Although traditional salsa -- the kind you'll find jarred in grocery stores and at tables in Mexican restaurants -- is made with tomato as the primary ingredient, you can use other foods as a base. One variation is fresh pineapple salsa, which has a sweeter, more fruity taste. Fresh pineapple salsa is low in calories, so even if you're dieting, this type of salsa can be a beneficial addition to your dietary intake.
Calories
Fresh pineapple salsa is low in calories. Each 2 tbsp. serving contains 15 calories, which makes up less than 1 percent of the daily recommended intake of 2,000. Fresh pineapple salsa's low calorie content can make it appropriate for dieting, as it would take just two minutes of swimming laps or four minutes of weightlifting to burn 15 calories.
Fat
Fresh pineapple salsa, as with traditional tomato-based salsa, contains no fat. This helps keep the salsa low in calories, as fat is the highest-calorie nutrient. However, fat also provides some benefits, including promoting satiety, aiding in normal growth and development, and helping your body absorb nutrients.
Carbohydrates
All of the calories in fresh pineapple salsa come from carbohydrates. Each 2 tbsp. serving contains 4 g of carbs, which are your body's primary source of fuel. Because fresh pineapple salsa is low in carbs, you might find it to be a good choice for low-carb diet plans. Such diet plans might be more effective than low-fat diet plans, according to research from the July 2008 edition of the "New England Journal of Medicine."
Protein
Fresh pineapple salsa does not contain protein, a vital nutrient that you can find in large quantities in certain dairy products, meats and seafood. This nutrient helps build and repair your body's cells and tissues.
Sodium
Fresh pineapple salsa is relatively low in sodium, with 125 mg in each 2 tbsp. serving, or about 5 percent of the daily suggested intake of 2,300 mg. While you do need some sodium for optimal health, consuming a diet rich in sodium can increase your blood pressure.
Vitamins and Minerals
Fresh pineapple salsa isn't a good source of minerals, but it provides low levels of two vitamins. Each 2 tbsp. serving contains 8 percent of the daily suggested intake of vitamin C and 2 percent of the daily suggested intake of vitamin A.
References
- MyFitnessPal: Calories in Whole Foods Fresh Pineapple Salsa
- Mayo Clinic; "Exercise for Weight Loss: Calories Burned in 1 Hour"; December 2009
- MedlinePlus; "Dietary Fats"; August 2011
- "New England Journal of Medicine"; "Weight Loss with a Low-Carbohydrate, Mediterranean or Low-Fat Diet"; I. Shai et al.; July 2008
- Mayo Clinic; Sodium; "How to Tame Your Salt Habit Now"; March 2011
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