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Parsnips, raw

Vegetables Per 100 g · Per 100g serving
Data sources: 20 Foundation 36 SR Legacy

Parsnips, raw is a vegetable at 87.1 calories per 100g. This vegetable is a useful source of fiber, virtually fat-free. Vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber with relatively few calories. They are a cornerstone of virtually every dietary guideline worldwide. Our database tracks 56 nutrients for this food, plus glycemic index, insulin index, environmental footprint data.

87.1
Calories
kcal
1.3
Protein
g
0.54
Fat
g
19.3
Carbs
g
5.4
Fiber
g

Top Nutrients

☀️
Folate
83.4 µg
21% DV
☀️
Vitamin K1
22.5 µg
19% DV
💪
Carbohydrate
19.3 g
15% DV

Data for 56 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 10
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Water Foundation77.8g
2%
Calories Foundation87.1kcal
Energy (kJ) SR314kj
Protein Foundation1.3g
2%
Total Fat Foundation0.54g
Carbohydrate Foundation19.3g
15%
Fiber Foundation5.4g
14%
Total Sugars Foundation10.5g
Total Sugars SR4.8g
Ash Foundation1.2g
Minerals 10
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Calcium Foundation44.2mg
4%
Iron Foundation0.51mg
6%
Magnesium Foundation22.0mg
6%
Phosphorus Foundation62.5mg
9%
Potassium Foundation493mg
14%
Sodium Foundation0.49mg
0%
Zinc Foundation0.33mg
3%
Copper Foundation0.12mg
13%
Manganese Foundation0.24mg
10%
Selenium SR1.8µg
3%
Vitamins 24
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Vitamin A (RAE) SR0µg
Vitamin A (IU) SR0IU
Retinol SR0µg
Beta-Carotene SR0µg
Alpha-Carotene SR0µg
Beta-Cryptoxanthin SR0µg
Lycopene SR0µg
Lutein + Zeaxanthin SR0µg
Vitamin C Foundation11.8mg
13%
Vitamin D SR0µg
Vitamin D (IU) SR0IU
Vitamin E SR1.5mg
10%
Vitamin K1 SR22.5µg
19%
Thiamin (B1) SR0.09mg
8%
Riboflavin (B2) SR0.05mg
4%
Niacin (B3) SR0.70mg
4%
Pantothenic Acid (B5) SR0.60mg
12%
Vitamin B6 SR0.09mg
7%
Biotin (B7) Foundation4.3µg
14%
Folate Foundation83.4µg
21%
Folic Acid SR0µg
Folate (food) SR67.0µg
Folate (DFE) SR67.0µg
Vitamin B12 SR0µg
Fatty Acids 5
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Saturated Fat SR0.05g
Monounsaturated Fat SR0.11g
Polyunsaturated Fat SR0.05g
Trans Fat SR0g
Cholesterol SR0mg
Individual Fatty Acids 5
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Myristic Acid (14:0) SR0.003g
Palmitic Acid (16:0) SR0.03g
Stearic Acid (18:0) SR0.01g
Linoleic Acid (18:2) SR0.04g
0%
Linolenic Acid (18:3) SR0.003g
Other 2
NutrientPer 100gUnitPer Serving% DV
Caffeine SR0mg
Theobromine SR0mg

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.

52
NRF9.3 Score
Good · 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 C + Iron●●●

Vitamin C dramatically enhances non-heme iron absorption by reducing Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ in the gut. Adding 75 mg vitamin C to a meal can increase iron absorption 3–4 fold.

Hallberg et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 1989

Dietary Fat + Vitamin E●●●

Vitamin E is fat-soluble and absorbed alongside dietary fats via micelle formation in the small intestine. Low-fat diets reduce vitamin E absorption.

Traber, Free Radic Biol Med, 2007

Dietary Fat + Vitamin K●●●

Vitamin K is fat-soluble. Absorption increases significantly when consumed with dietary fat, particularly for phylloquinone (K1) from plant sources.

Gijsbers et al., Br J Nutr, 1996

Vitamin C + Vitamin E●●

Vitamin C regenerates oxidised vitamin E (tocopheroxyl radical) back to its active form, extending its antioxidant function in cell membranes.

Niki, Free Radic Biol Med, 2014

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

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

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

Vitamin C vs Copper●●

High-dose vitamin C (>1,500 mg/day) may reduce copper absorption by reducing Cu²⁺ to Cu⁺, though the clinical significance at normal intakes is minimal.

Harris, Am J Clin Nutr, 2003

Fatty Acid Profile

Breakdown of fat types per 100g. A healthy fat profile favours unsaturated fats (mono + poly) and a balanced omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.

0.05g
Saturated
0.11g
Monounsaturated
0.05g
Polyunsaturated
Omega Fatty Acids
Linoleic acid (18:2 n-6)0.04 g

How Cooking Changes Nutrients

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

Key insights
Vitamin C loses up to 32% when boiled (drained). Stir-fried retains 80%.
Folate loses up to 32% when boiled (drained). Boiled (water used) retains 80%.

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.

52
Glycemic Index
Low GI
4
Glycemic Load
Low GL (per 80g)
GI Scale 52
0 Low <55 Med High ≥70 100

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

49
Insulin Index
Moderate Insulin Response
Insulin Index Scale 49
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 “Root Vegetables” category.

0.43
kg CO₂e / kg
Very Low Impact
0.33
m² land / kg
Land Use
28.0
L water / kg
Water Use
1.6
g SO₂e / kg
Acidification
How this compares (GHG emissions)
Potatoes (0.5)Chicken (9.9)Beef (99.5)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions0.43 kg CO₂e / kg
Land Use0.33 m² / kg
Water Use28.0 L / kg
Eutrophication1.8 g PO₄e / kg
Acidification1.6 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: Vegetables

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

1.
China; mainland
310
2.
China
306
3.
Albania
258
4.
North Macedonia
221
5.
Guyana
209
6.
Kazakhstan
204
7.
Oman
192
8.
Uzbekistan
190
9.
Tajikistan
186
10.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
183

Global Supply Trend (1961–2023)

+76%
1961: 38 kcal2023: 67 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 Parsnips, raw?

Parsnips, raw contains 87.1 kcal per 100 grams, making it a moderate-calorie food. The energy comes from 1.3g of protein (6% of calories), 0.54g of fat (6%), and 19.3g of carbohydrates (89%). Carbohydrates are the primary energy source.

What is Parsnips, raw most nutritious for?

The standout nutrient in Parsnips, raw is Folate, providing 83.4 µg per 100g (21% of the Daily Value). It is also a notable source of Vitamin K1 (19% DV). Our database tracks 56 individual nutrients for this food, allowing detailed comparison across vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids.

Is Parsnips, raw high in protein?

At 1.3g per 100 grams, Parsnips, raw is not a significant source of protein. Pair with protein-rich foods like legumes, meat, fish, or dairy to meet daily protein needs.

How much fiber is in Parsnips, raw?

Parsnips, raw contains 5.4g 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 Parsnips, raw?

Parsnips, raw has a glycemic index of 52, 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 Parsnips, raw?

Parsnips, raw has a moderate insulin response (II: 49) (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.