Food List

High-Magnesium Foods

Magnesium is involved in hundreds of processes in the body, from muscle and nerve function to energy production and sleep. Many people fall short of the recommended intake. This list ranks foods by magnesium content so you can top up from whole foods.

Food Magnesium Per 100 g Per serving
Hemp seeds Nuts & seeds 700 mg 553 kcal P 32 · C 9 · F 49 · Fib 4 30 g (1.1 oz) 166 kcal · P 9.6 1 3 tbsp
Pumpkin seeds Nuts & seeds 592 mg 559 kcal P 30 · C 11 · F 49 · Fib 6 28 g (1 oz) 157 kcal · P 8.4 1 handful
Flaxseed Nuts & seeds 392 mg 534 kcal P 18 · C 29 · F 42 · Fib 27 20 g (0.7 oz) 107 kcal · P 3.6 1 2 tbsp
Brazil nuts Nuts & seeds 376 mg 659 kcal P 14 · C 12 · F 67 · Fib 8 28 g (1 oz) 185 kcal · P 3.9 1 handful
Sesame seeds Nuts & seeds 351 mg 573 kcal P 18 · C 23 · F 50 · Fib 12 18 g (0.6 oz) 103 kcal · P 3.2 1 2 tbsp
Poppy seeds Nuts & seeds 347 mg 525 kcal P 18 · C 28 · F 42 · Fib 20 18 g (0.6 oz) 95 kcal · P 3.2 1 2 tbsp
Chia seeds Nuts & seeds 335 mg 486 kcal P 17 · C 42 · F 31 · Fib 34 24 g (0.8 oz) 117 kcal · P 4.1 1 2 tbsp
Sunflower seeds Nuts & seeds 325 mg 584 kcal P 21 · C 20 · F 51 · Fib 9 28 g (1 oz) 164 kcal · P 5.9 1 handful
Cashews Nuts & seeds 292 mg 553 kcal P 18 · C 30 · F 44 · Fib 3.3 28 g (1 oz) 155 kcal · P 5 1 handful
Almond butter Nuts & seeds 279 mg 614 kcal P 21 · C 19 · F 56 · Fib 10 32 g (1.1 oz) 196 kcal · P 6.7 1 2 tbsp
Cacao nibs Nuts & seeds 272 mg 615 kcal P 14 · C 36 · F 43 · Fib 33 28 g (1 oz) 172 kcal · P 3.9 1 portion
Almonds Nuts & seeds 270 mg 579 kcal P 21 · C 22 · F 50 · Fib 12 28 g (1 oz) 162 kcal · P 5.9 1 handful
Cashew butter Nuts & seeds 258 mg 587 kcal P 18 · C 28 · F 49 · Fib 2 32 g (1.1 oz) 188 kcal · P 5.8 1 2 tbsp
Pine nuts Nuts & seeds 251 mg 673 kcal P 14 · C 13 · F 68 · Fib 3.7 28 g (1 oz) 188 kcal · P 3.9 1 handful
Dark chocolate (85%) Oils & fats 228 mg 599 kcal P 7.8 · C 46 · F 43 · Fib 11 30 g (1.1 oz) 180 kcal · P 2.3 1 squares
Turmeric (fresh) Vegetables 208 mg 312 kcal P 9.7 · C 67 · F 3.3 · Fib 22 3 g (0.1 oz) 9 kcal · P 0.3 1 tsp
Oats (rolled, dry) Grains 177 mg 389 kcal P 17 · C 66 · F 7 · Fib 11 81 g (2.9 oz) 315 kcal · P 13.8 1 cup
Peanuts Nuts & seeds 168 mg 567 kcal P 26 · C 16 · F 49 · Fib 9 28 g (1 oz) 159 kcal · P 7.3 1 handful
Hazelnuts Nuts & seeds 163 mg 628 kcal P 15 · C 17 · F 61 · Fib 10 28 g (1 oz) 176 kcal · P 4.2 1 handful
Walnuts Nuts & seeds 158 mg 654 kcal P 15 · C 14 · F 65 · Fib 7 28 g (1 oz) 183 kcal · P 4.2 1 handful
Peanut butter Nuts & seeds 154 mg 588 kcal P 25 · C 20 · F 50 · Fib 6 32 g (1.1 oz) 188 kcal · P 8 1 2 tbsp
Popcorn (air-popped) Grains 144 mg 387 kcal P 13 · C 78 · F 4.5 · Fib 15 8 g (0.3 oz) 31 kcal · P 1 1 cup
Macadamia nuts Nuts & seeds 130 mg 718 kcal P 8 · C 14 · F 76 · Fib 9 28 g (1 oz) 201 kcal · P 2.2 1 handful
Pistachios Nuts & seeds 121 mg 560 kcal P 20 · C 28 · F 45 · Fib 10 28 g (1 oz) 157 kcal · P 5.6 1 handful
Pecans Nuts & seeds 121 mg 691 kcal P 9 · C 14 · F 72 · Fib 10 28 g (1 oz) 193 kcal · P 2.5 1 handful
Natto Legumes 115 mg 211 kcal P 19 · C 13 · F 11 · Fib 5.4 85 g (3 oz) 179 kcal · P 16.2 1 portion
Rye flakes (dry) Grains 110 mg 338 kcal P 10 · C 76 · F 2.5 · Fib 15 50 g (1.8 oz) 169 kcal · P 5 1 portion
Tahini Nuts & seeds 95 mg 595 kcal P 17 · C 21 · F 54 · Fib 9 30 g (1.1 oz) 179 kcal · P 5.1 1 2 tbsp
Goji berries (dried) Fruit 90 mg 349 kcal P 14 · C 77 · F 0.4 · Fib 13 28 g (1 oz) 98 kcal · P 3.9 1 portion
Soybeans (cooked) Legumes 86 mg 173 kcal P 17 · C 10 · F 9 · Fib 6 172 g (6.1 oz) 298 kcal · P 29.2 1 cup
Falafel Legumes 82 mg 333 kcal P 13 · C 32 · F 18 · Fib 5 51 g (1.8 oz) 170 kcal · P 6.6 1 3 pieces
Tempeh Legumes 81 mg 192 kcal P 20 · C 8 · F 11 100 g (3.5 oz) 192 kcal · P 20 1 portion
Swiss chard Vegetables 81 mg 19 kcal P 1.8 · C 3.7 · F 0.2 · Fib 1.6 36 g (1.3 oz) 7 kcal · P 0.6 1 cup
Spinach Vegetables 79 mg 23 kcal P 2.9 · C 3.6 · F 0.4 · Fib 2.2 30 g (1.1 oz) 7 kcal · P 0.9 1 cup
Mackerel Fish & seafood 76 mg 205 kcal P 19 · C 0 · F 14 120 g (4.2 oz) 246 kcal · P 22.8 1 fillet
Wholemeal bread Grains 76 mg 247 kcal P 13 · C 41 · F 3.4 · Fib 7 40 g (1.4 oz) 99 kcal · P 5.2 1 slice
Hummus Legumes 71 mg 166 kcal P 8 · C 14 · F 10 · Fib 6 60 g (2.1 oz) 100 kcal · P 4.8 1 portion
Black beans (cooked) Legumes 70 mg 132 kcal P 9 · C 24 · F 0.5 · Fib 9 172 g (6.1 oz) 227 kcal · P 15.5 1 cup
Anchovies (canned) Fish & seafood 69 mg 210 kcal P 29 · C 0 · F 10 45 g (1.6 oz) 95 kcal · P 13.1 1 portion
Figs (dried) Fruit 68 mg 249 kcal P 3.3 · C 64 · F 0.9 · Fib 10 50 g (1.8 oz) 125 kcal · P 1.7 1 3 figs
Amaranth (cooked) Grains 65 mg 102 kcal P 3.8 · C 19 · F 1.6 · Fib 2.1 246 g (8.7 oz) 251 kcal · P 9.3 1 cup
Quinoa (cooked) Grains 64 mg 120 kcal P 4.4 · C 21 · F 1.9 · Fib 2.8 185 g (6.5 oz) 222 kcal · P 8.1 1 cup
Crab Fish & seafood 63 mg 97 kcal P 19 · C 0 · F 1.5 100 g (3.5 oz) 97 kcal · P 19 1 portion
Edamame Legumes 62 mg 121 kcal P 12 · C 9 · F 5 · Fib 5 155 g (5.5 oz) 188 kcal · P 18.6 1 cup
Artichoke Vegetables 60 mg 47 kcal P 3.3 · C 11 · F 0.2 · Fib 5.4 120 g (4.2 oz) 56 kcal · P 4 1 medium
Cinnamon (ground) Vegetables 60 mg 247 kcal P 4 · C 81 · F 1.2 · Fib 53 3 g (0.1 oz) 7 kcal · P 0.1 1 tsp

Seeds, nuts, legumes, wholegrains and dark leafy greens are the richest sources. Pumpkin seeds, chia, almonds and dark chocolate stand out, so a handful of nuts or seeds is an easy daily top-up.

Frequently asked questions

What foods are highest in magnesium?

Per 100 g, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds lead, followed by nuts like almonds and cashews, dark chocolate, legumes such as black beans and soybeans, and wholegrains. Dark leafy greens like spinach are good lower-calorie sources.

Why is magnesium important?

Magnesium supports muscle and nerve function, energy production, blood sugar control and bone health. It is also linked to sleep quality and relaxation, which is why it has become a popular focus for overall wellbeing.

Can I get enough magnesium from food?

Yes. A diet with regular nuts, seeds, legumes, wholegrains and leafy greens easily covers magnesium needs. A daily handful of pumpkin seeds or almonds makes a noticeable contribution on its own.

Nutrition values are approximate, per 100 g, derived from the USDA FoodData Central database. Serving sizes are typical examples and will vary.

welanutria provides general information only and is not medical or dietary advice.