Whole-Food Spices & Seasonings Guide

18 items classified under standard Whole-Food guidelines.

How do spices & seasonings fare on the Whole-Food diet? The answer depends on processing level. This guide breaks down all 18 items in this category with their classification, nutritional data, and the reasoning behind each status.

Good news for Whole-Food followers: all spices & seasonings fit the diet. These foods are minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. The nutrition details below help you compare within the category to find the best options for your specific needs.

Quick Reference

Food Status Calories (per 100g)
Basil Allowed 23kcal
Black Pepper Allowed 279kcal
Cayenne Pepper Allowed 318kcal
Chili Powder Allowed 139kcal
Cinnamon Allowed 253kcal
Cumin Allowed 375kcal
Everything Bagel Seasoning Allowed 264kcal
Garlic Powder Allowed 331kcal
Ginger Allowed 80kcal
Nutmeg Allowed 884kcal
Onion Powder Allowed 341kcal
Oregano Allowed 265kcal
Paprika Allowed 282kcal
Saffron Allowed 310kcal
Salt Allowed 0kcal
Taco Seasoning Allowed 170kcal
Turmeric Allowed 312kcal
Vanilla Extract Allowed 288kcal

Classification Breakdown

18 Allowed — These spices & seasonings are minimally processed, in or close to its natural state.

The target is NOVA group 4 — ultra-processed foods built from extracted components and additives.

Allowed Spices & Seasonings (18)

Basil

Allowed

Basil is classified as Allowed on Whole-Food, with 23kcal calories per 100g. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Among the 18 items in this category, basil sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Ginger at 80kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

23kcalCalories
3.2gProtein
0.6gFat
2.7gCarbs
1.6gFiber

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Black Pepper

Allowed

With 279kcal calories per 100g, Black Pepper earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Within this category, it falls between Oregano and Paprika for calories, ranking 9 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

279kcalCalories
0gProtein
0.1gFat
21.2gCarbs
0gFiber

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Cayenne Pepper

Allowed

With 318kcal calories per 100g, Cayenne Pepper earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. It also contains 12g protein and 17.3g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Turmeric at 312kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

318kcalCalories
12gProtein
17.3gFat
56.6gCarbs
27.2gFiber

Compare Cayenne Pepper across all diets

Chili Powder

Allowed

Chili Powder is classified as Allowed on Whole-Food, with 139kcal calories per 100g. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. It also contains 13.3g protein and 8.2g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 18 items in this category, chili powder sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Taco Seasoning at 170kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

139kcalCalories
13.3gProtein
8.2gFat
2.4gCarbs
0.5gFiber

Compare Chili Powder across all diets

Cinnamon

Allowed

With 253kcal calories per 100g, Cinnamon earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. It is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Beyond the primary classification, cinnamon also provides 7.1g protein and 5.3g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Taco Seasoning and Everything Bagel Seasoning for calories, ranking 6 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

253kcalCalories
7.1gProtein
5.3gFat
44.4gCarbs
3.5gFiber

Compare Cinnamon across all diets

Cumin

Allowed

With 375kcal calories per 100g, Cumin earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. It also contains 17.8g protein and 22.3g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Onion Powder at 341kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

375kcalCalories
17.8gProtein
22.3gFat
44.2gCarbs
10.5gFiber

Compare Cumin across all diets

Everything Bagel Seasoning

Allowed

With 264kcal calories per 100g, Everything Bagel Seasoning earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. It also contains 10.6g protein and 422mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Cinnamon and Oregano for calories, ranking 7 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

264kcalCalories
10.6gProtein
1.3gFat
52.4gCarbs
1.6gFiber

Compare Everything Bagel Seasoning across all diets

Garlic Powder

Allowed

With 331kcal calories per 100g, Garlic Powder earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. It also contains 16.6g protein and 9g fiber, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Cayenne Pepper at 318kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

331kcalCalories
16.6gProtein
0.7gFat
72.7gCarbs
9gFiber

Compare Garlic Powder across all diets

Ginger

Allowed

Ginger is classified as Allowed on Whole-Food, with 80kcal calories per 100g. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Among the 18 items in this category, ginger sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Chili Powder at 139kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

80kcalCalories
1.8gProtein
0.8gFat
17.8gCarbs
2gFiber

Compare Ginger across all diets

Nutmeg

Allowed

Nutmeg is classified as Allowed on Whole-Food, with 884kcal calories per 100g. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. It also contains 100g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Cumin at 375kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Onion Powder

Allowed

Onion Powder is classified as Allowed on Whole-Food, with 341kcal calories per 100g. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. It also contains 10.4g protein and 15.2g fiber, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Garlic Powder at 331kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

341kcalCalories
10.4gProtein
1gFat
79.1gCarbs
15.2gFiber

Compare Onion Powder across all diets

Oregano

Allowed

At 265kcal calories per 100g, Oregano falls into the Allowed category under Whole-Food guidelines. It is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Beyond the primary classification, oregano also provides 9g protein and 42.5g fiber per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Everything Bagel Seasoning and Black Pepper for calories, ranking 8 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

265kcalCalories
9gProtein
4.3gFat
68.9gCarbs
42.5gFiber

Compare Oregano across all diets

Paprika

Allowed

Paprika is classified as Allowed on Whole-Food, with 282kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Nutritionally, it also delivers 14.1g protein and 12.9g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Black Pepper and Vanilla Extract for calories, ranking 10 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

282kcalCalories
14.1gProtein
12.9gFat
54gCarbs
34.9gFiber

Compare Paprika across all diets

Saffron

Allowed

Saffron is classified as Allowed on Whole-Food, with 310kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Nutritionally, it also delivers 11.4g protein and 5.9g fat per serving. Within this category, it falls between Vanilla Extract and Turmeric for calories, ranking 12 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

310kcalCalories
11.4gProtein
5.9gFat
65.4gCarbs
3.9gFiber

Compare Saffron across all diets

Salt

Allowed

At 0kcal calories per 100g, Salt falls into the Allowed category under Whole-Food guidelines. It is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Beyond the primary classification, salt also provides 38800mg sodium per 100g. Among the 18 items in this category, salt sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Basil at 23kcal.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

0kcalCalories
0gProtein
0gFat
0gCarbs
0gFiber

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Taco Seasoning

Allowed

At 170kcal calories per 100g, Taco Seasoning falls into the Allowed category under Whole-Food guidelines. It is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Beyond the primary classification, taco seasoning also provides 6.7g protein and 9.2g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Chili Powder and Cinnamon for calories, ranking 5 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

170kcalCalories
6.7gProtein
9.2gFat
15.1gCarbs
3gFiber

Compare Taco Seasoning across all diets

Turmeric

Allowed

With 312kcal calories per 100g, Turmeric earns a Allowed classification on Whole-Food. It is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Beyond the primary classification, turmeric also provides 9.7g protein and 22.7g fiber per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Saffron and Cayenne Pepper for calories, ranking 13 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

312kcalCalories
9.7gProtein
3.3gFat
67.1gCarbs
22.7gFiber

Compare Turmeric across all diets

Vanilla Extract

Allowed

Vanilla Extract is classified as Allowed on Whole-Food, with 288kcal calories per 100g. This means it is minimally processed, in or close to its natural state. Within this category, it falls between Paprika and Saffron for calories, ranking 11 of 18.

Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central

288kcalCalories
0.1gProtein
0.1gFat
12.6gCarbs
0gFiber

Compare Vanilla Extract across all diets