bananas Calories

Banana Calories – Full Nutrition Facts

Bananas are one of the most popular fruits in the world — and one of the most misunderstood when it comes to calories. Some people avoid them thinking they’re “fattening,” while others eat several a day assuming they’re calorie-free health food. Neither extreme is accurate.

Quick Answer: A medium banana (118g) has 105 calories. A large banana (136g) has 121 calories. Ripeness changes sugar content but barely changes total calories.

📋 This guide covers: Calories by size, calories by ripeness, nutrition facts, banana vs other fruits, and whether bananas help or hurt weight loss.

This complete banana calories guide breaks down exactly what you’re eating — by size, by ripeness, and how it fits into a healthy diet.

Banana Calories by Size

Banana SizeWeightCaloriesCarbsFiber
Extra Small (under 6″)81g7219g2.1g
Small (6-7″)101g9023g2.6g
Medium (7-8″)118g10527g3.1g
Large (8-9″)136g12131g3.5g
Extra Large (9″+)152g13535g3.9g
1 Cup, Sliced150g13434g3.8g
🍌 Good to know: The bananas sold in most grocery stores are typically “medium” to “large” — around 105-121 calories, not the smaller convenience-store size some calorie charts assume.

Does Banana Ripeness Change Calories?

This is one of the most common banana questions — and the answer surprises most people:

RipenessCalories (medium)SugarResistant Starch
Green / Underripe1009gHigh
Yellow / Ripe10514gMedium
Brown-spotted / Overripe10517gLow
💡 Surprising fact: Total calories barely change as a banana ripens — but the type of carbohydrate does. Green bananas have more resistant starch (which acts more like fiber), while ripe bananas have more simple sugar.

Banana Nutrition Facts (Medium Banana, 118g)

NutrientAmount% Daily Value
Calories105
Carbohydrates27g10%
Fiber3.1g11%
Sugar14g
Protein1.3g3%
Potassium422mg9%
Vitamin B60.4mg22%
Vitamin C10mg11%
Why bananas are popular with athletes: High potassium (422mg) helps prevent muscle cramps, and the natural sugar provides quick, easily digestible energy — making bananas a favorite pre or post-workout snack.

Banana vs Other Common Fruits

FruitServingCaloriesPotassium
Banana (medium)118g105422mg
Apple (medium)182g95195mg
Orange (medium)131g62237mg
Avocadohalf, 68g120345mg
💡 Banana vs Apple: A banana has 10 more calories than an apple but nearly double the potassium — both are excellent low-calorie fruit choices, just with different nutrient strengths.

Are Bananas Good or Bad for Weight Loss?

Bananas have a mixed reputation in diet culture. Here’s the honest breakdown:

  • In favor: At 105 calories, a banana is a moderate-calorie snack with real fiber (3.1g) and nutrients — far better than processed snacks of similar calories.
  • Watch out for: Bananas are more calorie-dense than watery fruits like watermelon or berries, so portion awareness matters if you’re eating several per day.
  • Best use case: A great pre-workout snack or addition to oatmeal/smoothies, but not necessarily a “free” food to eat unlimited amounts of.
🍌 Bottom line: Bananas are not “fattening,” but eating 4-5 a day instead of 1-2 can add up to 400-500 extra calories — moderation is what matters, not the fruit itself.

Banana Calories FAQ

How many calories are in one banana?
A medium banana (118g) has 105 calories. This ranges from 72 calories for an extra small banana to 135 calories for an extra large one.

How many calories in 100g of banana?
100g of raw banana has approximately 89 calories.

Do riper bananas have more calories?
No — calories stay roughly the same as a banana ripens. What changes is the type of carbohydrate, shifting from resistant starch to simple sugar.

Are bananas fattening?
Not inherently. At 105 calories with 3.1g of fiber, a banana is a reasonably balanced snack. Eating multiple bananas daily can add up in calories, just like any food.

Is a banana good before a workout?
Yes — bananas provide quick-digesting carbohydrates and potassium, which can help with energy and muscle function during exercise.

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* Calorie and nutrition values are approximate and may vary by banana size, ripeness, and variety.

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