Spinach

vegetables

Spinach

9/ 10Excellent
Controversy: 4.7

Rated by 11 diets

10 approve0 caution1 avoid
Is Spinach Healthy?

Yes — Spinach is broadly considered healthy. 10 out of 11 diets approve it.

Nutrition Facts
Per 100g
Calories
23kcal
Protein
2.9g
Carbs
3.6g
Fat
0.4g
Fiber
2.2g
Sugar
0.4g
Sodium
79mg

Diet Ratings

Keto9/10APPROVED

Extremely low net carbs (1g per cup raw), nutrient-dense leafy green. Ideal for keto with virtually no carb impact.

Vegan9/10APPROVED

Whole plant food, leafy green rich in iron, calcium, and antioxidants. Fully compliant with all vegan standards.

Paleo9/10APPROVED

Leafy green vegetable with excellent micronutrient profile. Unprocessed, available to hunter-gatherers. Oxalates present but not problematic in normal consumption.

Mediterranean10/10APPROVED

Leafy green vegetable central to Mediterranean cuisine. Excellent source of iron, folate, and antioxidants. Staple in traditional Mediterranean salads and dishes.

Carnivore2/10AVOID

Leafy green vegetable derived from plants. Contains oxalates and plant anti-nutrients. Fundamentally incompatible with carnivore diet.

Whole3010/10APPROVED

Whole, unprocessed leafy green vegetable. Fully compliant with Whole30 program requirements.

Low-FODMAP8/10APPROVED

Spinach is low in FODMAPs across standard serving sizes. Monash University confirms spinach as suitable for low-FODMAP diet at typical portions (1 cup raw or cooked).

DASH9/10APPROVED

Leafy green vegetable with exceptional potassium, magnesium, and calcium content. Low sodium when fresh or frozen without added salt. Excellent DASH foundation food.

Zone9/10APPROVED

Leafy green with negligible carb impact, excellent micronutrient profile, anti-inflammatory polyphenols. Foundational Zone vegetable with virtually no portioning constraints.

Anti-Inflammatory9/10APPROVED

Leafy green packed with lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamins K, A, C. High in polyphenols and antioxidants that reduce inflammatory markers. Excellent omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.

GLP-1 Friendly9/10APPROVED

Exceptional nutrient density with high fiber (0.7g per cup raw), moderate protein (0.9g per cup raw), very low sugar, and low fat. Rich in micronutrients and bioavailable iron. Easy to digest and incorporate into meals. Ideal GLP-1 vegetable.

Controversy Index

Score range: 210/10. Higher controversy = more disagreement between diets.

Consensus4.7Divisive

Diet-Specific Tips for Spinach

Keto 9/10
  • 1g net carbs per cup raw
  • High in magnesium and potassium
  • Minimal carb impact
Vegan 9/10
  • Whole food
  • High nutritional density
  • No processing
  • Leafy green
Paleo 9/10
  • nutrient-dense
  • unprocessed
  • low-carb
  • bioavailable-minerals
Mediterranean 10/10
  • Nutrient-dense superfood
  • Traditional Mediterranean staple
  • High in antioxidants
  • Versatile in preparation
Whole30 10/10
  • Whole vegetable
  • No additives
  • Nutrient-dense
Low-FODMAP 8/10
  • Low fructan content
  • Low polyol content
  • Minimal FODMAP load at standard servings
DASH 9/10
  • Very low sodium
  • High potassium and magnesium
  • Rich in calcium
  • High fiber
Zone 9/10
  • Negligible net carbs
  • High micronutrient density
  • Anti-inflammatory compounds
  • Unlimited portion potential
  • polyphenol-rich
  • high antioxidant capacity
  • vitamin K content
  • favorable fatty acid profile
  • high fiber
  • moderate protein
  • very low sugar
  • low fat
  • nutrient-dense
  • easy to digest
  • versatile
Last reviewed: Our methodology