Ready & Packaged Foods
All →Vegetables & Legumes
All →Desserts & Confectionery
All →Meat & Protein
All →Grains & Bakery
All →Beverages
All →Milk & Dairy
All →
Silkworm Calories
High in protein, iron, and healthy fats
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
Quick answer
100 g of Silkworm has 212 calories. It contains 2.2 g of carbs, 15.7 g of protein, 15.1 g of fat and 0 g of fiber. Its 210 mg of Phosphorus covers 30% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 1 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Silkworm Nutrition Facts
Selected: 100 g
212
KCAL / 100G
Carbs
2.2g
· 1% DV
Protein
15.7g
· 31% DV
Fat
15.1g
· 19% 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 4% · Protein 30% · Fat 66%
Silkworm nutrition facts table · 100 g
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 212 kcal | |
| Total fat | 15.1 g | 19% |
| Saturated fat | 3.5 g | 18% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 38 mg | 2% |
| Total carbohydrate | 2.2 g | 1% |
| Fiber | 0 g | 0% |
| Protein | 15.7 g | 31% |
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 Serving of Silkworm?
| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 serving (medium) | 100 g | 212 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (whole) | 12 g | 25 kcal |
| 2 tablespoon (whole) | 24 g | 51 kcal |
| 1 ounce (small) | 28 g | 59 kcal |
| 1 piece (small) | 50 g | 106 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 212 kcal |
| 1 cup (whole) | 130 g | 276 kcal |
| 1 serving (large) | 150 g | 318 kcal |
Calculated from 212 calories per 100 g.
Frequently Asked Questions About Silkworm
Are silkworms edible?
Yes, silkworms are edible, and the stage most commonly eaten is the pupa inside the cocoon. Choose silkworms sold specifically as food, since insects raised for silk production may not be handled for eating.
What do silkworms taste like?
Silkworm pupae are often described as earthy and mildly nutty, with a soft or slightly chewy texture. Their flavor changes with preparation: boiling and seasoning, for example, produces a different result from frying.
How do you cook silkworms?
Silkworm pupae can be boiled or pan-cooked until thoroughly heated, then seasoned or added to a dish. Use a food-grade product and follow its package directions if available; do not eat the pupae raw.
Are silkworms and silkworm pupae the same thing?
No. A silkworm is the larval caterpillar that feeds and spins a cocoon; the pupa is the next life stage inside that cocoon. Silkworm pupae, rather than the silk fibers, are commonly eaten.
What do silkworms eat?
Silkworm larvae naturally feed on mulberry leaves. If you are choosing silkworms to eat, buy food-grade pupae from a reliable source rather than assuming insects raised for silk are suitable for cooking.
In which countries are silkworms eaten?
Silkworm pupae are eaten in parts of East and Southeast Asia, including Korea, China, and Thailand. In Korea, boiled pupae called beondegi are a familiar traditional snack.
Are silkworms good for you?
Silkworm pupae provide protein, iron, and fats, making them a nutrient-dense food. Their benefits depend on the overall meal and preparation; heavily salted or fried versions can add substantial sodium or fat.
Can you eat silkworms raw?
No, eating silkworms raw is not recommended. Thorough cooking lowers the risk from harmful microorganisms, and the insects should be handled and stored as food before they are prepared.
Can people with shellfish allergies eat silkworms?
People with shellfish allergies may also react to silkworms because some insect proteins can cross-react with shellfish allergens. Avoid eating silkworms if you have this allergy unless your clinician has specifically assessed your risk.
How should silkworm pupae be stored?
Keep fresh silkworm pupae refrigerated in a covered container and cook them promptly. Refrigerate cooked leftovers in a sealed container after they have cooled; do not leave them sitting at room temperature for an extended period.
Silkworm Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins
B12
0.7µg · 29% DV
Biotin
6µg · 20% DV
B2
0.22mg · 17% DV
B3
1.9mg · 12% DV
Minerals
Phosphorus
210mg · 30% DV
Copper
0.24mg · 27% DV
Selenium
12µg · 22% DV
Iron
3.6mg · 20% DV
Potassium ⭐
290mg · 9% DV
Sodium
38mg · 2% DV
Silkworm Glycemic Index
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
How to Burn Off Silkworm
To burn the 212 calories in 100 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 Silkworm?
Silkworms are the larval stage of the domesticated silk moth; the form eaten as food is usually the pupa taken from the cocoon. They are not an everyday ingredient in most English-speaking countries, but are found in some East Asian food traditions, including in China and Korea.
They may be boiled, seasoned or pan-fried and served as a snack or alongside a meal. Their flavour is often described as earthy, with a texture that can be tender or crisp depending on how they are cooked. Silkworms provide protein, iron and fat; a 100 g serving has 15.7 g of protein. Try them with citrus, chilli and vegetables, or use little added oil for a lighter preparation.
How Nutritious Is Silkworm?
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
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.
Is Silkworm 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 Silkworm Contain Allergens?
No known major allergens
Which Diets Is Silkworm Good For?
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
— Not suitable
Gluten-Free
✓ Suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
— Not suitable
Paleo
✓ Suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
✓ Suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
Silkworm Fat Profile
SATURATED
3.5g
MONOUNSATURATED
5.1g
POLYUNSATURATED
2.8g
Omega 6:3 ratio 13.3:1
Above the ideal 4:1 (13.3:1).
Compare Silkworm
Foods Similar to Silkworm
Have another question about Silkworm?
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.