What Food Has 35 Calories? A Guide to Nutrient-Dense, Low-Calorie Choices

October 30, 2025 •

3 min read

A single medium plum contains approximately 35 calories, making it a perfect example of what food has 35 calories. This low-calorie count is common among many fruits and vegetables, which can be valuable for weight management and overall health.

Quick Summary

This guide explores various healthy, filling food options that contain around 35 calories per serving, including fruits, vegetables, and other simple snacks. It provides practical examples and tips for incorporating these nutrient-dense choices into a balanced diet.

Key Points

Clementines and plums contain about 35 calories per fruit: These small, convenient fruits are excellent for a quick, low-calorie snack.
100 grams of broccoli and eggplant are around 35 calories: These vegetables offer a high nutrient content for a very low number of calories, making them ideal for bulking up meals.
Air-popped popcorn is a fibrous 31-calorie snack: A single cup of plain, air-popped popcorn provides fiber and volume, aiding in feelings of fullness.
Focus on nutrient-dense foods for weight management: Choosing foods with high water and fiber content, like berries and cucumbers, can help manage appetite while providing essential nutrients.
Low-calorie options support overall health: Foods in the 35-calorie range often contain beneficial antioxidants and vitamins that contribute to a healthy diet.

Exploring Low-Calorie Foods: Beyond the 35-Calorie Mark

For individuals focusing on weight management or simply trying to eat healthier, finding satisfying, low-calorie foods is essential. While a specific target like 35 calories might seem restrictive, it represents a category of highly nutritious and filling snacks. These foods often have a high water and fiber content, which helps increase feelings of fullness without adding many calories. By understanding which foods fit this profile, you can make smarter choices throughout your day.

Fruits, Vegetables, and Simple Snacks Under 35 Calories

Many whole foods naturally fall into this low-calorie range. These options offer a nutritional punch of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for very few calories. Here is a selection of foods that provide approximately 35 calories or less per serving:

Fruits:
- Clementine: A single clementine, a citrus fruit similar to a small orange, typically has just 35 calories. It is also a great source of vitamin C.
- Plum: A single, small plum contains around 35 calories and offers a good dose of fiber.
- Strawberries: Approximately 100 grams of strawberries contains around 32 calories.
- Blueberries: A 100-gram serving of blueberries has about 32 calories and is rich in antioxidants.
- Watermelon: 100 grams of watermelon, a highly hydrating fruit, contains roughly 30 calories.
Vegetables:
- Broccoli: 100 grams of broccoli contains about 34 calories and is rich in fiber and vitamins.
- Cucumber: Primarily water, 100 grams of cucumber has only about 16 calories, making it one of the lowest-calorie vegetables.
- Eggplant: Boiled and drained eggplant provides about 35 calories per 100-gram serving.
- Spinach: This nutrient-dense leafy green offers only 23 calories per 100 grams.
Other Snacks:
- Air-popped popcorn: A single cup of plain, air-popped popcorn contains just 31 calories and is packed with fiber.
- Rice cake: A single rice cake can contain around 35 calories.
- Skim Milk: A 100-gram serving of skimmed milk contains about 35 calories.

The Nutritional Benefits of Low-Calorie Foods

Choosing foods that are low in calories but high in nutrients, often referred to as nutrient-dense foods, provides a range of health benefits. These foods typically contain significant amounts of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Fiber, for example, is crucial for digestive health and helps you feel full for longer, which is vital for managing weight. Many low-calorie fruits and vegetables also contain antioxidants that protect the body from cellular damage.

How to Incorporate 35-Calorie Foods into Your Diet

Integrating these low-calorie items into your daily meals can be simple and satisfying. Here are some ideas:

Snack Smart: Instead of reaching for a high-sugar snack, grab a handful of blueberries or a single plum when you feel peckish.
Enhance Salads: Boost the volume and nutritional value of your salads with a cup of fresh spinach or some sliced cucumber.
Prep Ahead: Wash and chop your favorite low-calorie vegetables like cucumber or bell peppers to have a quick, healthy snack on hand throughout the week.
Substitute Ingredients: Use shirataki noodles, which are nearly calorie-free, as a base for your dishes instead of regular pasta to significantly cut calories.
Flavor Water: Infuse your water with sliced fruits like clementine or berries to add flavor without extra calories.

Comparison Table: 35-Calorie Foods and Their Macronutrients


Food (100g serving)	Calories	Carbohydrates (g)	Fiber (g)	Protein (g)
Broccoli	34	6.64	2.6	2.82
Strawberries	32	7.68	2.0	0.67
Clementine	35	~9	~1.5	~0.9
Eggplant (boiled)	35	8.73	2.5	0.81
Skim Milk	35	~5	~0	~3.4

Note: Macronutrient values are approximate and can vary based on ripeness, preparation, and source. The calorie count for clementine and skim milk is per 100g, adjusted based on similar nutritional information available for reference.

Conclusion

Understanding what food has 35 calories helps unlock a world of healthy, satisfying options. Focusing on nutrient-dense foods like fruits and vegetables is a great strategy for managing weight while ensuring your body receives essential vitamins and minerals. Whether you choose a simple plum or a cup of air-popped popcorn, these low-calorie options prove that healthy eating can be both delicious and fulfilling.

Frequently Asked Questions

A clementine or a single plum are both excellent, portable snacks that contain approximately 35 calories. They require no preparation and are full of flavor.

Yes, many vegetables like broccoli and eggplant (100g serving) are highly nutrient-dense, meaning they offer a high amount of vitamins, minerals, and fiber for a very low calorie count.

Choosing a low-calorie, high-fiber or high-water-content snack can help you feel full and satisfied, reducing the likelihood of overeating on higher-calorie foods later.

A single rice cake and a 100-gram serving of skim milk are examples of non-produce foods with approximately 35 calories. Additionally, a cup of air-popped popcorn is around 31 calories.

Yes, for foods that are very low in calories per unit, such as cucumber (16 kcal per 100g), you can consume a larger portion. For example, you could have about 200 grams of cucumber and still be under 35 calories.

While it's less critical for very low-calorie items, mindful eating is always beneficial. For best results, consider the nutritional profile and how the snack fits into your overall daily intake, especially with slightly higher-calorie items like rice cakes.

Pairing low-calorie foods with a small amount of protein or healthy fat can increase satiety. For example, a plum paired with a small handful of almonds, or veggies dipped in a minimal amount of hummus, creates a more balanced snack.