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Two spoons of coconut chutney are about 60 kcal, a fried papad about 75 and a teaspoon of ghee about 45. Here are the approximate calories for 20 chutneys, pickles, papads, raitas and spoonfuls that are easy to miss.
| Item (typical portion) | kcal |
|---|---|
| Green chutney, coriander and mint (2 tablespoons) | ~15 |
| Tomato chutney (2 tablespoons) | ~35 |
| Coconut chutney (2 tablespoons) | ~60 |
| Sweet tamarind chutney (2 tablespoons) | ~60 |
| Peanut chutney (2 tablespoons) | ~90 |
| Cucumber raita (1 katori, 150 g) | ~90 |
| Boondi raita (1 katori) | ~140 |
| Item (typical portion) | kcal |
|---|---|
| Lime pickle (1 tablespoon) | ~35 |
| Roasted papad (1) | ~40 |
| Mango pickle (1 tablespoon) | ~45 |
| Fried papad (1) | ~75 |
| Masala papad (1) | ~110 |
| Item (typical portion) | kcal |
|---|---|
| Tomato ketchup (1 tablespoon) | ~20 |
| Sev, as topping (1 tablespoon) | ~45 |
| Mayonnaise (1 tablespoon) | ~95 |
| Item (1 teaspoon) | kcal |
|---|---|
| Sugar (1 teaspoon) | ~20 |
| Jaggery (1 teaspoon) | ~20 |
| Honey (1 teaspoon) | ~20 |
| Butter (1 teaspoon) | ~36 |
| Ghee (1 teaspoon) | ~45 |
Our approximate estimates for typical spoon portions. Recipes and brands vary, so treat each number as a ballpark.
Each of these looks too small to matter, but they are eaten at every meal. A tablespoon of oil-based pickle (about 35 to 45 kcal) and a fried papad (about 75 kcal) are together about the same as a medium roti (about 120 kcal). Chutneys made from coconut or peanut are heavier than a green or tomato one, and sweet tamarind chutney gets its calories from sugar.
The fats and sweeteners at the bottom are the ones that add up quietly. A teaspoon of sugar is about 20 kcal, a teaspoon of butter about 36 and a teaspoon of ghee about 45, and a meal can have several of each without anyone counting them.
Easy way to read it: the sides are not the problem, they are just easy to miss. If you want a closer total for a meal, add the pickle, papad and a teaspoon or two of ghee from the tables above.
See how they fit into a whole plate in calories in an Indian thali, and for the sides of an idli or dosa breakfast, calories in South Indian food.
These are approximate numbers for typical portions, not exact ones, and they are not advice about what you should eat. If you have a health condition or a calorie target from a doctor or dietitian, follow that instead of a general table.
About 40 kcal for a roasted papad and about 75 kcal for a fried one. A masala papad with toppings is about 110 kcal.
About 45 kcal for a tablespoon, because Indian pickles are made with a good amount of oil.
About 60 kcal for two tablespoons. Green chutney is lighter, at about 15 kcal for the same amount.
About 45 kcal for one teaspoon (5 g). A teaspoon of butter is about 36 kcal and a teaspoon of sugar about 20 kcal.
Take a photo and Nutrisnap shows an approximate calorie range. It is an AI guess, for fun.
Scan your food Track todayFigures on this page are our own approximate calculations from typical values and portions. They are estimates, not laboratory measurements. This article is educational information, not medical or nutrition advice.
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