Ready & Packaged Foods
All →Vegetables & Legumes
All →Desserts & Confectionery
All →Meat & Protein
All →Grains & Bakery
All →Beverages
All →Milk & Dairy
All →
Nigella Seeds Calories
Nigella seeds are rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, and minerals.
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
Quick answer
1 teaspoon (small) of Nigella Seeds (3 g) has 10 calories. That works out to 345 calories per 100 g. It contains 1.3 g of carbs, 0.5 g of protein, 0.5 g of fat and 0.3 g of fiber. Its glycemic index is 35 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Nigella Seeds Nutrition Facts
Selected: 1 teaspoon (small) · 3 g
10
KCAL / 3G
Carbs
1.3g
· 0% DV
Protein
0.5g
· 1% DV
Fat
0.5g
· 1% DV
Fiber
0.3g
· 1% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 44% · Protein 17% · Fat 39%
Nigella Seeds nutrition facts table · 1 teaspoon (small) (3 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 10 kcal | |
| Total fat | 0.5 g | 1% |
| Saturated fat | 0.08 g | 0% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 2.7 mg | 0% |
| Total carbohydrate | 1.3 g | 0% |
| Fiber | 0.3 g | 1% |
| Protein | 0.5 g | 1% |
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
- Get your daily calorie target
- Snap your meal, log it in seconds
- See every vitamin and mineral
📸 Scan the code to get the app free.
How Many Calories in 1 Small Teaspoon of Nigella Seeds?
| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon (small) | 3 g | 10 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (small) | 6 g | 21 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (medium) | 9 g | 31 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (large) | 12 g | 41 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (jumbo) | 15 g | 52 kcal |
| 1 pack (mini) | 20 g | 69 kcal |
| 1 pack (medium) | 50 g | 173 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 345 kcal |
| 1 pack (large) | 100 g | 345 kcal |
| 1 cup (jumbo) | 120 g | 414 kcal |
Calculated from 345 calories per 100 g.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nigella Seeds
What are nigella seeds used for?
Nigella seeds are used as a spice in breads, curries, lentils, vegetables, and salads. Their savory, peppery flavor works especially well when sprinkled over flatbreads or stirred into a dish near the end of cooking.
Are nigella seeds the same as black cumin?
Nigella seeds are often called black cumin, but they are not the same as cumin or true black cumin, which come from different plants. If a recipe names one of those spices, nigella seeds will give it a different flavor.
What do nigella seeds taste like?
Nigella seeds taste savory and slightly peppery, with notes often compared to onion or oregano. Their flavor is distinctive rather than hot, so they are usually used as an accent instead of a direct replacement for ordinary cumin.
Are nigella seeds used on naan bread?
Yes, nigella seeds are a common topping for naan and other flatbreads. Sprinkle them over the dough before baking, pressing lightly so they stick; they add a savory aroma and a little crunch.
Can you eat nigella seeds raw?
Yes, nigella seeds can be eaten raw, for example sprinkled over yogurt, salads, or bread. Toasting them briefly in a dry pan brings out a stronger aroma, but avoid prolonged heating, which can make them taste bitter.
Are nigella seeds the same as black sesame seeds?
No. Nigella seeds and black sesame seeds come from different plants and taste different: nigella is savory and peppery, while black sesame has a nuttier flavor. Their appearance can be similar, but they are not interchangeable in every recipe.
Can nigella seeds replace sesame seeds in a recipe?
Sometimes, but nigella seeds make a recipe more savory and peppery, while sesame seeds add a nutty taste. They work well as a bread topping or garnish, but may noticeably change the flavor of sweets and sesame-based sauces.
Should you grind nigella seeds before eating them?
No, you do not need to grind nigella seeds; they are commonly used whole. Lightly crushing them just before use releases more aroma, while grinding a large amount ahead of time can cause the spice to lose freshness sooner.
How should you store nigella seeds?
Store nigella seeds in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry place away from light. Keeping them whole helps preserve their flavor; protect them from moisture and heat, which can make spices lose their aroma faster.
Are nigella seeds good for you?
Nigella seeds provide healthy fats and antioxidant compounds, and they can add flavor to meals in small amounts. They are a useful culinary ingredient, but eating them is not a proven way to prevent or treat illness.
Nigella Seeds Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
B1
0.02mg · 2% DV
B6
0.02mg · 1% DV
B3
0.14mg · 1% DV
Vitamin E
0.12mg · 1% DV
Minerals
Copper
0.03mg · 3% DV
Calcium
27mg · 3% DV
Manganese
0.05mg · 2% DV
Magnesium
7.95mg · 2% DV
Potassium ⭐
14mg · 0% DV
Sodium
2.7mg · 0% DV
Nigella Seeds Glycemic Index
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
How to Burn Off Nigella Seeds
To burn the 10 calories in 1 teaspoon (small) (3 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 Nigella Seeds?
Nigella Seeds are the small, dark seeds of a flowering plant, used as a spice across South Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Their flavour is gently bitter and peppery, with an earthy, onion-like note, and they add a pleasant crunch. In Turkey and other parts of the Mediterranean, they are often sprinkled over breads and savoury pastries; in South Asian cooking, they may season vegetables, lentils and pickles.
They provide fibre, plant protein and fats, along with antioxidants and minerals, so a little can add plenty of flavour. Try them on flatbread, roasted vegetables or yoghurt; briefly crushing the seeds before use brings out their aroma.
How Nutritious Is Nigella Seeds?
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
High
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 Nigella Seeds Processed?
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.
Does Nigella Seeds Contain Allergens?
No known major allergens
Which Diets Is Nigella Seeds Good For?
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
Nigella Seeds Fat Profile
SATURATED
0.08g
MONOUNSATURATED
0.11g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.26g
Omega 6:3 ratio 12:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (12:1).
Compare Nigella Seeds
Foods Similar to Nigella Seeds
Have another question about Nigella Seeds?
Ask the AI nutrition coach — calories, portions, alternatives and more, answered in seconds in the app.
Scan calories with your camera
Instant AI nutrition analysis
Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.