Whether serving as an accompaniment to pate, a common use, or eaten alone as a snack, cornichons are not a rich source of nutritional value. They contain few calories and macronutrients, and deliver only small amounts of vitamins and minerals. These small, tart pickles are made from tiny cucumbers and provide a satisfying crunch.
Calories and Fat
A six-pickle serving of cornichons -- a small handful -- contains 5 calories. If you follow a 2,000-calorie diet, the amount of calories in this serving of flavorful pickles accounts for 0.25 percent of your allowable daily intake. Cornichons contain no fat. Because of the low calorie and fat content, cornichons make an excellent choice for snacking when you are trying to lose weight.
Carbohydrates and Fiber
Eat a serving of cornichons, and you take in 1 gram of carbohydrates. You need significantly more than this in a single day -- 130 grams -- so consider pairing cornichons with foods that contain a few more carbs. As cornichons are often served on charcuterie platters, opt for the crackers or bread that commonly come with this dish. You also take in 1 gram of fiber in a serving of these pickles. The ideal intake of fiber per day is 25 to 38 grams.
Vitamins and Minerals
One serving of cornichons provides 2 percent of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C if you adhere to a 2,000-calorie diet. The vitamin C in these tart pickles might contribute to cancer protection. A study published in the August 2011 issue of "BMC Cancer" notes that vitamin C, among other vitamins and minerals, might protect against breast cancer in older women. More research is needed to determine the amount of vitamin C needed to provide protection. A serving of cornichons also contains 1 percent of the iron and calcium you need each day.
Considerations
Because the brine used to cure and flavor cornichons is quite high in sodium, these pickles might not be the best choice for your diet if you suffer from high blood pressure or a heart problem. One serving of cornichons contain 360 milligrams of sodium. This might not seem like a large amount, given the American Heart Association-suggested daily limit stands at 1,500 milligrams, but many foods in your diet might contain moderate to high quantities of sodium, which can easily put you over the suggested maximum consumption.
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