Foraged Foods / Edible Wild Plants
Seaweed, balbalulang
PhilFCT
Macronutrients
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size: 100g |
| Calories | 23kcal / 2530kcal (0.91%) low |
Macronutrients
Protein | 0.4 g/ 71g (0.56%) | ||
Total Fat | 0.3 g/ 42g (0.71%) low | ||
| |||
Total Carbs | 4.6 g/ 348g (1%) | ||
Vitamins
Vit A | 0 mcg RAE/ 700mcg RAE (0%) |
Vit B1 | 0 mg/ 1mg (0%) |
Vit B2 | 0.03 mg/ 1mg (2%) |
Vit B3 | 0.2 mg NE/ 16mg NE (1%) |
Vit C | 0 mg/ 70mg (0%) |
Minerals
Calcium | 649 mg/ 750mg (86%) high |
Phosphorus | 22 mg/ 700mg (3%) |
Iron | 44.5 mg/ 12mg (370%) high |
What is this food?
Seaweed, balbalulang (a type of sea vegetable). It’s usually eaten as a side dish or mixed into meals, and it’s naturally low in calories.
Why it matters to health
Balbalulang is a good add-on for meals because it’s light in calories (about 23 kcal per 100 g) and has very little fat and no cholesterol. It also provides some carbohydrates (about 4.6 g per 100 g), which can help round out your plate when paired with protein and rice or other carbs. Since it’s a sea vegetable, it can also bring useful minerals and fiber (often present in seaweeds), which supports better fullness and digestion—especially helpful if you’re building balanced meals.
Healthier tips
- Use it as a vegetable/side for your 3 full meals (e.g., add to soups, salads, or stir-fries).
- Pair it with protein (fish, chicken, tofu, eggs) and a sensible serving of rice or other carbs.
- If it’s prepared with lots of salt (like some seaweed snacks), choose versions that are less salty or balance it with plain sides and plenty of water.
- For snacks, keep seaweed as a small portion and combine with protein (e.g., egg or nuts) for better satiety.
Common Filipino dishes
Seaweed salad, Ginisang balbalulang, Tinola with seaweed, Miso soup with seaweed, Seaweed with rice and fish, Seaweed stir-fry
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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