Flaxseed is derived from flax, which was originally grown in ancient Egypt and China. A look back at Indian history also shows us that flax was used in Ayurvedic medicines for several millennia. Flaxseed can be taken today in various forms, right from seeds and powder to capsules and tablets. There is also flaxseed flour available for use in everyday food items. No matter what form you wish to consume flaxseed in, you need to have a fair idea about the number of calories in flaxseed. Interestingly, most of the calories in flaxseed comes from healthy fats.
The calories in 1 tablespoon of flaxseed comes up to around 55 calories. And if you are looking for the number of calories in 100 grams of flaxseed, that would be around 550 calories. Apart from this, flaxseeds also have fat, protein, and some other vitamins and minerals. Check out the detailed nutrition profile of flaxseeds below.
Nutrients in 100 grams of flaxseed |
Amount or quantity |
Calories |
550 |
Saturated fat |
3.8 grams |
Polyunsaturated fat |
30 grams |
Monounsaturated fat |
7.8 grams |
Cholesterol |
0 milligrams |
Sodium |
31 milligrams |
Potassium |
840 milligrams |
Carbohydrates |
30 grams |
Fiber |
28 grams |
Sugars |
1.6 grams |
Protein |
19 grams |
Vitamin C |
1% of the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) |
Calcium |
20% of the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) |
Iron |
33% of the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) |
Since flaxseed can be consumed in so many different ways, it is easy to add it to your everyday foods. You can add some seeds to your salad, throw in some flaxseed powder in your smoothie, or even add it to your chapati flour. It can also be used to bake chips and muffins. So, given the wide range of common food items that can be made using flaxseed, it is important to note that the calorie count will also vary based on the other ingredients used.
Food items made with flaxseed |
Number of calories |
Flaxseed oil (1 tablespoon) |
120 |
Flaxseed meal (13 grams) |
70 |
Flaxseed muffin (132 grams) |
320 |
Flaxseed oatmeal (237 grams) |
180 |
Flaxseed paleo chips (4 grams) |
10 |
Flaxseed oatmeal pancakes (104 grams) |
190 |
Flaxseed tortilla chips (1 chip) |
15 |
Light flaxseed oil (1 tablespoon) |
50 |
As you’ve seen above, there are many different ways in which flaxseed can be consumed. And because of this, there is no specific guideline for the daily recommended intake of flaxseeds. But based on its calorie count and the other nutritional content, nutrition and health experts advise limiting your consumption of flaxseed to 1 or 2 tablespoons for good health.
Flaxseed is often included in healthy diet plans, mainly because it offers so many health benefits. In addition to this, flaxseed also helps make a diet more balanced, and a balanced diet is one of the main ways to maintain a healthy BMI. It also keeps your body’s Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) at the right levels.
Furthermore, having good BMI and BMR levels also makes it easier for you to purchase a health insurance cover at affordable premiums. Being overweight or obese may put you at risk of developing health complications, and this could lead to a rise in health insurance premiums.
And all things considered, it is always a good idea to get a health insurance plan when you are young and healthy, since the risk is lower and therefore, the cover will be more affordable. If you are looking for the best health insurance plans, you can always head to Bajaj Markets and buy a health cover to secure your finances today.
Yes, flax seeds can be useful for weight loss, as long as you combine them with a healthy diet and a good exercise routine.
There are around 550 calories in 1 cup of flaxseed weighing 100 grams.
Flaxseed comes with many health benefits such as reduced risk of cancer and heart disease, improved blood sugar and general immunity boost.
There are 120 calories in one tablespoon of flaxseed oil.
Yes, it is definitely safe to consume flaxseed everyday, as long as you consume it within the recommended limits.