Popeyes Vs KFC: Which Chain Has The Healthier Coleslaw?

Nothing goes better with a fried chicken dinner than a heaping helping of coleslaw, but which of these two major chains makes the healthiest side dish, Popeye's or KFC? While diners should always follow their own needs when it comes to their dietary needs, this head-to-head comparison will give you a quick window into these two cool veggie treats — and let you know which is the healthiest overall.

Popeye's produces a coleslaw with fewer calories — 160 to KFC's 170, both for a regular or individual-sized serving. Both portions are in a dead heat when it comes to the amount of fat in a serving: 12 grams. Regarding saturated fat, it amounts to 2 grams for both dishes, and neither of them has trans fat. A big difference between the two slaws lies in cholesterol — KFC's coleslaw has less than 5 milligrams, while Popeye's side dish has 10. Popeye's coleslaw also has more salt in it — 210 milligrams of sodium compared to KFC's 180. Both coleslaws have an equal amount of sugar — 10 grams. Popeye's coleslaw has 12 grams of carbohydrates, and KFC's has 14. The two coleslaws are dead even when it comes to protein, too, as they each sport one gram. Finally, KFC has more dietary fiber, as it has 4 grams to Popeye's only 2.

While these two types of coleslaw have a whole lot in common, KFC's side dish is slightly superior to Popeye's when it comes to being healthy. It has more fiber, less salt, and much less cholesterol. If you're worried carbohydrates or want to eat fewer calories, however, Popeye's might be better for you. In the end, both can be part of a healthy diet, it's just a matter of keeping your dietary needs in mind.

But how do the two brands match up when it comes to flavor? Each brand has devotees and detractors on Reddit. "To me it's so good. Nice kick of spices. A bit drier. Still good," said one user on r/popeyes about KFC's coleslaw. While there's no need for fans like this one to boost the flavor of their coleslaw, others dislike it completely. One user posting to r/CasualConversation ranted that they'd finally figured out why they hate KFC's take on the cabbage-laden dish so much: to them, it tastes like the chain uses Miracle Whip in their coleslaw. "It has taken me 26 years to figure it out (I was never that curious, I just figured it was nasty because it's KFC), but there it is: they used the worst imitation condiment out there to ruin one of the best sides for southern food."

There's also plenty of comments in support of Popeye's coleslaw. "The best. Pretty much the best. I think it's better than almost [any other] coleslaw, less high-end with premier ingredients," said another user. But other users have noticed a change in the chain's slaw for the worse. "It's now huge chunks and not very sweet," one said. Chunky or not, at least it'll help you keep your calorie intake down.