Arugula has 25 kcal and 1.6 g fiber per 100 g. The peppery flavor comes from glucosinolates, shared with cruciferous vegetables. Adds zing to salads at minimal calorie cost.
How should I track Arugula?
Arugula is a good source of calcium. For consistent tracking of Arugula, weigh it raw. Cooking method changes both weight and calorie density — steaming barely changes anything, but roasting with oil or frying can double the calories. A systematic review (Whitton et al., Adv Nutr 2022) found vegetables are omitted from food logs 2–85% of the time, often because people assume they are "free" calorically. While most vegetables are indeed low-calorie, the fats added during cooking are not. Log the oil, butter, or dressing separately to keep your tracking accurate.