Sushi may be a Japanese specialty, but its roots are Chinese. It was originally developed as a way to ferment and preserve fish. Edo sushi, which refers to raw fish and rice, is the sushi with which Americans are most familiar. Fish is often an ingredient in Japanese sushi, but vegetarian rolls are also available. These rolls usually include a combination of vegetables wrapped in rice and seaweed.
Calories
A mixed vegetable sushi roll makes a low-calorie meal choice, but calories can vary depending on the chef and the ingredients. A 7 oz vegetable sushi roll contains about 266 to 270 calories. If you follow a 2,000-calorie diet, the vegetable sushi roll meets less than 15 percent of your daily calorie intake.
Macronutrients
Macronutrients include the sushi roll's protein, fat and carbohydrate content. Macronutrients determine the calories in the roll. Like calories, the macronutrient content in a sushi roll also varies. One 7 oz. mixed sushi roll contains 1.5 to 6 g of total fat, 0 to 1 g of saturated fat, 42 to 63 g of carbohydrates and 5 to 6 g of protein. Most of the calories in the mixed vegetable sushi roll come from its carbohydrate content. Carbs should provide most of your daily calorie intake, making up 45 percent to 65 percent of your intake.
Fiber
The mixed vegetable sushi roll can help you meet your daily fiber intake. A 7 oz vegetable sushi roll contains 2 to 4 g of fiber. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate your body does not digest, but it offers a number of health benefits. You should try to get 20 to 37 g of fiber a day. Fiber in food helps control hunger by slowing digestion, which in turn helps with weight control. Fiber also adds bulk to your stool, alleviating constipation. The fiber in the vegetable sushi roll may also help reduce your risk of heart disease by helping lower blood cholesterol levels.
Sodium
The only down side to the mixed vegetable sushi roll is its sodium content, which can vary widely depending on who makes your sushi. The sodium content in one 7 oz vegetable sushi roll can range from 161 to 830 mg. You should try to limit your intake of sodium to 1,500 to 2,300 mg a day. Consuming an excessive amount of sodium increases your risk of hypertension and heart disease.
References
- Sushi Encyclopedia: History of Sushi
- Wegman's: Sushi Nutrition Information
- Peer Trainer: Fresh Vegetable Sushi Roll
- McKinley Health Center: Macronutrients: The Importance of Carbohydrate, Protein, and Fat; March 2008
- MayoClinic; Dietary Fiber: Essential for a Healthy Diet; November 2009
- Colorado State University Extension; Sodium in Your Diet, J. Anderson, et al.; July 1996



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