The Nutritional Value Of Som Tam

Som tam is a Thai salad made with unripe papaya cut into thin shreds. Som tam tastes sweet from the lime, sugar and papaya, and spicy from hot chilis. Som tam is low in fat, and rich in carbohydrates but is relatively calorie-sparse.

Calories

Som tam is relatively low in calories, as a 320 gram serving contains 124 calories. That amount of calories constitutes 6.2 percent of the daily recommended intake of 2,000 calories. If you're trying to lose weight, you could burn the calories in a 320 gram serving of som tam through 8 minutes of rollerblading or 13 minutes of jogging.

Fat

Som tam is low in dietary fat, as each 320 gram serving contains just 3 grams of fat. None of this fat comes from saturated or trans fats, two types of fat that can increase your cholesterol levels. Dietary fat promotes satiety, aids in vitamin absorption and provides energy for endurance activities.

Carbohydrates

Som tam is rich in carbohydrates. Each 320 gram serving of this food contains 25 grams of carbohydrates, the same amount you'd find in a cup of oatmeal. Carbohydrates act as your body's primary energy source.

Sugar

Most of the carbohydrates in som tam come from sugar. Each 320 gram serving contains 22 grams of sugar, which is known as a simple carbohydrate because it is absorbed easily and rapidly by your body. Unfortunately, too much sugar can promote tooth decay and possibly, higher cholesterol levels according to April 2010 research from "The Journal of the American Medical Association."

Protein

One nutrient in which som tam is not particularly rich is protein. Each 320 gram serving contains just 6 grams of this nutrient. Protein provides your body with amino acids, which are molecular components of tissue.