How to Weigh Banana for Calories Accurately (Easy Guide)
August 1, 2022
Do you love bananas but are often confused about their calorie contents? Let’s look at how to weigh a banana for calories accurately in your calorie deficit.
A banana can be weighed on a food scale pretty easily by taking off the peel and getting their weight in grams.
If you are trying to lose weight in a calorie deficit, it is important to accurately weigh your food so that you can track your intake and ensure that you are meeting your daily calorie goals.
Weighing bananas is a quick and easy way to get an accurate measure of their calorie content.
An easy trick would be to just weigh your banana, and once you figure out how many grams it has, multiply that number by 1 for a quick estimate.
If weighing bananas and you have a food scale that is not able to be zeroed, don’t forget to subtract the weight of the bowl you placed them in!
Should I Weigh a Banana With the Peel Off?
Bananas should be weighed after the peel is removed always.
The peel of a banana is not edible and should not be counted as part of the weight or calorie content.
If you weighed your bananas with the peel on, you would be adding weight that you are not even consuming, which would mean your calories from the banana would be way off.
Weighing your banana without the peel will give you a more accurate measure of the calorie content.
Why You Should Weigh Your Banana
Weighing bananas allows you to be more accurate in tracking the calories they contain.
It is easy to eyeball the size of the banana, but sometimes the look of them can be deceiving.
For example, a plump banana may have more calories than a smaller, skinnier one. It is not always about the length of a banana, but the overall thickness of them as well.
This is why weighing them is the best way to go if you can spare the time.
Bananas are often sold by the pound at the grocery store. If you want to be extra accurate in your calorie counting, weigh the bananas before peeling them when you eat them or are preparing foods with bananas as ingredients.
Do Ripe Bananas Have More Calories Than Unripe Bananas?
Ripe bananas do not contain more calories than unripe ones, although it may seem they do because they taste sweeter.
The main difference between ripe and unripe bananas is that unripe bananas have more starch content.
As bananas ripen, the starch is converted into sugars, which is why they taste sweeter.
However, there is no significant difference in calorie content between ripe and unripe bananas.
Do You Have to Always Weigh Bananas?
You do not have to weigh bananas if you are pressed for time or just think it is too tedious. You can estimate their size if you have a good eye.
However, if you are new to tracking calories or are trying to lose weight, it is always best to weigh your food at first. This will help you get a better idea of portion sizes and the calorie content of what you are eating.
Once you start weighing the foods you eat, you may be surprised to learn that your estimations have been drastically off for awhile.
After you have been weighing foods for a while and become more familiar with common sizes and portions, you may be able to estimate the size and calorie content of certain foods without having to weigh them every time.
If you do underestimate the size of your bananas and the calories are off, it is not the end of the world.
You are not likely to go over your calorie amount as long as everything else you are eating over the course of the day is accurate.
In the grand scheme of things, this is relatively minuscule because what matters is that you maintain a calorie deficit over a longer period of time, not one day.
Are Bananas a Good Food For Weight Loss?
Bananas are a great option for individuals who want to lose weight because they are low in calories and fat.
They also contain fiber, which can help you feel full longer.
Bananas are a good source of potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. They also contain some magnesium and copper inside.
While bananas are a healthy food, the calories from them need to be accounted for. Long weight comes down to burning more calories than you are consuming.
If you are trying to lose weight, bananas are a smart food to include in your arsenal.
Just be sure to account for the calories in your overall daily intake.
Final Thoughts
Weighing bananas with a food scale is the best way to get an accurate measure of their calorie content.
If you do not want to, or are not able to weigh your banana, you can remember that a small to medium banana will have on average 90-110 calories.
Don’t forget! The peel of a banana should be removed before weighing. Also, do not forget to subtract the weight of the bowl you use on your scale if you have a model that is not able to be zeroed.
Weighing your banana will allow you to be more accurate in tracking the calories they contain so that your calorie tracking will be correct and on point.
