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Milk thistle seeds Calories
High in fiber, contains healthy fats
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
Quick answer
1 tablespoon (whole) of Milk thistle seeds (10 g) has 49 calories. That works out to 490 calories per 100 g. It contains 0.8 g of carbs, 2.1 g of protein, 3.1 g of fat and 3.8 g of fiber. Its 2.4 mg of Vitamin E covers 16% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 15 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Milk thistle seeds Nutrition Facts
Selected: 1 tablespoon (whole) · 10 g
49
KCAL / 10G
Carbs
0.8g
· 0% DV
Protein
2.1g
· 4% DV
Fat
3.1g
· 4% DV
Fiber
3.8g
· 14% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 8% · Protein 21% · Fat 71%
Milk thistle seeds nutrition facts table · 1 tablespoon (whole) (10 g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 49 kcal | |
| Total fat | 3.1 g | 4% |
| Saturated fat | 0.38 g | 2% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 1.2 mg | 0% |
| Total carbohydrate | 0.8 g | 0% |
| Fiber | 3.8 g | 14% |
| Protein | 2.1 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.
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How Many Calories in 1 Tablespoon of Milk thistle seeds?
| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon (whole) | 10 g | 49 kcal |
| 1 teaspoon (whole) | 3 g | 15 kcal |
| 1 serving (small) | 15 g | 74 kcal |
| 2 tablespoon (double) | 20 g | 98 kcal |
| 1 ounce (whole) | 28 g | 137 kcal |
| 1 serving (medium) | 30 g | 147 kcal |
| 0.25 cup (quarter) | 35 g | 172 kcal |
| ½ cup (half) | 70 g | 343 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 490 kcal |
Calculated from 490 calories per 100 g.
Frequently Asked Questions About Milk thistle seeds
What are milk thistle seeds used for?
Milk thistle seeds are eaten as a food and traditionally used in herbal preparations, but they are not proven to prevent or treat disease. Research on health effects often concerns concentrated extracts rather than ordinary seeds.
Do milk thistle seeds detox or cleanse the liver?
No, milk thistle seeds have not been shown to detox or cleanse the liver. Most clinical research has examined concentrated silymarin products, so its findings cannot automatically be applied to eating the seeds.
How do you eat milk thistle seeds?
Grind milk thistle seeds and stir them into porridge, yogurt, or a smoothie, or sprinkle them over a meal. Grinding breaks up their tough outer covering and makes them easier to use in food.
Can you eat milk thistle seeds raw?
Yes, milk thistle seeds can be eaten without cooking. Their firm texture makes whole seeds less convenient to chew, so many people grind them or add them to cooked foods instead.
How do you make tea from milk thistle seeds?
Crush milk thistle seeds, pour hot water over them, and let them steep before straining. Silymarin does not dissolve readily in water, so seed tea should not be assumed to work like a concentrated extract.
Are milk thistle seeds the same as milk thistle supplements?
No, whole milk thistle seeds are not equivalent to supplements. Supplements may concentrate silymarin, while seeds also provide fiber and fats; their amounts and effects are therefore not interchangeable.
Should milk thistle seeds be ground before eating?
Grinding milk thistle seeds is useful because their outer covering is firm and whole seeds can be awkward to chew. Grind a small amount shortly before use to keep it fresh.
How many milk thistle seeds should you eat per day?
There is no established daily dose of milk thistle seeds for treating or preventing illness. A typical food serving is about one tablespoon, but that is not a medically proven dosage.
What are the side effects of milk thistle seeds?
Milk thistle seeds may cause digestive upset or an allergic reaction in some people. Anyone allergic to plants in the daisy family should be cautious, as milk thistle belongs to that family.
How should you store milk thistle seeds?
Keep milk thistle seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from light. Ground seeds lose freshness sooner, so grind only what you plan to use.
Milk thistle seeds Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
Vitamin E
2.4mg · 16% DV
B6
0.06mg · 4% DV
B1
0.03mg · 3% DV
B3
0.46mg · 3% DV
Minerals
Phosphorus
95mg · 14% DV
Copper
0.12mg · 13% DV
Manganese
0.24mg · 10% DV
Magnesium
33mg · 8% DV
Potassium ⭐
82mg · 2% DV
Sodium
1.2mg · 0% DV
Milk thistle seeds Glycemic Index
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
How to Burn Off Milk thistle seeds
To burn the 49 calories in 1 tablespoon (whole) (10 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 Milk thistle seeds?
Milk thistle seeds come from a prickly plant native to the Mediterranean region. They are small and firm, with a gently earthy, slightly bitter flavour; because of their tough outer coating, they are often crushed or ground before use.
In Mediterranean cooking and in kitchens elsewhere, ground seeds can be stirred into porridge, yoghurt or smoothies, while crushed seeds are also used to make an herbal infusion. Their flavour is fairly assertive on its own, so pairing them with fruit or creamy foods can make them easier to enjoy. They are notably high in fibre, with 38 g per 100 g. Try a small spoonful mixed into breakfast foods, and drink enough liquid alongside fibre-rich ingredients.
How Nutritious Is Milk thistle seeds?
Nutrient density
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 Milk thistle 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 Milk thistle seeds Contain Allergens?
No known major allergens
Which Diets Is Milk thistle 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
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
Milk thistle seeds Fat Profile
SATURATED
0.38g
MONOUNSATURATED
0.72g
POLYUNSATURATED
1.95g
Omega 6:3 ratio 95:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (95:1).
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.