Egg Drop Soup Calories & Nutrition Facts (Per Cup)

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A 1 cup (245 g) serving of egg drop soup has about 66 calories, 3 g protein, 10 g carbs, 1.5 g fat and 907 mg sodium. It is a light, low-calorie soup, and the sodium from the broth is the number to watch.

Quick Nutrition Facts

Per 1 cup (245 g)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	66 kcal
Protein	2.8g
Carbohydrates	10.5g
Fiber	1g
Sugars	0.2g
Fat	1.5g
Sodium	907 mg

Macronutrient Breakdown

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NUTRITIONIST'S INSIGHT

Egg drop soup is chicken broth thickened with cornstarch and swirled with beaten egg. The USDA record lists 27 kcal per 100 g, so a 245 g cup comes to about 66 kcal, with roughly 63% of calories from carbohydrate (mostly cornstarch) and only 1.5 g of fat. Protein is modest at 2.8 g a cup, because the egg is spread across a lot of broth. Sodium is the main issue: 370 mg per 100 g gives 907 mg a cup, about 39% of the 2,300 mg daily limit, and a restaurant bowl of 1.5 to 2 cups can pass the whole day's 1,500 mg ideal limit the AHA recommends for most adults. Eating it before a meal is an easy way to add volume for few calories, and making it at home with low-sodium broth cuts the salt sharply. Adding tofu, extra egg or greens raises protein and fiber without changing the base much.

Myth Busters

MYTH #1: Egg drop soup is a high-protein soup because it is made with eggs.

TRUTH: A cup has only 2.8 g of protein according to the USDA record, because one beaten egg is stretched across several cups of broth. It is a light soup, not a protein source. Soup, egg drop: USDA FoodData Central FNDDS (FDC 2707282)

MYTH #2: Egg drop soup is low in sodium because it is so light.

TRUTH: The USDA lists 370 mg of sodium per 100 g, which is about 907 mg in a 245 g cup, or roughly 39% of the 2,300 mg daily limit. The broth and any added soy sauce or bouillon supply nearly all of it. Soup, egg drop: USDA FoodData Central FNDDS (FDC 2707282); Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025: USDA and HHS; How much sodium should I eat per day?: American Heart Association

MYTH #3: Egg drop soup has almost no carbs.

TRUTH: Cornstarch thickens the broth, so a cup has about 10.5 g of carbohydrate. It is still low, but not zero, which matters if you count carbs on a keto or diabetes plan. Soup, egg drop: USDA FoodData Central FNDDS (FDC 2707282)

MYTH #4: Restaurant egg drop soup and homemade egg drop soup have the same nutrition.

TRUTH: The calories are close, but sodium differs a lot. The USDA restaurant-style record has 370 mg per 100 g, while soup made with low-sodium broth can be well under half that. Soup, egg drop, Chinese restaurant: USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy (FDC 174807); Soup, egg drop: USDA FoodData Central FNDDS (FDC 2707282)

NutriScore by Health Goals

Health Goal	NutriScore	Why This Score?
Weight Loss		66 kcal per 245 g cup is very low for the volume, and a warm broth starter can help you eat less of the main meal. Sodium can cause water retention, so choose low-sodium broth. Soup, egg drop: USDA FoodData Central FNDDS (FDC 2707282)
Muscle Gain		2.8 g of protein per cup is too low to count as a protein source. Add tofu, shredded chicken or extra egg to make it useful. Soup, egg drop: USDA FoodData Central FNDDS (FDC 2707282)
Diabetes Management		10.5 g of carbohydrate and almost no sugar per cup is a small load with little blood sugar effect. The sodium, 907 mg a cup, matters for blood pressure, which is often a concern with diabetes. Soup, egg drop: USDA FoodData Central FNDDS (FDC 2707282); How much sodium should I eat per day?: American Heart Association
Heart Health		Fat is low at 1.5 g a cup, but 907 mg of sodium is about 39% of the daily limit in one cup, and a restaurant bowl can double that. Soup, egg drop: USDA FoodData Central FNDDS (FDC 2707282); How much sodium should I eat per day?: American Heart Association; Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025: USDA and HHS

PERSONALIZED NUTRITION

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Blood Sugar Response to Egg Drop Soup

Egg drop soup has only about 10 g of carbohydrate per cup, mostly cornstarch dissolved in broth, so blood sugar rises only a little and returns to baseline within about 90 minutes. The egg and liquid slow absorption slightly. Soup, egg drop: USDA FoodData Central FNDDS (FDC 2707282)

Estimated Glucose Response (1 cup egg drop soup)

Illustrative curve for a healthy adult, based on the 10.5 g of carbohydrate in the USDA record. Individual responses vary with portion, what else is on the plate, prior activity and metabolic health. Not medical advice.

How to flatten the spike

Have it as a starter before rice or noodles so the meal's carbs are digested more slowly.
Ask for a cup rather than a large bowl, which can hold 2 cups and 20 g or more of carbohydrate.
Stir in tofu, extra egg or shredded chicken to raise protein.
Use low-sodium broth at home to keep sodium under about 400 mg a cup.
Take a 10 to 15 minute walk after a larger meal.

Cultural Significance

Egg drop soup is known in Chinese cooking as dan hua tang, or egg flower soup, named for the way beaten egg forms ribbons in hot broth. It is a standard starter on Chinese-American restaurant menus and a quick home soup across China, where it is made in minutes from stock and a single egg. Italian stracciatella is a close relative, using egg and cheese in broth.

Compare & Substitute

Egg Drop Soup vs Similar Foods

Nutrient	Hot and sour soup (1 cup, restaurant style)	Wonton soup (1 cup)	Chicken noodle soup (1 cup)	Miso soup (1 cup)
Calories	91 kcal	71 kcal	62 kcal	40 kcal
Protein	6.1g	4.7g	3.2g	3g
Carbohydrates	9.5g	9g	7.3g	5g
Fat	3g	1.8g	2.4g	1.2g

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in egg drop soup?

A 1 cup (245 g) serving has about 66 calories according to the USDA. A restaurant bowl of 1.5 to 2 cups has about 100 to 130 calories.

How much protein is in egg drop soup?

About 2.8 g per cup, since the egg is spread across a lot of broth. Adding tofu or extra egg raises it.

How many carbs are in egg drop soup?

About 10.5 g per cup, with 1 g of fiber and 0.2 g of sugar. Most of the carbohydrate comes from the cornstarch thickener.

Is egg drop soup good for weight loss?

Yes, it fits well. At 66 kcal a cup it adds volume for few calories, and it works as a starter. Choose low-sodium broth if you notice bloating.

Is egg drop soup high in sodium?

Yes. The USDA record shows 907 mg per cup, about 39% of the 2,300 mg daily limit. Homemade soup with low-sodium broth is much lower.

Is egg drop soup keto?

It is low in carbs at about 10.5 g a cup, but the cornstarch makes it a poor fit for strict keto. Leave out the cornstarch or use a small amount of xanthan gum at home.