Calories in Spinach: Full Nutrition Breakdown
How many calories are in spinach? Serving-by-serving breakdown with full nutrition facts and FAQ.
Spinach is one of the lowest-calorie and most nutrient-dense foods available. Despite containing almost no calories, it is loaded with vitamin K, vitamin A, folate, iron, and manganese. Spinach also provides significant amounts of antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, which support eye health. Here is a complete breakdown of spinach nutrition by serving size.
Calories by serving size:
| Serving | Weight | Calories | Carbs | Fiber | Protein | Iron | Vitamin A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cup raw | ~30 g | 7 kcal | 1.1 g | 0.7 g | 0.9 g | 0.8 mg | 2,813 IU |
| 1 cup cooked | ~180 g | 41 kcal | 6.8 g | 4.3 g | 5.3 g | 6.4 mg | 18,866 IU |
| 3 oz / 85 g raw | ~85 g | 20 kcal | 3.1 g | 1.9 g | 2.4 g | 2.3 mg | 7,971 IU |
| 10 oz package (frozen, cooked) | ~284 g | 65 kcal | 10.7 g | 6.8 g | 8.4 g | 10.2 mg | 29,774 IU |
Spinach is also an outstanding source of vitamin K (one cup of cooked spinach provides over 800% of the daily value), vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many calories are in a cup of spinach?
A cup of raw spinach weighing about 30 grams contains only 7 calories, making it one of the lowest-calorie foods in existence. A cup of cooked spinach has about 41 calories because cooking reduces its volume dramatically, so much more spinach fits in a cup.
Is spinach high in iron?
Spinach is a good plant-based source of iron. A cup of cooked spinach provides about 6.4 mg of iron, which is roughly 36% of the daily recommended intake. However, spinach contains non-heme iron, which is less easily absorbed than heme iron from meat; pairing it with vitamin C can significantly improve absorption.
Is spinach good for weight loss?
Spinach is an exceptional food for weight loss due to its extremely low calorie content and high nutrient density. You can eat large volumes of spinach without adding significant calories to your diet. Its fiber and water content also help promote satiety and reduce overall calorie consumption.
Does cooking spinach destroy its nutrients?
Cooking spinach reduces some heat-sensitive nutrients like vitamin C and folate, but it actually increases the bioavailability of others. Cooked spinach provides significantly more iron, calcium, and beta-carotene per serving because cooking breaks down cell walls and concentrates the nutrients. For the best nutritional balance, include both raw and cooked spinach in your diet.
How much vitamin K is in spinach?
Spinach is one of the richest dietary sources of vitamin K. A cup of raw spinach provides about 145 mcg, and a cup of cooked spinach delivers a remarkable 889 mcg — well over 100% of the daily recommended intake. Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting and bone health.
How many calories are in a cup of spinach?
Is spinach high in iron?
Is spinach good for weight loss?
Does cooking spinach destroy its nutrients?
How much vitamin K is in spinach?
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