Protein content
A 2 tbsp serving of flaxseed contains 3.8 g of protein - a moderate source of protein, about 8% of the 50 g Daily Value.
Share of this food's calories that come from protein - it is more of an energy food than a protein food.
| Serving | 2 tbsp (21 g) |
|---|---|
| Protein per serving | 3.8 g |
| Protein per 100 g | 18.3 g |
| Calories per serving | 112 kcal |
| Protein density | 14% of calories |
| Share of 50 g Daily Value | 8% |
| Protein quality | Incomplete protein |
| Category | Seeds |
| Food type | Whole food |
| USDA record | FoodData Central #169414 |
A typical 2 tbsp serving of flaxseed contains 3.8 grams of protein (18.3 g per 100 g), which makes it a moderate source of protein. That covers roughly 8% of the 50 g reference Daily Value, so it adds toward your protein total for the day.
Around 14% of the calories in flaxseed come from protein, so it is more of an energy food than a protein food. It contributes to a day's protein total, but the bulk of what it delivers is energy rather than amino acids - treat it as a contributor alongside a denser source, not as the protein in a meal.
Among the 27 seeds in the database, flaxseed ranks 24th by protein per serving, and 554th out of all 796 foods on the site. Set against lotus seeds, another seed entry in the database, a serving carries about 0.5 g less protein (lotus seeds has 4.3 g per 1 oz).
It is an incomplete protein on its own; pairing it with other plant foods across the day covers the full range of essential amino acids. The serving above is measured by volume at 21 g. The per-100 g figure lets you compare it directly against any other food here, whatever its serving.
Source: USDA FoodData Central #169414 - "Seeds, flaxseed" (SR Legacy, published 4/1/2019). Values are the published reference figures for that record, not lab measurements for a specific brand or batch.
Quick answers
Flaxseed has 18.3 g of protein per 100 g. A typical 2 tbsp serving (21 g) provides 3.8 g.
No. Flaxseed is an incomplete protein on its own; pairing it with other protein sources across the day covers the full range of essential amino acids.
A 2 tbsp serving of flaxseed contains 3.8 g of protein, about 8% of the 50 g reference Daily Value.
Flaxseed is a moderate source of protein, and about 14% of its calories come from protein, which makes it more of an energy food than a protein food. Set against lotus seeds, another seed entry in the database, a serving carries about 0.5 g less protein (lotus seeds has 4.3 g per 1 oz).
Related
Head to head