Kalamata olives may be less popular than green or black olives, but this unique type of olive has an irreplaceable flavor that lends itself to many types of dishes, sauces and marinades. Kalamatas are native to Greece but are now imported throughout the world. They are almond shaped and larger than green or black olives, and they tend to have a dark purple hue in their skin.
Calories
According to TriedTastedServed.com, 100 g of kalamata olives contain approximately 115 calories, representing 6 percent of the average recommended daily intake of calories. This makes the olives a moderate-calorie food. The amount of calories can fluctuate depending on whether the olives are packaged in oil versus water, or picked fresh. Nearly 90 percent of the calories found in kalamata olives are derived from fats.
Fats
Nearly 11 g, or 16 percent of your recommended daily intake of fats, is found in a single 100-g serving of kalamata olives. However, the fats found in this food are a much healthier alternative than those found in some other products -- the majority of the fats are unsaturated fats, which are heart healthy and can even promote cardiovascular health.
Vitamins and Minerals
Several vitamins and minerals can be found in significant values in a serving of kalamata olives. According to TriedTastedServed.com, this includes 18 percent of your daily iron needs, 13 percent of copper requirements, 9 percent of your daily calcium, and 8 percent each of vitamins A and E. Phosphorus, potassium, zinc, selenium, and vitamins C and K are also found in smaller quantities.
Other Nutrients
Kalamata olives contain some minor amounts of carbohydrates and protein, with each totaling about 2 percent of your daily needs. However, roughly 13 percent of your dietary fiber can be found in a single 100-g serving. There are also 64 mg of omega-3 fatty acids and 847 mg of omega-6 fatty acids found in an equivalent serving. This fruit is cholesterol free but can contain 36 percent of your daily sodium needs, although this may vary depending on freshness and packaging procedures.
Considerations
How olives are packaged can greatly affect the nutrients contained in them. For example, olives stored in a pickling juice will feature significantly higher amounts of sodium in them than fresh olives. While the base nutrition facts of olives can help you decide whether they are a food you want to incorporate into your diet, read the nutrition label of each kalamata olive package in order to determine its nutrients.
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