Calories in Jam
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Strawberry · Data verified by CaloriesCalc
Source: USDA FoodData Central · Strawberry · Data verified by CaloriesCalc
* % Daily Value based on a 2,000 kcal diet.
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar | 62g | High | |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 77mg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 14mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 0.4mg | 2% | |
| Magnesium | 4mg | 1% | |
| Sodium | 32mg | 1% | |
| Phosphorus | 10mg | 1% | |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.03mg | 2% | |
| Riboflavin | 0.03mg | 2% |
| Weight | Calories | Protein | Net Carbs | Fat |
|---|
Standard strawberry jam. GI ~51. Reduced-sugar jam: ~160 kcal, 36g sugar. 100% fruit spread: ~210 kcal. Jam on toast: toast (~75 kcal) + 1 tbsp jam (56 kcal) = 131 kcal.
Making jam involves heating fruit to 104°C with large amounts of sugar. This process destroys most heat-sensitive vitamins (vitamin C reduced by 50-80%) and degrades polyphenol antioxidants. The resulting product retains some pectin, potassium, and trace minerals, but is primarily sugar with fruit flavour.
Jam's setting agent is pectin — a soluble fiber. While pectin has cholesterol-lowering and gut health benefits, the amount in a typical jam serving (1 tablespoon) is approximately 0.2g — too low to provide meaningful benefits. Reduced-sugar jams (which need more pectin to set) actually have slightly more pectin.
Reduced-sugar jam (~160 kcal, 36g sugar) achieves lower calorie content by using more pectin and sugar substitutes. 100% fruit spreads have no added sugar but still contain concentrated fruit sugars (48g). Chia seed jam is the most nutritious alternative: ~80 kcal, 2-3g fiber, no added sugar, retaining original fruit nutrients.
A thin scrape (10g, 28 kcal) saves 28 kcal per day vs a full tablespoon. Choosing reduced-sugar jam saves 19 kcal per tablespoon — equivalent to ~2kg fat loss potential over a year if maintained daily. Small, consistent reductions in condiment use compound significantly over time.
Nutrition values from USDA FoodData Central. Not medical advice.