[Article updated on 19/09/2023]
Eggplant has a soft, supple and very juicy pulp. It is extremely versatile and can be prepared in any way possible: boiled, fried, braised, roasted or breaded. It can help garnish various specialties such as couscous, pancakes, pies and salads. It can even replace pasta in a lasagna or pizza, making the recipe much lower in calories and healthier. It makes an excellent accompaniment to roasted or grilled meats. Let’s see how many calories are in eggplant.
Before reading on
I’m not an expert in this field, but I am passionate about nutrition and health.
The articles you’ll find on my site are the result of in-depth research that I’d like to share with you. However, I would like to stress that I am not a health professional and that my advice should in no way replace that of a qualified physician. I’m here to guide you, but it’s important that you consult a professional for specific questions or medical concerns. Your well-being is important. So be sure to consult the appropriate experts and take the best possible care of yourself.
How many calories are in eggplant?
100 g of eggplants equals 24 kcals. This corresponds to approximately 3% of the daily caloric needs of an adult human being of average weight and average physical activity.
Carbohydrate, protein and lipid content of eggplant
Eggplants contain 1g of protein per 100g. A medium-sized eggplant (250g) contains around 2.5g of protein. Eggplants contain 5.7g of carbohydrates per 100g. A medium-sized eggplant (250 g) contains approximately 14.3 g of carbohydrates. Eggplants contain 3.4g of fiber per 100g. A medium-sized eggplant (250 g) contains approximately 8.5 g of fiber. This corresponds to approximately 28% of an adult’s daily needs.
Eggplant nutritional values table
| Nutrients | Eggplant: content per 100 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 5.88g |
| – with sugar | 3.53g |
| – starch | 0g |
| – dietary fiber | 3g |
| Proteins | 0.98g |
| Lipids | 0.18g |
| -including cholesterol | 0g |
| -of which saturates | 0.1g |
| Potassium | 957 mg |
| Sodium | 8.4 mg |
| Water | 92.3g |
| Alcohol | 0g |
How much does an eggplant weigh on average?
An eggplant (edible part after peeling) weighs 250 g on average and provides around 60 calories (kcal). This amount of calories provided to the body by a medium-sized eggplant (250 g) is similar to the amount of calories provided by an apple, half a slice of cheese, half a slice of bread or 3 teaspoons of sugar.
To get rid of these calories, for example, you should cycle for at least 9 minutes, swim for 7 minutes or jog for 6 minutes. The calories in eggplant come 14% from protein, 80% from carbohydrates and 6% from fat.
Does eggplant make you gain weight?
Eggplant does not make you gain weight, because it is a low-calorie product. Eating eggplant seems to be a good choice for those on a weight loss diet.
Vitamins
Despite its many positive qualities, eggplant does not have a high vitamin content. It is a fairly modest source of B vitamins, as well as vitamins C and A. So, when it comes to supplementing vitamin deficiencies, eggplant is unlikely to come to our aid.
Minerals
Eggplant is rich in manganese (70% RDA), iron (22% RDA) and potassium (36% RDA). However, the most interesting compound found in eggplant is chlorogenic acid. Eggplants also contain flavonoids such as anthocyanins.
Manganese, which is most abundant in eggplant, is involved in building enzymes that metabolize glucose and fatty acids. It is also a structural element of bones and skin. Manganese is very important in reproductive processes and in the proper functioning of the central nervous system.
Potassium directly linked to sodium ensures good water management in the body. Iron, in turn, is the most important component of hemoglobin. It is part of the composition of many enzymes and proteins involved in metabolism.
Chlorogenic acid is a plant compound known for its strong antioxidant activity. Antioxidants protect our cells from a harmful process that damages cells and contributes to various diseases. Chlorogenic acid is also antimutagenic, meaning it also protects cells from uncontrolled changes.
Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments that have many health benefits. Eggplants owe their dark color to them.
Beneficial properties of eggplants
Eggplant works very well in slimming diets because it contains very few calories. In addition, it enriches the body with valuable nutrients. Eggplant helps with constipation problems. It accelerates intestinal transit and increases the work of the intestines, thanks to dietary fiber. However, you need to be careful about the amount of vegetables you eat, as eggplant can prove difficult to digest. Purple eggplant skin is full of valuable compounds.
Eggplant is an excellent source of fiber that regulates the digestive system and protects against type 2 diabetes. The B vitamins present in eggplant are mainly responsible for the proper functioning of the nervous system: they relieve nervous tension, have an effect positive on mood, and improve intellectual performance. B vitamins also play an important role in metabolic processes.