How many calories are in Trader Joe’s jicama sticks?

Jicama is a root vegetable that originated in Mexico. It has a mild, sweet flavor that is often described as a cross between an apple and a potato. Jicama is low in calories and high in fiber, making it a healthy choice for snacking. Trader Joe’s sells peeled and cut jicama sticks that make a convenient grab-and-go snack.

Nutrition Facts for Trader Joe’s Jicama Sticks

According to the nutrition label on Trader Joe’s jicama sticks, the calorie and nutrient information per serving is:

  • Serving size: 1 oz (28g)
  • Calories: 20
  • Total Fat: 0g
  • Sodium: 0mg
  • Total Carbohydrate: 5g
  • Dietary Fiber: 2g
  • Sugars: 1g
  • Protein: 0g

As you can see, a 1 ounce serving of Trader Joe’s jicama sticks contains just 20 calories. There is minimal fat, sodium, and sugar. The majority of the carbohydrates come from dietary fiber. Jicama is an excellent source of fiber, providing 8% of the daily value per serving.

Calorie Count for Different Serving Sizes

The nutrition information provided is for a 1 ounce serving, but you may eat more or less than that in one snacking occasion. Here is the calorie count for different serving sizes of Trader Joe’s jicama sticks:

Serving Size Calories
1 oz (28g) 20
2 oz (56g) 40
3 oz (84g) 60
4 oz (112g) 80
5 oz (140g) 100
6 oz (168g) 120
7 oz (196g) 140
8 oz (224g) 160
9 oz (252g) 180
10 oz (280g) 200

As you can see, the calories add up slowly since jicama is such a low-calorie vegetable. Even a larger 10 ounce serving only contains 200 calories.

Calorie Density of Jicama

In addition to looking at total calories in different serving sizes, it can be helpful to look at the calorie density of a food. Calorie density is measured as the number of calories per gram of food. Foods with lower calorie density provide fewer calories per bite.

The calorie density of Trader Joe’s jicama sticks is:

  • 20 calories per 1 oz (28g)
  • 0.71 calories per gram

This is a very low calorie density, meaning you get a lot of food and fiber for very few calories. For comparison, here are the calorie densities of some other common foods:

Food Calories per Gram
Jicama 0.71
Carrots 0.41
Apple 0.52
Broccoli 0.34
Banana 0.89
Potato chips 5.4
Almonds 5.86
Cheddar cheese 4.1

As you can see, jicama is one of the lowest-calorie density foods. Choosing foods with low calorie density can help support a healthy diet and manage weight.

Reasons for Jicama’s Low Calorie Content

There are a few reasons why jicama contains so few calories per serving and has such a low calorie density:

  • It is high in water content – Over 90% of jicama is water, giving it a crisp texture while reducing calories.
  • Low in fat – There is no fat in jicama.
  • Low in sugar – Jicama contains around 5 grams of sugar per cup, which is low compared to many fruits.
  • High in fiber – The fiber adds bulk without adding calories.

The combination of high water content, minimal fat, low natural sugars, and abundant fiber all contribute to jicama’s low calorie profile.

Weight Loss Benefits

Due to its stellar nutrition stats, jicama can be a great addition to a weight loss diet. Some of the top benefits of adding jicama sticks to your diet for weight loss include:

  • Low-calorie – Being so low in calories means you can eat a good amount of jicama without consuming too many calories.
  • Filling fiber – The fiber in jicama can help you feel full and satisfied.
  • Crunchy texture – The crisp, crunchy texture provides sensory satisfaction for few calories.
  • Versatile – Jicama can be eaten raw, roasted, sautéed, and more.
  • Nutrient-dense – In addition to being low-calorie, jicama offers vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

When you are trying to manage your weight, all of the properties of jicama make it an excellent choice for snacking and adding to meals.

Tips for Enjoying Jicama Sticks

Here are some tips for incorporating Trader Joe’s jicama sticks and other jicama products into your diet:

Snacking

  • Enjoy jicama sticks on their own as a lower-calorie alternative to chips.
  • Dip jicama sticks in hummus, guacamole, salsa, or nut butters for added flavor.
  • Slice jicama sticks and eat them with carrot sticks, celery, peppers and other raw veggies.

Meals and Side Dishes

  • Add raw jicama slices to salads for extra crunch.
  • Shred or dice jicama and add it to slaws and tacos.
  • Roast diced jicama with seasonings as a starchy side dish.
  • Sauté jicama in stir fries and curry dishes.

Smoothies and Juices

  • Blend chopped jicama into smoothies for a fiber boost.
  • Juice jicama sticks along with fruits and veggies.

Nutrition Benefits Beyond Calories

While jicama is certainly appealing for its low calorie content, it also offers additional nutrition benefits:

Fiber

Jicama is an excellent source of fiber, with around 6 grams per cup. The fiber in jicama can help with:

  • Digestive health
  • Blood sugar control
  • Heart health
  • Weight management

Vitamin C

A cup of jicama provides around 20 mg of immune-boosting vitamin C. Some sources list even higher levels, closer to 30-40 mg per cup.

Antioxidants

Jicama contains various beneficial plant compounds and antioxidants, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and saponins.

Hydration

The high water content in jicama can help you meet your daily fluid needs.

Choosing and Storing Jicama

When shopping for jicama, look for firm, unblemished bulbs that feel heavy for their size. Smaller jicama tend to be more tender while larger ones can be fibrous.

Store fresh jicama in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. Cut pieces will last around 5 days refrigerated. Jicama sticks and other pre-cut jicama products found in the produce aisle will typically have shorter shelf lives of around 7-10 days.

You can also peel and slice fresh jicama and freeze it for several months. Frozen jicama may get mushy when thawed but can still be used for smoothies, soups, stews, and cooking.

Conclusion

Trader Joe’s jicama sticks provide a very healthy snacking option at only 20 calories per serving. Jicama is low in calories, low in sugar, virtually fat-free, high in fiber, crunchy, versatile, and nutritious. With all of these benefits, jicama is a stellar addition to a balanced diet, especially for weight loss. Enjoy Trader Joe’s jicama sticks on their own or paired with dips and other vegetables for a tasty, guilt-free snack.

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