Eggplant Nutrition
A Quick Rundown Of Eggplant Nutrition
When it comes to eggplant, nutrition is almost as important as flavor and texture. Those who replace such ingredients as veal and chicken with eggplant will agree that not only does the eggplant give a fresher and more interesting taste to their dishes, but that they feel better about using a fruit as their main meal builder. Eggplant nutrition is usually measured in 1 to 1 ¼ cup increments, so be sure that you calculate your overall numbers depending on how far over the recommended serving allowance you decide to go. I know, personally, when eggplant is cooked correctly, it is quite possible for me to overindulge by twice as much, so don’t feel bad about getting your fill, in moderation of course.
For our first eggplant nutrition subject, we will touch on calories. When dealing with 1 ¼ cups of peeled, diced, fresh eggplant you will be offered approximately 24 calories. This number, of course, can change drastically when your eggplant is cooked with oils, butter, or grease, so be sure to keep your eggplant nutrition as pure as possible if you are trying to watch your diet and calorie intake. Frying eggplant can add about 200 calories per slice to your plate, making a greasy hamburger seem more healthful at times. As with all things, you will need to be careful and modify your cooking techniques according to your specific needs and goals.
Eggplant nutrition includes a good dose of vitamin C, offering 1.8 grams of this valuable nutrient per 1 cup serving. This isn’t a great amount, but it certainly can help you to reach your proper vitamin levels. Another important factor when weighing eggplant nutrition is the fact that they have absolutely no fat. There is no trans fat, no saturated fat, no mono or poly fat content whatsoever in any type of eggplant. Along with this wonderful attribute, the eggplant also contains zero cholesterol. This tasty ingredient is a fruit in true, and as such carries a great amount of benefit when prepared and consumed correctly.
Eggplant nutrition includes 6 grams of carbohydrate, 3 grams of fiber, 1 gram of protein, and 2 milligrams of sodium per 1 cup serving. They also carry a bitter alkaloid which can give them a sour or unpleasant flavor. In order to avoid this issue, you will want to generously salt your eggplant cubes or slices and allow them to sit for at least 20 minutes. Once this time is up, you can rinse them thoroughly with cold water and gently wring out any excess moisture. Pat them dry with a clean towel before cooking them to your taste, and enjoy your eggplant, nutrition and all.