup condensed	150mg	480mg	Moderate potassium, lower sodium than Condensed Original.
Chunky Classic	1 cup ready-to-serve	219mg	790mg	Ready-to-serve, higher potassium per cup than condensed.
Healthy Request	1 cup ready-to-serve	580mg	410mg	Significantly higher potassium due to potassium chloride substitute.
Simply Chicken Noodle	1 cup ready-to-serve	260mg	680mg	Moderate potassium, ready-to-serve, no added sugars.

Note: Nutritional values can vary. Always check the label of the specific product you purchase.

Conclusion

The potassium content in Campbell's chicken noodle soup is not a one-size-fits-all answer. As explored, the values range dramatically depending on the specific product line, with regular condensed versions having lower potassium and reduced-sodium versions, like Healthy Request, containing significantly higher amounts due to the use of potassium chloride as a salt substitute. For those monitoring their dietary potassium or sodium, reading the nutritional information on each can is crucial. While all varieties offer a small contribution to daily potassium needs, they are not typically considered a primary source of this essential mineral, and their high sodium content must be weighed against their potassium levels for overall dietary health. For more detailed information on potassium recommendations, you can consult the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements fact sheet.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Campbell's classic condensed chicken noodle soup is not a good source of potassium. It contains a relatively low amount, around 54mg per half-cup condensed serving, while being notably high in sodium.

Campbell's Healthy Request soups often contain higher levels of potassium because the company uses potassium chloride as a salt substitute to reduce the overall sodium content. For example, Healthy Request can contain up to 580mg of potassium per serving.

A full 10.75 oz can of Campbell's condensed chicken noodle soup, prepared with water, contains approximately 137mg of potassium.

Yes, Campbell's Chunky chicken noodle soup contains more potassium per serving compared to the condensed variety. One cup (250 mL) typically contains around 225mg of potassium.

The National Institutes of Health recommends that adult men consume 3,400mg and adult women consume 2,600mg of potassium daily. Most Campbell's chicken noodle soups provide only a small fraction of this.

No, the potassium level is not consistent. It varies significantly between the different product lines, including condensed, chunky, homestyle, and low-sodium versions. It is always important to check the specific product label.

Yes, a diet high in sodium and low in potassium can contribute to increased blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.