Hidden calories in spices

NewChapterInMyLife

I just thought it interesting that onion powder and garlic powder have calories when so many other spices don't contain any. Why wasn't I aware those 2 did? Good to know..
I wonder what other spices contain calories?
I guess you would only care if you are trying to be extremely accurate with your logging.

malibu927

They all have calories. It's just that, if it's fewer than 5 calories for a serving, they're legally allowed to state it's 0 calories on food labels. But yeah, they're usually so low calorie that many don't bother logging them.

NewChapterInMyLife

It was a little surprising that McCormick onion powder has 24 cals in a Tablespoon.

pinggolfer96

Some have sugar too in the mixed blends

lorrpb

Also watch the sodium!

seska422

NewChapterInMyLife wrote: »

It was a little surprising that McCormick onion powder has 24 cals in a Tablespoon.

Onion is a vegetable and mostly carbs. Drying and grinding it concentrates that energy into a smaller volume.

pinggolfer96

lorrpb wrote: »

Also watch the sodium!

why? no reason unless you have a health condition

Cbean08

Some more than others, depending on the origin and the blend. I learned to watch out Trader Joe's "everything but the bagel" seasoning. Adds up if you use a lot of it.

CyberTone

I posted this list a few years ago, but here again is the list I put together for spices in descending order of Calories per tablespoon.

Source: USDA National Nutrient Database, data set = Standard Reference, https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list?ds=SR

Spices, Calories per tablespoon

Spices – Mustard seed, yellow, 53
Spices – Poppy seed, 47
Spices – Nutmeg, ground, 37
Spices – Fenugreek seed, 36
Spices – Garlic powder, 28
Spices – Celery seed, 25
Spices – Mace, ground, 25
Spices – Chili powder, 24
Spices – Cumin, 24
Spices – Onion, powder, 24
Spices – Turmeric, ground, 24
Spices – Anise seed, 23
Spices – Cumin seed, 23
Spices – Caraway seed, 22
Spices – Cloves, ground, 21
Spices – Curry powder, 20
Spices – Dill seed, 20
Spices – Fennel seed, 20
Spices – Paprika, 20
Spices – Ginger, ground, 19
Spices – Pumpkin pie spice, 19
Spices – Cardamom, 18
Spices – Cinnamon, ground, 18
Spices – Oregano, dried, 17
Spices – Pepper, red or cayenne, 17
Spices – Allspice, ground, 16
Spices – Pepper, black, 16
Spices – Coriander seed, 15
Spices – Poultry seasoning, 11
Spices – Rosemary, dried, 11
Spices – Dill weed, dried, 8
Spices – Saffron, 7
Spices – Thyme, dried, 7
Spices – Sage, ground, 6
Spices – Bay leaf, 6
Spices – Basil, dried, 5
Spices – Marjoram, dried, 5
Spices – Spearmint, dried (mint), 5
Spices – Tarragon, dried, 5
Spices – Parsley, dried, 4
Spices – Spearmint, fresh (mint), 3
Spices – Rosemary, fresh, 2
Spices – Thyme, fresh, 2
Spices – Basil, fresh, 1
Spices – Peppermint, fresh (mint), 1
Spices – Pepper, white, < 1

kommodevaran

I think it's even better to know that the amount of calories in spices are negligible - how often do you eat a tablespoon of onion powder - and instead be more accurate with the large, frequently occurring things.

vallary14

If you enjoy them by all means include them in your cooking. Herbs and spices contain micronutrients and the flavor they add can reduce the amount of salt needed in your foods.

Lounmoun

Most recipes I've used are spreading a teaspoon to tableoon of spice over at least 6 servings so the amount they are adding to a single serving is fairly small. I feel comfortable being less accurate with most spices and herbs.

paperpudding

That list just verifies to me that they are not worth counting.

That list is for tablespoons.

I can't think of any recpie I have made that uses more than 1 teaspoon - a third or a quarter of a tablespoon - at most. Often less than that
And that usually to a recipe that makes several serves.