Tomato Calories: Exact Count Per Variety (2025 Data)

A medium-sized tomato (148g) contains approximately 25 calories, making it an exceptionally low-calorie food that's perfect for weight management and healthy eating plans. This nutrient-dense fruit provides essential vitamins and minerals with minimal energy intake.

Tomatoes are nutritional powerhouses that deliver maximum flavor and health benefits with minimal caloric impact. Understanding the precise calorie content helps you make informed dietary choices while enjoying this versatile produce staple. Whether you're tracking macros, managing weight, or simply curious about nutrition, knowing exactly what you're consuming matters.

Tomato Calorie Facts by Variety

Not all tomatoes are created equal when it comes to calorie content. The specific variety and serving size significantly impact the nutritional profile. Here's a detailed breakdown of common tomato types:

Tomato Variety	Typical Serving Size	Calories	Carbohydrates (g)	Fiber (g)
Medium Raw Tomato	148g (1 whole)	25	5.8	1.5
Roma Tomato	140g (1 whole)	27	6.2	2.0
Cherry Tomatoes	149g (about 15 pieces)	27	6.0	2.2
Beefsteak Tomato	182g (1 slice)	33	7.5	2.2
Canned Tomatoes	123g (½ cup)	25	5.8	1.9

Data sourced from the USDA FoodData Central, the official U.S. government nutrition database, ensures accuracy for meal planning and dietary tracking.

How Tomato Calories Fit Into Your Daily Nutrition

With just 25 calories per medium tomato, this vibrant fruit contributes minimally to your daily caloric intake while delivering significant nutritional value. For context:

• A single medium tomato represents less than 2% of a standard 2,000-calorie daily diet
• You would need to eat approximately 40 medium tomatoes to reach 1,000 calories
• Tomatoes provide 20% of your daily vitamin C needs in a single serving

This exceptional nutrient-to-calorie ratio makes tomatoes ideal for weight management strategies. Registered dietitians often recommend incorporating tomatoes into meal plans because they add volume and satisfaction without significant caloric impact—a principle known as energy density management.

Practical Applications for Daily Eating

Understanding tomato calories isn't just academic—it translates directly to real-world eating decisions. Consider these practical applications:

Meal Planning Strategies

When constructing balanced meals, tomatoes serve as excellent calorie dilution agents. Adding one cup of chopped tomatoes (32 calories) to a dish increases volume and nutrition while minimally affecting total calories. This technique helps create satisfying portions within calorie-controlled diets.

Snacking Smart

Instead of reaching for 100-calorie snack packs, try this nutrient-dense alternative: slice a medium tomato, sprinkle with herbs and a teaspoon of olive oil (40 calories total). You'll get more volume, better nutrition, and similar calories compared to processed snacks.

Cooking Methods That Preserve Nutrition

How you prepare tomatoes affects their nutritional profile. Research from the National Center for Biotechnology Information shows that cooking tomatoes increases lycopene bioavailability while maintaining low calorie content. However, avoid adding high-calorie sauces or excessive oils that negate the vegetable's natural low-calorie advantage.

Beyond Calories: The Complete Tomato Nutrition Profile

While calorie content matters, tomatoes offer far more nutritional value than just low energy density. A medium tomato provides:

• Vitamin C: 28% of your daily value—essential for immune function and skin health
• Vitamin A: 20% of daily value from beta-carotene—crucial for vision and immune support
• Lycopene: A powerful antioxidant associated with reduced risk of heart disease
• Potassium: 9% of daily value—important for blood pressure regulation
• Fiber: 1.5 grams per medium tomato—supports digestive health and satiety

According to dietary research published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nutrition monitoring data, people who regularly consume tomatoes and tomato products tend to have higher overall diet quality scores and better adherence to dietary guidelines.

Tomato Calorie Myths Debunked

Several misconceptions persist about tomato calories. Let's clarify:

• Myth: All tomato products have the same calorie count as fresh tomatoes
  Fact: Tomato sauces and pastes often contain added sugars and oils that significantly increase calories. Always check nutrition labels.
• Myth: Organic tomatoes have fewer calories than conventional
  Fact: Growing method doesn't affect calorie content. The USDA confirms identical nutritional profiles regardless of farming method.
• Myth: Larger tomatoes have more calories per ounce
  Fact: Calorie density remains consistent across varieties. Larger tomatoes simply provide more total calories because of increased volume.

Tracking Tomato Calories in Your Diet

For those monitoring their intake, here's how to accurately account for tomatoes:

• Weigh tomatoes when possible—calorie counts vary with size
• Use kitchen scales for precise measurement rather than estimating
• Remember that preparation method affects final calorie count (e.g., adding oil)
• Consider using nutrition tracking apps that include specific tomato varieties

Dietary professionals emphasize that while tracking calories matters for some goals, the overall nutritional package tomatoes provide makes them valuable regardless of strict calorie counting. The combination of low energy density with high micronutrient content creates what nutrition scientists call a nutrient-rich food.

How many calories are in a small tomato?

A small tomato (approximately 100g) contains about 18 calories. This serving size provides 12% of your daily vitamin C needs and 1.2 grams of dietary fiber.

Do cherry tomatoes have more calories than regular tomatoes?

Cherry tomatoes have slightly more calories per gram than larger varieties due to their higher skin-to-flesh ratio, but the difference is minimal. A 149g serving of cherry tomatoes (about 15 pieces) contains 27 calories, compared to 25 calories in a medium regular tomato of similar weight.

Are tomatoes good for weight loss?

Yes, tomatoes are excellent for weight loss due to their low calorie density (only 22 calories per 100g) and high water content (95%). They provide volume and satisfaction with minimal calories, helping you feel full while consuming fewer calories overall.

Does cooking tomatoes change their calorie content?

Cooking tomatoes doesn't significantly change their calorie content, but it does affect nutrient availability. Research shows cooking increases lycopene absorption while maintaining the same calorie count. However, adding oils or sugars during cooking will increase the total calories.

How many tomatoes can I eat in a day for optimal health?

There's no strict limit, but consuming 2-3 medium tomatoes daily provides substantial health benefits without nutritional imbalance. This amount delivers approximately 50-75 calories while supplying significant vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend 1.5-2 cups of vegetables daily, which can include tomatoes as part of your vegetable intake.