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Low-calorie, fiber-rich bitter melon salad with vitamin C
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 cup (chopped) of Bitter melon salad (120 g) has 42 calories. That works out to 35 calories per 100 g. It contains 7.4 g of carbs, 1.7 g of protein, 0.5 g of fat and 3.1 g of fiber. Its 38.4 mg of Vitamin C covers 43% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 15 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Selected: 1 cup (chopped) · 120 g
42
KCAL / 120G
Carbs
7.4g
· 3% DV
Protein
1.7g
· 3% DV
Fat
0.5g
· 1% DV
Fiber
3.1g
· 11% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 72% · Protein 17% · Fat 11%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 42 kcal | |
| Total fat | 0.5 g | 1% |
| Saturated fat | 0.1 g | 1% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 144 mg | 6% |
| Total carbohydrate | 7.4 g | 3% |
| Fiber | 3.1 g | 11% |
| Protein | 1.7 g | 3% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup (chopped) | 120 g | 42 kcal |
| ½ cup (chopped) | 60 g | 21 kcal |
| 1 serving (small) | 80 g | 28 kcal |
| ½ piece (half) | 90 g | 32 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 35 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 150 g | 53 kcal |
| 1 piece (whole) | 180 g | 63 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 220 g | 77 kcal |
Calculated from 35 calories per 100 g.
Bitter melon salad is made with sliced bitter melon, often combined with onion, citrus juice, herbs, and spices. Recipes vary: some serve the melon raw after salting it, while others briefly cook it to soften its bitterness.
To make bitter melon salad, wash and thinly slice the bitter melon, remove large seeds, and salt the slices to draw out some bitterness. Squeeze away the liquid, then toss with onion, lemon or lime juice, herbs, and seasoning.
Salt the thin slices of bitter melon, let them sit briefly, then squeeze out and discard the liquid before assembling the salad. A tangy citrus dressing, onion, or a creamy yogurt dressing can also balance the sharp, bitter taste.
Yes, bitter melon can be eaten raw in a salad after washing and thinly slicing it. Raw bitter melon has a stronger, crunchier bite than cooked melon, so salting and squeezing the slices first can make the flavor more approachable.
Remove large, firm seeds and the spongy center when preparing bitter melon salad; they can be tough and unpleasant to eat. The seeds of a small, young bitter melon may still be soft, so check the texture before removing them.
No, peeling bitter melon is usually unnecessary for salad because its thin, ridged skin is edible. Wash it well and trim the ends; if the ridges are especially tough, you can scrape them lightly rather than peeling the whole vegetable.
Bitter melon salad tastes distinctly bitter, with a crisp texture when the melon is served raw. Citrus adds brightness, while onion, herbs, or yogurt can soften the bitterness; it is not meant to taste like a mild cucumber salad.
Bitter melon salad pairs well with richly spiced South Asian meals, including rice, lentils, and flatbreads. Serve it alongside a mild yogurt dish or other cooling sides to balance its assertive bitterness.
Store bitter melon salad in a covered container in the refrigerator and eat it soon after making it for the best crunch. Salt and dressing draw out moisture, so the slices soften as the salad sits; keep the dressing separate until serving when possible.
Bitter melon salad is not a proven treatment for diabetes, and eating it should not replace prescribed medication. If you have diabetes and plan to eat bitter melon regularly, ask your healthcare professional whether it could affect your blood sugar or medication plan.
Vitamins
Vitamin C
38.4mg · 43% DV
Folate
45.6µg · 11% DV
B2
0.06mg · 5% DV
Vitamin K
5.4µg · 5% DV
Minerals
Potassium ⭐
312mg · 9% DV
Sodium
144mg · 6% DV
Copper
0.05mg · 6% DV
Phosphorus
38mg · 5% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 42 calories in 1 cup (chopped) (120 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
Bitter melon salad is made with bitter melon, a ridged, distinctly bitter gourd used widely in South Asian cooking. Recipes vary: the melon may be thinly sliced and combined with onion, herbs, and a sharp dressing, or briefly cooked before serving.
Its crisp bite and strong bitterness are often balanced with citrus or other bright, savoury flavours. In South Asian meals it can be served as a side alongside rice and curries; elsewhere, it makes a refreshing contrast to grilled dishes or legumes. It is low in calories and provides fibre and vitamin C. If you prefer a gentler flavour, salt the slices and squeeze them out, or blanch them briefly before dressing.
High
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
NOVA 2
Minimally Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
No known major allergens
Vegan
✓ Suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
✓ Suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
✓ Suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
0.1g
MONOUNSATURATED
0.06g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.12g
Omega 6:3 ratio 5:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (5:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.