Prepared and Processed / Pastries and Desserts
Bicho-bicho
PhilFCT
Macronutrients
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size: 100g |
| Calories | 376kcal / 2530kcal (14%) |
Macronutrients
Protein | 7.4 g/ 71g (10%) | ||||||
Total Fat | 14 g/ 42g (33%) | ||||||
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Total Carbs | 55.2 g/ 348g (15%) | ||||||
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Vitamins
Vit A | 0 mcg RAE/ 700mcg RAE (0%) |
Vit B1 | 0.1 mg/ 1mg (8%) |
Vit B2 | 0.1 mg/ 1mg (7%) |
Vit B3 | 1.9 mg NE/ 16mg NE (11%) |
Vit C | 0 mg/ 70mg (0%) |
Minerals
Calcium | 39 mg/ 750mg (5%) |
Phosphorus | 79 mg/ 700mg (11%) |
Iron | 3.6 mg/ 12mg (30%) source |
Sodium | 390 mg/ 1500mg (26%) |
What is this food?
Bicho-bicho is a sweet Filipino snack made from small fried dough pieces, usually coated or mixed with sugar (sometimes with a bit of syrup), giving it a chewy, sweet texture.
Why it matters to health
Bicho-bicho can be a quick energy snack, but per 100 g it’s high in calories (376 kcal) and carbohydrates (55.2 g), with high sugar (33.4 g). It also has fat (14 g) with saturated fat (3.6 g) and sodium (390 mg). Eating it often or in big portions may make it harder to balance your daily intake—especially since many Filipinos already have 3 full meals plus 1–2 snacks a day. The good part: it’s not a “bad” food—just best to enjoy it in smaller portions and not every day, and pair it with something that adds fiber and protein.
Healthier tips
- Portion guide: keep it to a small serving (about a handful) instead of a full bowl, especially if you’re having it as a snack.
- Balance your snack: pair bicho-bicho with water or unsweetened tea, and add a side like fruit (banana, apple, or orange) or plain yogurt if available.
- Watch frequency: enjoy it occasionally, not daily—rotate with other snacks like fruit, nuts (small portion), or boiled eggs.
- Choose better prep when possible: if you’re buying, look for options that are less oily or less syrupy.
- Plan around it: if you eat bicho-bicho, try to keep your other snack that day lighter (less sweet, less fried).
Common Filipino dishes
Bicho-bicho, Turon, Banana cue, Palitaw, Suman, Bibingka
Images
Disclaimer
Juan Nutrisyon provides educational nutrition information to help users better understand the foods they eat. Nutrient values are sourced from reputable databases including the Philippine Food Composition Tables (FCT) and USDA FoodData Central. Calculation methods for estimating nutrients across multiple foods have been reviewed by a licensed dietitian. The information provided is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, Juan Nutrisyon has not yet undergone formal clinical validation studies and should not replace personalized medical advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
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