Ready & Packaged Foods
All →Vegetables & Legumes
All →Desserts & Confectionery
All →Meat & Protein
All →Grains & Bakery
All →Beverages
All →Milk & Dairy
All →
Low-calorie seaweed extremely rich in iodine
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 cup (chopped) of Boiled kelp (130 g) has 56 calories. That works out to 43 calories per 100 g. It contains 12.5 g of carbs, 2.2 g of protein, 0.8 g of fat and 1.7 g of fiber. Its 1950 µg of Iodine covers 1300% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 15 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Selected: 1 cup (chopped) · 130 g
56
KCAL / 130G
Carbs
12.5g
· 5% DV
Protein
2.2g
· 4% DV
Fat
0.8g
· 1% DV
Fiber
1.7g
· 6% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 76% · Protein 13% · Fat 11%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 56 kcal | |
| Total fat | 0.8 g | 1% |
| Saturated fat | 0.22 g | 1% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 303 mg | 13% |
| Total carbohydrate | 12.5 g | 5% |
| Fiber | 1.7 g | 6% |
| Protein | 2.2 g | 4% |
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.
Log this food in EatBetter
100,000+ people use it
📸 Scan the code to get the app free.

| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup (chopped) | 130 g | 56 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (chopped) | 8 g | 3 kcal |
| 1 piece (small) | 25 g | 11 kcal |
| 1 piece (medium) | 50 g | 22 kcal |
| 1 cup (shredded) | 65 g | 28 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 43 kcal |
| 1 serving (small) | 100 g | 43 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 150 g | 65 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 220 g | 95 kcal |
Calculated from 43 calories per 100 g.
Yes, boiled kelp can be a nutritious food, especially because it can supply substantial iodine. Its iodine content varies widely, though, so large or frequent servings may provide more iodine than intended.
Boiling can move some iodine from kelp into the cooking water, especially if that water is discarded. It does not reliably remove all the iodine, and the amount left depends on the kelp and how it was prepared.
Not necessarily; kelp can contain a lot of iodine, and excess iodine can affect thyroid function. If you have a thyroid condition or take thyroid medication, ask your clinician before eating boiled kelp regularly.
Boiled kelp has a savory, ocean-like taste with a noticeable umami quality. Its texture can be tender or slightly chewy, depending on how it was cooked; citrus, sesame, or a mild dressing can balance its briny flavor.
No, the names are not interchangeable. Kombu refers to kelp used in Japanese cooking, often sold dried, while boiled kelp describes kelp that has been cooked. Some varieties overlap, but not every kelp product is kombu.
Rinse boiled kelp briefly under cool water if it tastes salty or came packed in brine. This removes excess surface salt; drain it well before adding it to a salad, soup, or other dish.
Keep boiled kelp in a covered container in the refrigerator and use it within 3–4 days. Discard it if it develops an unpleasant smell, mold, or a slimy texture.
Yes, boiled kelp can be frozen in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw it in the refrigerator; its texture may become softer, so thawed kelp works especially well in soups and cooked dishes.
It can cause digestive discomfort for some people, particularly in a large serving. Kelp’s fiber and other seaweed components may contribute to bloating or loose stools; try a small amount first if you are not used to it.
Yes, if it is sold ready-cooked and has been stored safely, boiled kelp can be eaten without cooking it again. Rinse it if it is salty, and reheat it only if you prefer it warm or are adding it to a hot dish.
Vitamins
Folate
234µg · 59% DV
B5
0.83mg · 17% DV
B2
0.2mg · 15% DV
B1
0.13mg · 11% DV
Minerals
Iodine
1950µg · 1300% DV
Magnesium
157mg · 37% DV
Calcium
218mg · 22% DV
Iron
3.77mg · 21% DV
Sodium
303mg · 13% DV
Potassium ⭐
116mg · 3% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 56 calories in 1 cup (chopped) (130 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.
Boiled kelp is kelp, a large brown seaweed, cooked until tender. It is familiar in East Asian cooking, where kelp is used in soups and broths as well as salads and side dishes; boiled kelp is less common in many other kitchens.
Its flavour is savoury and ocean-like, and cooking gives it a soft, sometimes slightly slippery texture. Serve it in a salad, stir it into soup, or dress it simply with sesame and citrus as a small side. It is low in calories, with 43 per 100 g, and exceptionally rich in iodine. Because of that high iodine content, keep portions modest, especially if you plan to eat kelp regularly.
Very 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
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
0.22g
MONOUNSATURATED
0.08g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.04g
Omega 6:3 ratio 0.3:1
Below the ideal 4:1 — a good omega balance.
Ask the AI nutrition coach — calories, portions, alternatives and more, answered in seconds in the app.
Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.