Pepper?

Instant124

Does pepper have calories? I love it and smother everything I eat in it both freshly ground and powdered but some say theres calories some say theres even sodium in it... I don't get it. Can someone enlighten me?

RLSeipleSr

I use quite a bit of it too ... found this on line - "No, pepper is very low in calories. You are adding virtually no calories to your meal, and pepper can supposedly speed up metabolism:

"Often unfairly paired with water-retaining, cholesterol-boosting salt, black pepper has several little-known health benefits. Studies suggest that it may help to help dissolve lipids (fats) and relieve symptoms caused by heartburn, indigestion, and intestinal gas. And when it comes to heightening your metabolism, black pepper is one of the best spices around. According to experts, piperine, the active chemical in black pepper, triggers parts of the brain and the nervous system, which, in turn, boosts the body's production, resulting in more calories burnt."

Bob S

kpsyche

https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/280?fgcd=&manu=&lfacet=&format=&count=&max=50&offset=&sort=default&order=asc&qlookup=02030&ds=&qt=&qp=&qa=&qn=&q=&ing=

If that first link doesn't work, try

https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list?qlookup=02030

Black pepper does have calories but I don't log pepper (unless I was making a pepper sauce where I use more than the sprinkle I put on nearly every savory meal -- i.e. I rarely eat 100g of black pepper to get 251kcal A teaspoon is 6kcal so not zero but I don't think I'll start logging it)

Lounmoun

It has calories just like all herbs and spices but a very small amount.
If you are just sprinkling it on you are probably adding less than 5 calories. If you are really coating your food with a thick layer of pepper like 6 g or more then you might get to 17 calories.
Pepper is very low sodium. The more you use the bigger the number will be. It probably won't impact you much compared to other things.