Walnut
What it is
Walnuts are edible nut kernels. This entry uses the USDA English-walnut record; black walnuts, walnut oil and sweetened walnut products have separate profiles.
What it does
The English-walnut reference contains 15.2 g of protein, 6.7 g of fiber and 47.2 g of polyunsaturated fat per 100 g. NIH also identifies walnuts as a food source of alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA.
Research context and ingredient forms
ALA is a plant omega-3 fat, not the same molecule as EPA or DHA. Its conversion to those longer-chain fats is limited, so walnut intake cannot be translated directly into a fish-oil dose.
Using this information
Use shelled kernel weight when scaling the table. In a salad or baked dish, the amount of walnut is only one part of the full recipe.
Considerations
Walnut is a tree-nut allergen. Check the full label and relevant cross-contact information.
Food sources and composition
| Nutrient | Amount and serving basis | Food and source |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 654 kcal per 100 g edible portion | Nuts, walnuts, english; Nuts, walnuts, english SR Legacy April 2018; FDC published 2019-04-01 |
| Protein | 15.2 g per 100 g edible portion | Nuts, walnuts, english; Nuts, walnuts, english SR Legacy April 2018; FDC published 2019-04-01 |
| Total lipid (fat) | 65.2 g per 100 g edible portion | Nuts, walnuts, english; Nuts, walnuts, english SR Legacy April 2018; FDC published 2019-04-01 |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 13.7 g per 100 g edible portion | Nuts, walnuts, english; Nuts, walnuts, english SR Legacy April 2018; FDC published 2019-04-01 |
| Fiber, total dietary | 6.7 g per 100 g edible portion | Nuts, walnuts, english; Nuts, walnuts, english SR Legacy April 2018; FDC published 2019-04-01 |
| Magnesium, Mg | 158 mg per 100 g edible portion | Nuts, walnuts, english; Nuts, walnuts, english SR Legacy April 2018; FDC published 2019-04-01 |
| Potassium, K | 441 mg per 100 g edible portion | Nuts, walnuts, english; Nuts, walnuts, english SR Legacy April 2018; FDC published 2019-04-01 |
| Sodium, Na | 2 mg per 100 g edible portion | Nuts, walnuts, english; Nuts, walnuts, english SR Legacy April 2018; FDC published 2019-04-01 |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 47.2 g per 100 g edible portion | Nuts, walnuts, english; Nuts, walnuts, english SR Legacy April 2018; FDC published 2019-04-01 |
Scientific Research & References
- Nuts, walnuts, english
2019 · USDA Agricultural Research Service
Limitations: Historical food/preparation-specific composition, not a current brand label or clinical-outcome estimate.
Source assessment recorded.
- USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Legacy Release: Documentation
2018 · USDA Agricultural Research Service
Limitations: Historical dataset; values may be analytical, calculated, imputed, or assumed zero. Not clinical-outcome evidence.
Source assessment recorded.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements Fact Sheet
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Limitations: Supports only the stated food identity or normal nutrient role; not proof of a food-specific treatment benefit.
Source assessment recorded.
- Food Allergies
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Limitations: Used for major-allergen identification and label awareness; not an individual allergy diagnosis.
Source assessment recorded.
Related dictionary entries
Products containing it
No label-specific product relationship has been reviewed for this entry.