The daikon is a long, white vegetable known as the Chinese radish and the white radish. While the daikon did originate in Asia, it is available globally. Daikon is large in size but low in calories, and you can use daikon in a variety of dishes because its flavor is subtle. Daikon can be suitable for weight loss plans due to its low calorie content.
Calories
Daikon is low in calories, as each 4 oz. radish provides just 20. Because of the low calorie content of daikon, you can eat it as part of a weight loss diet. If you're active, you can burn the calories in daikon quite quickly. A 2-minute session of swimming laps or 5 minutes of weightlifting could burn the calories in 4 oz. of daikon.
Carbohydrates
Daikon is low in carbohydrates, as each 4 oz. serving contains just 4 g of carbohydrates. This makes daikon appropriate for reduced-carbohydrate diets, which research published in the February 2006 edition of "Archives of Internal Medicine" suggest can promote quicker weight loss than higher carbohydrate, low-fat diets.
Fiber
An important type of carbohydrate provided by daikon is fiber. Each 4 oz. serving of this type of radish contains 2 g of dietary fiber. Your body needs fiber, as it ensures a healthy digestive system, stabilizes blood sugar levels and induces feelings of fullness after meals, which can make it helpful for dieting.
Protein and Fat
Daikon does not provide any protein or fat. These two nutrients are essential for life, as protein supports the production and maintenance of your body's tissues, while fat provides energy, aids in vitamin absorption and is integral in growth, development and brain function.
Potassium
Daikon is a good source of potassium, providing 275 mg in each 4 oz. serving. The daily suggested intake of potassium is 2,000 mg, so 4 oz. of daikon provides about 14 percent. Potassium facilitates nerve transmissions throughout your body, so it's vital to consume adequate amounts.
Vitamins and Minerals
Daikon is not rich in vitamins and minerals. A 4 oz. serving does contain 28 percent of the daily suggested intake of vitamin C, but it isn't a significant source of other such nutrients.
References
- MyFitnessPal: Calories in Daikon Radish
- Mayo Clinic; Exercise for Weight Loss: Calories Burned in 1 Hour; December 2009
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; Effects of Low-Carbohydrate vs Low-Fat Diets on Weight Loss and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials; A.J. Nordmann et al.; February 2006
- Colorado State University Extension; Dietary Fiber; J. Anderson, S. Perryman, L.Young and S. Prior; December 2010
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia; Dietary Fats Explained; October 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Potassium; May 2009
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