Pork, fresh, loin, top loin (chops), boneless, separable lean and fat, with added solution, raw
Whole food · Pork Products
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a lean, boneless cut from the top of the pork loin, often sold as a chop and enhanced with a solution to retain moisture. When raw, it has a pale pink color and a firm, fine-grained texture that cooks up tender and mild. Nutritionally, it's a high-protein, low-carb powerhouse, delivering nearly 20 grams of protein per 100 grams with no sugars or fiber.
Calorie split: 46% protein · 0% carbs · 54% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its clean, mild pork flavor that acts as a perfect canvas for marinades, rubs, and sauces. Its uniform shape and lean profile make it incredibly versatile for quick weeknight cooking, from pan-searing to grilling.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The 'added solution' can mean higher sodium content, which is a consideration for those monitoring salt intake. As a lean cut, it can dry out easily if overcooked, leading to a tough texture. To counteract this, use a meat thermometer to pull it at 145°F (63°C) and let it rest. Pairing it with a fiber-rich vegetable or a sauce can help balance a meal.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of lean protein for muscle maintenance.
- Very low in carbohydrates, suitable for keto and low-carb diets.
- Provides essential B vitamins like thiamine and niacin.
- Contains minerals such as selenium and phosphorus.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'solution' added to many pork loins is often a brine containing water, salt, and sometimes phosphates or flavorings, which can increase the weight of the meat by up to 15% before cooking.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 68.7 g |
| Energy | 171 kcal |
| Energy | 715 kj |
| Protein | 19.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 10.3 g |
| Ash | 1.6 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.00 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 9.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.42 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 21.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 244 mg |
| Potassium, K | 489 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 251 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.2 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.05 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 42.8 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.47 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.20 mg |
| Niacin | 7.2 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.73 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.47 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 53.0 mg |
| Betaine | 0.20 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.56 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.20 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 12.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.30 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 0.30 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.5 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.09 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.6 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.84 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 5.8 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.10 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.10 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 5.6 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 5.5 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.10 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.9 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.7 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 1.7 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3i | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.13 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.09 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.09 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t,t | 0.04 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.04 g |
| Cholesterol | 56.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.21 g |
| Threonine | 0.90 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.99 g |
| Leucine | 1.7 g |
| Lysine | 1.9 g |
| Methionine | 0.55 g |
| Cystine | 0.23 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.84 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.76 g |
| Valine | 1.0 g |
| Arginine | 1.3 g |
| Histidine | 0.87 g |
| Alanine | 1.2 g |
| Aspartic acid | 2.0 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.2 g |
| Glycine | 0.90 g |
| Proline | 0.81 g |
| Serine | 0.87 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.05 g |
FAQ
What does 'added solution' mean on the label?
It means the pork was injected or marinated with a mixture, typically water, salt, and sometimes other ingredients like phosphates or flavor enhancers, to increase juiciness and yield.
Is this the same as a pork tenderloin?
No. The top loin chop comes from the larger, outer loin muscle. Pork tenderloin is a smaller, more tender muscle from along the spine. They cook differently and have distinct textures.
How can I tell if my pork chop has added solution?
The ingredient list on the packaging will state it. Chops with solution often look plumper and may have a slightly wetter surface than unenhanced pork.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.71 kcal/g · 45% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.51 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.