Beefsteak Tomato Calories: Exact Count & Nutrition Facts

Beefsteak Tomato Calories: Exact Count & Nutrition Facts
A single medium beefsteak tomato (approximately 182g) contains just 33 calories, making it an excellent low-calorie option for weight management and healthy eating plans. This nutrient-dense fruit provides essential vitamins and fiber with minimal energy intake.

When you're tracking your daily nutrition, knowing the exact beefsteak tomato calories can help you make informed dietary choices. Unlike processed foods that hide calories, this garden favorite delivers exceptional nutritional value with remarkably few calories per serving.

Understanding Beefsteak Tomato Nutrition Facts

Beefsteak tomatoes stand out not just for their size and flavor, but for their impressive nutritional profile. These large, meaty tomatoes provide substantial volume with minimal caloric impact, making them a favorite among health-conscious eaters and culinary professionals alike.

According to the USDA FoodData Central, the complete nutritional breakdown for a medium beefsteak tomato (182g) includes:

Nutrient Amount % Daily Value*
Calories 33 2%
Total Fat 0.6g 1%
Carbohydrates 7g 2%
Dietary Fiber 2.2g 8%
Sugar 5g -
Protein 1.6g 3%
Vitamin C 27mg 30%
Vitamin A 833IU 17%
Potassium 434mg 12%
Lycopene 25mg -

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Fresh beefsteak tomato sliced showing interior structure

How Beefsteak Tomatoes Compare to Other Varieties

Many people wonder how calories in beefsteak tomatoes compare to other popular tomato types. While all tomatoes are naturally low in calories, portion sizes and water content create slight variations:

Tomato Variety Typical Serving Size Calories Water Content
Beefsteak 1 medium (182g) 33 94.4%
Roma 1 medium (148g) 27 93.7%
Cherry 1 cup (149g) 27 92.7%
Grape 1 cup (149g) 28 92.5%
Heirloom 1 medium (182g) 32 94.5%

The slight differences in beefsteak tomato nutritional value compared to other varieties primarily come from their larger size and higher water content. Despite being the largest common tomato variety, beefsteak tomatoes maintain an exceptionally low calorie density.

Practical Applications for Healthy Eating

Understanding how many calories in a beefsteak tomato helps you incorporate them strategically into various dietary approaches:

  • Weight Management: With only 33 calories, a medium beefsteak tomato provides substantial volume and fiber to help you feel full without excess calories
  • Keto Diet: At just 7g total carbs and 4.8g net carbs per medium tomato, they fit within moderate keto carb limits
  • Diabetes Management: The low glycemic load (approximately 3) makes them suitable for blood sugar control
  • Heart Health: Potassium content supports healthy blood pressure levels

When tracking your beefsteak tomato calories for weight loss, remember that preparation method affects the final count. Adding olive oil, cheese, or dressings significantly increases the calorie content, while enjoying them raw preserves their naturally low-calorie profile.

Seasonal Impact on Nutritional Value

The time of year affects both flavor and nutrient density in beefsteak tomatoes. According to research from the University of Minnesota Extension, tomatoes harvested at peak summer season contain up to 40% more lycopene than off-season varieties. This powerful antioxidant gives tomatoes their red color and provides significant health benefits.

During summer months when beefsteak tomatoes are vine-ripened, they reach their nutritional peak. Off-season tomatoes, often picked green and ripened artificially, contain fewer nutrients despite having similar calorie counts. For maximum nutritional benefit, enjoy beefsteak tomatoes between July and September when they're at their seasonal best.

Common Misconceptions About Tomato Calories

Several myths persist about tomato nutrition that deserve clarification:

  • Myth: All tomatoes have the same calorie count regardless of size
  • Reality: Calorie content scales with weight - a 1-pound beefsteak tomato contains approximately 80 calories
  • Myth: Cooking tomatoes significantly increases their calorie content
  • Reality: Cooking concentrates flavors but doesn't add calories (unless oil or other ingredients are added)
  • Myth: The seeds and gel contain most of the calories
  • Reality: The seeds and gel contain minimal additional calories - the entire fruit has consistent nutritional density

When calculating beefsteak tomato calories per 100g, the standard value is 18 calories, which remains consistent across most tomato varieties. This makes them one of the lowest-calorie whole foods available.

Maximizing Nutritional Benefits

To get the most from your beefsteak tomatoes while maintaining their low-calorie advantage:

  • Enjoy them raw in salads or as snacks to preserve vitamin C content
  • Add a small amount of healthy fat (like olive oil) to increase lycopene absorption
  • Pair with black pepper to enhance antioxidant bioavailability
  • Store at room temperature until fully ripe, then refrigerate for short-term storage
  • Use the entire tomato, including seeds and gel, which contain valuable nutrients

For those tracking calories in large beefsteak tomatoes, remember that a typical restaurant-sized specimen (around 300g) contains approximately 55 calories - still remarkably low for its substantial size and satisfying texture.

Antonio Rodriguez

Antonio Rodriguez

brings practical expertise in spice applications to Kitchen Spices. Antonio's cooking philosophy centers on understanding the chemistry behind spice flavors and how they interact with different foods. Having worked in both Michelin-starred restaurants and roadside food stalls, he values accessibility in cooking advice. Antonio specializes in teaching home cooks the techniques professional chefs use to extract maximum flavor from spices, from toasting methods to infusion techniques. His approachable demonstrations break down complex cooking processes into simple steps anyone can master.