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Butterfly Calories
Rarely consumed insect, rich in protein and micronutrients
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
Quick answer
1 piece (whole) of Butterfly (2 g) has 9 calories. That works out to 450 calories per 100 g. It contains 0 g of carbs, 1 g of protein, 0.5 g of fat and 0 g of fiber. Its glycemic index is 0 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Butterfly Nutrition Facts
Selected: 1 piece (whole) · 2 g
9
KCAL / 2G
Carbs
0g
· 0% DV
Protein
1g
· 2% DV
Fat
0.5g
· 1% DV
Fiber
0g
· 0% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 0% · Protein 47% · Fat 53%
Butterfly nutrition facts table · 1 piece (whole) (2 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 9 kcal | |
| Total fat | 0.5 g | 1% |
| Saturated fat | 0.16 g | 1% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 2.4 mg | 0% |
| Total carbohydrate | 0 g | 0% |
| Fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Protein | 1 g | 2% |
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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How Many Calories in 1 Butterfly?
| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 piece (whole) | 2 g | 9 kcal |
| 5 piece (whole) | 10 g | 45 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (chopped) | 12 g | 54 kcal |
| 10 piece (whole) | 20 g | 90 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 20 g | 90 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 50 g | 225 kcal |
| 1 pack (whole) | 50 g | 225 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 450 kcal |
| 1 cup (chopped) | 100 g | 450 kcal |
Calculated from 450 calories per 100 g.
Frequently Asked Questions About Butterfly
Can you eat a butterfly?
Butterflies are eaten in some places, but they are not a common food. Don’t eat one caught outdoors: its species, diet and exposure to pesticides can all affect whether it is safe.
Are butterflies poisonous to eat?
Some butterflies carry defensive chemicals, and some feed on plants that make them toxic or unpleasant to predators. Safety varies by species, so an unidentified butterfly should not be considered safe to eat.
What does a butterfly taste like?
There is no widely accepted description of butterfly flavour because butterflies are rarely eaten as food. Any reported taste depends on the species and preparation, so descriptions cannot be applied reliably to butterflies in general.
Which butterflies are edible?
Only specific species with a known food-use and safety history could be considered for eating. Appearance alone cannot tell you whether a butterfly is edible, and wild butterflies may also be protected or contaminated.
Can you eat butterfly wings?
Butterfly wings are not a commonly eaten food part. They are covered in tiny scales, and removing the wings does not make an unidentified wild butterfly safe to consume.
How do you cook a butterfly?
There is no standard cooking method for butterflies in mainstream cooking. Frying or boiling a wild butterfly cannot be relied on to remove species-specific toxins or pesticide residues.
Are butterflies eaten in traditional cuisines?
Butterflies are not a common traditional food in most cuisines. In some regions, particular insects are eaten, but that does not mean all butterflies—or wild-caught specimens—are suitable for food.
Is it legal to catch butterflies to eat?
It depends on the species and local wildlife laws; some butterflies are protected. If you are considering butterfly as food, use only a legally sourced product raised specifically for consumption.
Can you eat a butterfly raw?
Eating a butterfly raw is not advisable. Raw consumption does not remove possible natural toxins, pesticide residues or microbial contamination, and the safety of an unidentified butterfly cannot be established by sight.
Can children eat butterflies?
Children should not eat wild or unidentified butterflies because their toxins and allergy risks are unpredictable. If a child swallows one and develops symptoms, seek urgent medical advice.
Butterfly Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
B12
0.05µg · 2% DV
B2
0.02mg · 2% DV
B3
0.09mg · 1% DV
B5
0.02mg · 0% DV
Minerals
Copper
0.01mg · 1% DV
Iron
0.14mg · 1% DV
Phosphorus
5mg · 1% DV
Zinc
0.04mg · 0% DV
Potassium ⭐
7.6mg · 0% DV
Sodium
2.4mg · 0% DV
Butterfly Glycemic Index
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
How to Burn Off Butterfly
To burn the 9 calories in 1 piece (whole) (2 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.
What is Butterfly?
Butterfly refers here to an insect eaten as food, rather than a sweet or pasta shape. It is an uncommon ingredient worldwide, though some communities include edible insects in local food traditions; the species and preparation vary, and it is not a routine food in most English-speaking kitchens.
Its flavour and texture depend on the species and how it is prepared. Where insects are eaten, they may be roasted or cooked into savoury dishes, while elsewhere a small tasting portion is more likely. Butterfly is described as protein-rich, with 50 g of protein per 100 g in the figures provided. If you try it, buy it from a reliable food supplier and serve it seasoned alongside vegetables or other familiar ingredients.
How Nutritious Is Butterfly?
Nutrient density
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.
Satiety score
Low
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.
Is Butterfly Processed?
NOVA 1
Unprocessed
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.
Does Butterfly Contain Allergens?
No known major allergens
Which Diets Is Butterfly Good For?
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
— Not suitable
Gluten-Free
✓ Suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
✓ Suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
✓ Suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
Butterfly Fat Profile
SATURATED
0.16g
MONOUNSATURATED
0.2g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.14g
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.