per 100 grams
Carbohydrates 7.3 g
7.3%
Proteins 4.2 g
4.2%
Fats 0.8 g
0.8%
Water 84.3 g
84.3%
Fiber 4 grams
Trans Fats 0 ug
Ash 3.4 grams

Lamb's Quarters

43 Calories per 100g

A Lamb's quarters, otherwise known as Chenopodium album, is an edible weed that can be found in many different places across the world. It can be found growing in yards, gardens, waste land, gravel pits and fields, usually in a wild form. The plant itself is a great source of nutrition and can provide many health benefits when incorporated into one’s diet.

The name Lamb’s quarters stems from an old English word – ‘lamb-quarter’, a word that refers to a quarter of a sheep’s hindquarters. In some parts of the United States, the plant is also known as ‘goosefoot’, a reference to the shape of its leaves which vaguely resemble the feet of a goose.

The plant itself can grow to up to 2 meters in height and has a distinct silvery white-green color. The leaves are egg-shaped, pointed at both ends, stalkless and jagged on their edges. The flowers are small and clustered together in short, upright spikes with a greenish white hue. Once fully matured, it produces a small, dusty seed.

Although the Lamb’s quarters plant is found through all parts of the world, it is native to Europe, West Asia and North Africa. Lamb’s quarters can usually be found growing in soils with good drainage, typically in places lacking moisture, sunlight and other forms of competition, such as existing vegetation.

Lamb’s quarters is typically harvested during early summer before it has the chance to develop its brilliant silvery hue. The newly harvested leaves are tender and delicious and can be used for a variety of culinary purposes, although the most popular is as a salad green. The leaves can also be cooked and used during the winter months, as part of any number of traditional dishes from around the world.

When eaten raw, Lamb’s quarters contains a wide range of vitamins, including vitamins A, C, K, and B6. In addition, the plant contains various minerals like magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, potassium and calcium. As such, Lamb’s quarters can help boost the immune system, regulate blood sugar levels and aid in digestion.

Lamb’s quarters is also credited with numerous other health-related benefits, including its use in relieving symptoms associated with inflammatory illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis and ulcers. With its high nutritional profile and availability in most of the world, Lamb’s quarters is an easy and cost-effective way to get added nutrition into one’s diet.

Although Lamb’s quarters is considered edible, there are some cautions and potential risks one should be aware of. As with any foraged food, the potential for wild plants to be contaminated with herbicides or pesticides is always present. For this reason, it is best to only consume herbs from a reliable source such as a certified organic farm, or from areas that are free from toxins. Additionally, because Lamb’s quarters are a member of the Chenopodaceae family, individuals with allergies to the artichoke, spinach or beetroot would be wise to avoid this plant.

Overall, Lamb’s quarters is an incredibly nutritious and versatile edible weed. Wild plants such as these are a great source of nutrition and can be used to make a variety of delicious dishes. When picking and consuming any wild plant, however, it is important to research its safety and ensure it has been sourced from a trusted source.