Do Herbs And Spices Have Calories?
Nutritional insights are central to weight control. Thus, the nutritional value and calorie counts of meals become focal points when monitoring weight. But most people don't know seasonings may be just as relevant to include in the calorie count. Is it possible for certain herbs and spices to increase the calories in a meal? Let's find out!
Calories are simply a unit that measures energy, according to Live Science. Almost every food you'll find on the market has calories in it. Food is eaten for energy. Calories are nothing to be afraid of, but you want to be mindful of how many you're taking in, if that's your cup of tea.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute suggests calories should be balanced with a person's weight and lifestyle. For example, a person with an active lifestyle will need more calories (or energy) to maintain a consistent weight compared to someone who is less active. The amount of calories we take in each day depends on the foods we eat, and the herbs and spices we use to season those foods, too (via The Calorie Counter).
These calorie counts may surprise you
Simply put, only some herbs and spices have calories. Even if you're counting calories you can still use them, in moderation, to spice up any dish. If you want to check your caloric intake, Healthline notes that there are calculators and apps to help with that. But if you're just curious which spices and herbs have few or no calories, look no further.
A list created by Calories.info says herbs and spices like stevia, sea salt, basil, dill weed, and cress have zero calories. The Calorie Counter says other options like ginger, rosemary, and saffron have less than 10 calories. Other popular seasonings like cinnamon, curry, and onion are much higher in calories. Here's a surprise: Sesame seeds fall at a whopping — hold onto your hat — 825 calories in one single cup (via Trusty Spotter). Even though herbs have calories, certain herbs are often used to aid weight loss; so it truly depends on how you use them.
It's paramount for us to know the nutritional value of the foods we eat to make the best choices at each meal. Herbs and spices may have calories in them, while others don't. These seasonings are not considered unhealthy, but it may be best to find the calorie count of those you like, and use them sparingly or combine them with zero-calorie spices.