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Bitter Cik is a low-calorie, fiber-rich vegetable high in vitamins.
In season: Summer
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 piece (medium) of Bitter Cik (80 g) has 14 calories. That works out to 17 calories per 100 g. It contains 3 g of carbs, 0.8 g of protein, 0.2 g of fat and 2.2 g of fiber. Its 67.2 mg of Vitamin C covers 75% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 18 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Selected: 1 piece (medium) · 80 g
14
KCAL / 80G
Carbs
3g
· 1% DV
Protein
0.8g
· 2% DV
Fat
0.2g
· 0% DV
Fiber
2.2g
· 8% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 71% · Protein 19% · Fat 10%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 14 kcal | |
| Total fat | 0.2 g | 0% |
| Saturated fat | 0.02 g | 0% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 4 mg | 0% |
| Total carbohydrate | 3 g | 1% |
| Fiber | 2.2 g | 8% |
| Protein | 0.8 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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| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 piece (medium) | 80 g | 14 kcal |
| 1 slice (thin) | 30 g | 5 kcal |
| 1 piece (small) | 50 g | 9 kcal |
| 1 slice (thick) | 60 g | 10 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 80 g | 14 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 17 kcal |
| 1 cup (chopped) | 100 g | 17 kcal |
| 1 piece (large) | 120 g | 20 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 150 g | 26 kcal |
Calculated from 17 calories per 100 g.
Bitter Cik has a distinctly bitter, vegetal taste, and the bitterness can become stronger as the vegetable matures. Salting sliced pieces before cooking and pairing them with onion, egg, or strongly flavored spices can make the flavor more balanced.
To soften Bitter Cik's bitterness, scrape out the pith and seeds, salt the slices, then rinse and pat them dry. Stir-fry or sauté them with onion; avoid overcooking, which can make the texture unpleasantly soft.
Bitter Cik is used in savory dishes rather than as a sweet vegetable. It can be stir-fried, added to curries, or hollowed out and stuffed; its strong taste works well with aromatics and flavorful fillings.
Yes, Bitter Cik can be eaten raw, but its bitterness is sharper and its texture firmer than when cooked. Wash it well, slice it thinly, and try a small amount in a salad; remove the pith if you prefer a milder taste.
Choose Bitter Cik that feels firm and looks fresh, without soft spots, dark blemishes, or a shriveled surface. Color varies by variety, so firmness and an absence of damage are more useful signs than color alone.
Keep Bitter Cik dry and unwashed in a produce bag in the refrigerator, and wash it just before cooking. Use it within a few days, before it starts to soften or develop dark, wet-looking spots.
Yes, Bitter Cik can be frozen, though thawed pieces become softer and are best used in cooked dishes. Slice and briefly blanch the pieces, cool and dry them, then freeze them in an airtight container.
The small, soft seeds in young Bitter Cik are generally edible. In mature pieces, the seeds and surrounding pith may become tough and more bitter, so scoop them out before cooking if they are firm.
People with diabetes can eat Bitter Cik as a vegetable, but should not rely on it to lower blood sugar. It may affect blood glucose, particularly alongside glucose-lowering medication, so discuss frequent or concentrated use with your clinician.
Eating Bitter Cik in an ordinary meal is different from taking large amounts or concentrated preparations. Avoid using it medicinally or in high amounts during pregnancy, and ask your healthcare professional if you are considering regular use.
Vitamins
Vitamin C
67.2mg · 75% DV
Vitamin A
376.8µg · 42% DV
Folate
57.6µg · 14% DV
Vitamin K
3.84µg · 3% DV
Minerals
Potassium ⭐
237mg · 7% DV
Phosphorus
25mg · 4% DV
Magnesium
14mg · 3% DV
Manganese
0.07mg · 3% DV
Sodium
4mg · 0% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 14 calories in 1 piece (medium) (80 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 Cik is a bitter-tasting vegetable, but the name does not identify a widely established variety or a clear place of origin, so it is best not to assign it a specific culinary tradition. Its sharp flavour can be balanced in a cooked dish: try sautéing or roasting it with other vegetables, or serve it with a cooling, mild accompaniment. Start with a small amount if you are unsure how much bitterness you enjoy.
It is low in calories and provides fibre and vitamins, making it a useful choice for a light vegetable-based meal. Pair it with grains or beans for a more substantial plate, or keep the preparation simple with modest added oil.
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 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.
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
✓ Suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
0.02g
MONOUNSATURATED
0.02g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.02g
Omega 6:3 ratio 2:1
Below the ideal 4:1 — a good omega balance.
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.