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
AllowedBasil 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
Black Pepper
AllowedWith 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
Cayenne Pepper
AllowedWith 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
Chili Powder
AllowedChili 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
Cinnamon
AllowedWith 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
Cumin
AllowedWith 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
Everything Bagel Seasoning
AllowedWith 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
Garlic Powder
AllowedWith 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
Ginger
AllowedGinger 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
Nutmeg
AllowedNutmeg 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
Onion Powder
AllowedOnion 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
Oregano
AllowedAt 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
Paprika
AllowedPaprika 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
Saffron
AllowedSaffron 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
Salt
AllowedAt 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
Taco Seasoning
AllowedAt 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
Turmeric
AllowedWith 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
Vanilla Extract
AllowedVanilla 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