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Bulgur, cooked

Grains Per 100 g · Per 100g serving
Contains: 🌾 Wheat

Bulgur, cooked is a grain at 83.0 calories per 100g. It is a good source of Manganese, providing 26% of the Daily Value per 100g. This grain is a useful source of fiber, virtually fat-free. Grains are a primary source of carbohydrates, B vitamins, and minerals. Whole grains retain the bran and germ, providing substantially more fiber and micronutrients than refined grains. Our database tracks 82 nutrients for this food, plus glycemic index, insulin index, environmental footprint data.

83.0
Calories
kcal
3.1
Protein
g
0.24
Fat
g
18.6
Carbs
g
4.5
Fiber
g

Top Nutrients

💎
Manganese
0.61 mg
26% DV
💪
Carbohydrate
18.6 g
14% DV
💎
Iron
0.96 mg
12% DV

Data for 82 of 150 tracked nutrients

Nutrient Fingerprint

How this food scores across key nutrient categories, as a percentage of the daily recommended value per 100 g. Based on USDA DRIs for adults.

Complete Nutrient Profile

Macronutrients 9
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Water SR77.8g
2%
Calories SR83.0kcal
Energy (kJ) SR347kj
Protein SR3.1g
6%
Total Fat SR0.24g
Carbohydrate SR18.6g
14%
Fiber SR4.5g
12%
Total Sugars SR0.10g
Ash SR0.34g
Minerals 10
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Calcium SR10.0mg
1%
Iron SR0.96mg
12%
Magnesium SR32.0mg
8%
Phosphorus SR40.0mg
6%
Potassium SR68.0mg
2%
Sodium SR5.0mg
0%
Zinc SR0.57mg
5%
Copper SR0.07mg
8%
Manganese SR0.61mg
26%
Selenium SR0.60µg
1%
Vitamins 25
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Vitamin A (RAE) SR2.0µg
0%
Vitamin A (IU) SR0IU
Retinol SR0µg
Beta-Carotene SR1.0µg
Alpha-Carotene SR0µg
Beta-Cryptoxanthin SR0µg
Lycopene SR0µg
Lutein + Zeaxanthin SR54.0µg
Vitamin C SR0mg
Vitamin D SR0µg
Vitamin D (IU) SR0IU
Vitamin E SR0.01mg
0%
Vitamin K1 SR0.50µg
0%
Thiamin (B1) SR0.06mg
5%
Riboflavin (B2) SR0.03mg
2%
Niacin (B3) SR1.0mg
6%
Pantothenic Acid (B5) SR0.34mg
7%
Vitamin B6 SR0.08mg
6%
Folate SR18.0µg
4%
Folic Acid SR0µg
Folate (food) SR18.0µg
Folate (DFE) SR18.0µg
Vitamin B12 SR0µg
Choline SR6.9mg
1%
Betaine SR83.4mg
Fatty Acids 7
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Saturated Fat SR0.04g
Monounsaturated Fat SR0.03g
Polyunsaturated Fat SR0.10g
Cholesterol SR0mg
Omega-3 EPA SR0g
Omega-3 DPA SR0g
Omega-3 DHA SR0g
Individual Fatty Acids 10
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Butyric Acid (4:0) SR0g
Caproic Acid (6:0) SR0g
Caprylic Acid (8:0) SR0.002g
Capric Acid (10:0) SR0g
Lauric Acid (12:0) SR0g
Myristic Acid (14:0) SR0g
Palmitic Acid (16:0) SR0.04g
Stearic Acid (18:0) SR0.002g
Linoleic Acid (18:2) SR0.09g
1%
Linolenic Acid (18:3) SR0.004g
Amino Acids 18
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Tryptophan SR0.05g
Threonine SR0.09g
Isoleucine SR0.11g
Leucine SR0.21g
Lysine SR0.09g
Methionine SR0.05g
Cystine SR0.07g
Phenylalanine SR0.14g
Tyrosine SR0.09g
Valine SR0.14g
Arginine SR0.14g
Histidine SR0.07g
Alanine SR0.11g
Aspartic Acid SR0.16g
Glutamic Acid SR0.97g
Glycine SR0.12g
Proline SR0.32g
Serine SR0.14g
Other 3
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Caffeine SR0mg
Theobromine SR0mg
Alcohol SR0g

Nutrient Density Score

The NRF9.3 score measures overall nutritional quality per 100 kcal. It rewards 9 nutrients to encourage (protein, fiber, vitamins A, C, E, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium) and penalizes 3 to limit (saturated fat, added sugars, sodium). Higher is better; negative scores indicate the food is high in limit nutrients relative to its beneficial content.

45
NRF9.3 Score
Moderate · per 100 kcal
Poor (<0) Moderate Good Excellent (100+)

NRF9.3 index: Fulgoni et al. (2009), J Nutr 139(8). DVs based on FDA 2020 reference values.

Nutrient Interactions in This Food

Nutrients in this food that enhance or compete with each other during absorption.

✔ Synergies — nutrients that help each other

Vitamin B6 + Magnesium●●

Vitamin B6 may enhance intracellular magnesium accumulation. Combined supplementation has shown greater benefits for stress and anxiety than magnesium alone.

Pouteau et al., PLoS One, 2018

⚠ Antagonisms — nutrients that compete

Zinc vs Copper●●●

High zinc intake induces metallothionein in enterocytes, which traps copper and blocks its absorption. Prolonged high-dose zinc can cause copper deficiency.

Prasad et al., JAMA, 1978; Fosmire, Am J Clin Nutr, 1990

Zinc vs Iron●●

Zinc and non-heme iron compete for the same intestinal transporter (DMT1). High doses of one can reduce absorption of the other when taken simultaneously.

Rossander-Hulten et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 1991

Fiber vs Iron●●

Phytates in high-fibre foods (whole grains, legumes) bind non-heme iron and reduce its bioavailability. Soaking, sprouting, and fermentation reduce phytate content.

Hurrell & Egli, Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 2010

Fiber vs Zinc●●

Phytates in fibre-rich foods chelate zinc, reducing its bioavailability by up to 50% in high-phytate diets. This is a major concern in plant-based diets.

Sandstrom, Food Nutr Res, 1997

Manganese vs Iron●●

Manganese and iron share the DMT1 transporter and compete for absorption. High iron status reduces manganese absorption and vice versa.

Erikson et al., Pharmacol Ther, 2007

Amino Acid Profile

Essential amino acid composition compared to the WHO/FAO adult reference pattern. The Amino Acid Score indicates protein quality — 100 means all essential amino acid requirements are met.

61
Amino Acid Score
Moderate
Lysine
Limiting Amino Acid
18
Amino Acids Tracked

Tip: The limiting amino acid is Lysine. Pair with legumes, dairy, and soy for a complete amino acid profile.

All Amino Acids (18)
Amino Acidg / 100gmg / g protein
Tryptophan0.0515.6
Threonine0.0928.9
Isoleucine0.1137.0
Leucine0.2167.5
Lysine0.0927.6
Methionine0.0515.6
Cystine0.0723.1
Phenylalanine0.1447.1
Tyrosine0.0929.2
Valine0.1445.1
Arginine0.1446.8
Histidine0.0723.1
Alanine0.1135.4
Aspartic Acid0.1651.3
Glutamic Acid0.97315.9
Glycine0.1240.3
Proline0.32103.9
Serine0.1447.1

How Cooking Changes Nutrients

Estimated percentage of each nutrient retained after cooking, based on USDA retention factors for the “Rice” food category. Values of 100% mean no loss; lower values indicate nutrients lost to heat, water, or oxidation.

Key insights
Folate loses up to 40% when boiled (drained). Boiled (water used) retains 70%.

Source: USDA Table of Nutrient Retention Factors, Release 6 (2007). Retention values are category-level averages — actual retention depends on cooking time, temperature, and water volume.

USDA Retention Factors

Glycemic & Insulin Response

The Glycemic Index (GI) measures how quickly a food raises blood sugar on a 0–100 scale. The Insulin Index (II) measures the insulin response directly, which can differ from GI — notably, dairy and high-protein foods often trigger a higher insulin response than their GI suggests. White bread = 100 for both scales.

48
Glycemic Index
Low GI
12
Glycemic Load
Medium GL (per 150g)
GI Scale 48
0 Low <55 Med High ≥70 100

GI data matched from: “Bulgur, boiled” · ●●● high confidence

44
Insulin Index
Moderate Insulin Response
Insulin Index Scale 44
0 Low ≤30 Mod ≤60 High ≤100 120
GI Model ●● Estimated via GI-based regression (R²=0.78)

Source: International Tables of Glycemic Index (Sydney University, 2021) · Holt et al. 1997; Bao et al. 2016; Bell 2014

Environmental Impact

Environmental footprint per kilogram of food produced. Data represents the global average for the “Rice” category.

4.5
kg CO₂e / kg
Moderate Impact
2.8
m² land / kg
Land Use
2,248
L water / kg
Water Use
17.5
g SO₂e / kg
Acidification
How this compares (GHG emissions)
Potatoes (0.5)Chicken (9.9)Beef (99.5)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions4.5 kg CO₂e / kg
Land Use2.8 m² / kg
Water Use2,248 L / kg
Eutrophication35.1 g PO₄e / kg
Acidification17.5 g SO₂e / kg
⚠️ Important context about this data
  • Global averages: These figures are production-weighted averages from a meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms across 119 countries (Poore & Nemecek, 2018). Actual impact varies enormously by farming method, geography, and supply chain.
  • System boundary: Cradle-to-retail only — does not include consumer transport, home cooking energy, or food waste.
  • Soil carbon not included: This data does not account for soil carbon sequestration. Some argue that well-managed regenerative grazing partially offsets ruminant emissions; however, full lifecycle accounting — including methane, land-use change, and the opportunity cost of using land for grazing vs. reforestation — typically makes the net footprint of ruminant meat higher, not lower. This is especially relevant in temperate grassland regions like Ireland.
  • Not gospel: This data is informational and illustrative. It is useful for understanding relative magnitudes, but should not be treated as precise measurements for any individual product or farm.

Source: Poore & Nemecek (2018), Science 360(6392). Meta-analysis of ~38,700 farms, 119 countries, 46 product categories.

Global Supply: Cereals

Top 10 countries by per capita supply of the “Cereals” food group (kcal/capita/day, 2023). This is food group–level data from FAO Food Balance Sheets, not specific to this individual food.

1.
Egypt
1962
2.
Bhutan
1927
3.
Serbia
1888
4.
Morocco
1876
5.
Mali
1862
6.
Ethiopia
1829
7.
Philippines
1774
8.
Bangladesh
1756
9.
Myanmar
1738
10.
Nepal
1679

Global Supply Trend (1961–2023)

+8%
1961: 1030 kcal2023: 1108 kcal

Source: FAO Food Balance Sheets (2023). Supply = production + imports − exports − waste, converted to kcal/capita/day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in Bulgur, cooked?

Bulgur, cooked contains 83.0 kcal per 100 grams, making it a moderate-calorie food. The energy comes from 3.1g of protein (15% of calories), 0.24g of fat (3%), and 18.6g of carbohydrates (90%). Carbohydrates are the primary energy source.

What is Bulgur, cooked most nutritious for?

The standout nutrient in Bulgur, cooked is Manganese, providing 0.61 mg per 100g (26% of the Daily Value). It is also a notable source of Carbohydrate (14% DV). Our database tracks 82 individual nutrients for this food, allowing detailed comparison across vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids.

Is Bulgur, cooked high in protein?

Bulgur, cooked contains 3.1g of protein per 100 grams. While not a high-protein food, it can contribute to daily protein needs as part of a varied diet.

How much fiber is in Bulgur, cooked?

Bulgur, cooked contains 4.5g of fiber per 100 grams — a moderate amount. This contributes to the recommended daily intake of 25-38g. Pairing with other fiber-rich foods like vegetables, legumes, or whole grains can help meet daily targets.

What is the glycemic index of Bulgur, cooked?

Bulgur, cooked has a glycemic index of 48, which is classified as low (≤55). Low-GI foods cause a slower, more gradual rise in blood sugar levels, which may be beneficial for blood sugar management. The glycemic load, which accounts for typical serving size, provides additional context for real-world blood sugar impact.

What is the insulin index of Bulgur, cooked?

Bulgur, cooked has a moderate insulin response (II: 44) (estimated from macronutrient composition) on the insulin index scale (white bread = 100). This is a typical insulin response for most mixed foods. Note that the insulin index can differ substantially from the glycemic index — dairy products and high-protein foods often have higher insulin responses than their GI would suggest.