Calories in a Banana

November 30, 2008

Like other fruit, the question of calories in a banana is mainly answered by one word: sugar. Sugar is 35% of the banana’s weight and is responsible for more than 50% of the calories in a banana. So let’s check out the actual calories in a banana numbers:

• Small banana (101 gr, 6-7″): 90 calories in a banana
• Medium banana (118 gr, 7-8″): 105 calories in a banana
• Large banana (136 gr, 8-9″): 121 calories in a banana

Please bare in mind we are talking about fresh and raw bananas. The calories in a banana can change if you cook, fry or dry the banana. You would also loose all sorts of healthy nutrients. So as a general rule, it is preferred to eat the banana raw. Let’s compare for example the calories in a banana vs the calories in banana chips:

• 100 gr (3.5 oz) fresh and raw banana:89 calories
• 100 gr (3.5 oz) dry banana chips: 519 calories

One of the reasons for this huge difference in the calories in a banana is water. In a fresh banana 25% is actaully water, and in dry banana there’s is very little water.

It is also good to remember that besides the calories in a banana, the banana also a good source of vitamin C. A small banana consists of 15% of the recommended intake for adults, and a large banana has upto 20%.