HOW MANY CALORIES ARE IN A BANANA? YOUR NUTRITIONAL GUIDE TO EVERYTHING 🍌

Turns out the Venn diagram crossover between bananas and calories — such as 'calories in banana' — on the internet is almost limitless, with nearly 200 million search results (and counting) seeking related nutritional information. A real bottomless pit of synonymic ponderings.

We attempt to answer all your banana-related calorie and nutrition questions, starting with the obvious...

How many calories are there in a banana?

Aka ‘How many calories in an average banana?’, ‘How many calories is a full-size banana?’, ‘Calories in 1 banana’ or our favourite, for those really in a hurry: ‘calories in banana’.

Though what we’d class as average and full-size is a bit of a minefield, a medium banana, which is classed as between 7-8 inches, contains 105 calories — and they are mostly around 100 calories.

An inch or so shorter and you’re looking at between 70-90 calories, an inch or so bigger (Googling ‘how many calories in a big banana?’ or ‘how many calories in a large ripe banana?’, you're in the right place...), 120-135 calories.

Is a banana high in calories?

Considering the benefits of bananas, they’re worth their place in your morning smoothie.

High in potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, fibre (one is 7% of your recommended daily intake, no less!), B vitamins and other essential nutrients that improve heart health, help manage blood pressure and lower blood pressure, bananas are an unsung hero.

Plus they're created in that transport-friendly little cape. Containing tryptophan, a protein that is converted into serotonin (one of the ‘happy hormones’) in the body, banana is even a mood-booster, known to help relax the mind, regulate sleep and aid concentration.

How much banana is 100 calories?

As we’ve covered, banana size is quite subjective, but around one to one and a half is a good bet. Bonus: 100g of banana is also one of your 5(-10)-a-day.

Are bananas OK for weight loss?

Absolutely, as weight loss simply involves a calorie deficit, bananas are a great addition to a healthy diet and weight management.

Are bananas good or bad carbs?

A big factor in banana suspicion is their carbohydrate percentage — a hefty 93%, with 4% protein and 3% fat. That works out at around 27g for that infamous ‘medium’ banana, and between 19-35g across the spectrum.

It’s worth noting that green bananas contain less digestible carbs and also high amounts of starch — some of it resistant starch, which is good for gut bacteria. As the bananas ripen and become yellow, this starch turns to sugar = more sweet, less healthy.

So, you may ask…

Do brown bananas have more calories?

Little science lesson: the calorie count of a fruit cannot change if it is no longer attached to the tree.

Though ripeness — or brownness — doesn’t impact the calories, it does impact the amount of sugar. You guessed it: the more ripe, the more concentrated the sugars become. And anyone who’s forgotten about a bunch at the back of a cupboard will know eventually they ferment — hello, (even-slightly-pushing-it-for-)banana bread.

Are bananas too much sugar?

No, in short, if you eat in moderation. With 14g of naturally occurring sugar (fructose — of max 25-40g a day) per medium-sized banana and 12g in 100g, they contain not much more than an apple.

Is it good to eat a banana every day?

A banana a day keeps the doctor away, as more people should say. But stick to 1-2 and as part of a balanced diet.

Why shouldn't we eat bananas at night?

There’s no evidence to suggest there’s a right or wrong time to eat a banana (quelle surprise), but it’s important not to eat them on an empty stomach as they're acidic. In a smoothie, yoghurt bowl or on porridge in the morning, you’re A-OK.

In fact, high in potassium, magnesium, tryptophan, vitamin B6, carbs and fibre, they may even be worth adding to your PM routine. Can bananas help you sleep, you ask? That would be a big science-backed yes.

How long does it take for a banana to digest?

It varies based on various factors, but generally, a banana will be digested in 30 minutes — making them a great high-energy snack, one for the gym bag for a little power-up pre-workout — and pass through your stomach and small intestine in two to three hours.

The bottom line: Eating a banana is healthier than eating half a pack of biscuits. They’re packed with potassium, a surprisingly good source of vitamin C, can help digestion and a great source of energy.