Cherry Tomato Calories: 3 Per Tomato, 27 Per Cup (Exact Count)

One medium-sized cherry tomato (approximately 17 grams) contains just 3 calories, while a standard 1-cup serving (149 grams) provides only 27 calories. This makes cherry tomatoes an exceptionally low-calorie food option that's perfect for weight management and healthy eating plans.

Curious about how these tiny powerhouses fit into your daily nutrition goals? You're not alone. Millions of health-conscious eaters, meal preppers, and fitness enthusiasts search for this exact information every month. Understanding the precise calorie content of cherry tomatoes helps you make informed choices without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.

Cherry Tomato Calorie Breakdown: Practical Measurements

While scientific data often references 100-gram portions, real-world eating involves whole tomatoes or common serving sizes. Here's what you actually need to know:

Measurement	Calories	Weight	Equivalent
Per cherry tomato	3	17g	One average-sized tomato
Half cup	14	75g	About 4-5 tomatoes
1 cup	27	149g	Approximately 9 tomatoes
100g	18	100g	Standard nutritional reference
1 pint container	90-110	300g	Typical grocery store package

This precise breakdown comes from the USDA FoodData Central database, the gold standard for nutritional information in the United States (fdc.nal.usda.gov). The data reflects raw, unprocessed cherry tomatoes without added ingredients.

Why Cherry Tomatoes Are Nutrition Powerhouses

While their calorie count is impressively low, cherry tomatoes deliver remarkable nutritional value beyond just numbers. A single cup provides:

• 25% of your daily vitamin C needs for immune support
• 15% of vitamin A for eye health
• Significant lycopene content, a powerful antioxidant
• Only 1.2 grams of natural sugar per serving
• Negligible fat content (0.3g per cup)

According to research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the smaller size of cherry tomatoes actually concentrates certain nutrients compared to larger tomato varieties. Their thin skin and high water content (95%) make them exceptionally hydrating while delivering maximum nutrition per bite.

How Cherry Tomato Calories Compare to Other Snacks

Understanding where cherry tomatoes fit in your daily eating pattern requires context. Consider these comparisons:

• One cup cherry tomatoes (27 calories) vs. one small apple (77 calories)
• Nine cherry tomatoes (27 calories) vs. 15 baby carrots (35 calories)
• One pint container (100 calories) vs. single-serve hummus cup (70-100 calories)
• Per calorie, cherry tomatoes provide 3x more vitamin C than strawberries

This nutritional advantage explains why registered dietitians consistently recommend cherry tomatoes as a go-to snack for weight management. The National Institutes of Health notes that high-volume, low-calorie foods like cherry tomatoes help create satiety while minimizing caloric intake—a key strategy for sustainable weight management (nih.gov).

Factors That Affect Cherry Tomato Calorie Counts

While the standard values are remarkably consistent, several factors can slightly influence the actual calorie content you consume:

• Variety differences: Sweet 100 varieties contain about 2-3% more natural sugars than standard red cherry tomatoes
• Ripeness level: Fully ripe tomatoes have slightly higher sugar content (and thus marginally more calories) than underripe ones
• Preparation methods: Roasting concentrates sugars through water evaporation, increasing calories per gram by about 15%
• Added ingredients: Tossing in olive oil adds approximately 120 calories per tablespoon

For accurate tracking, registered dietitians recommend weighing your portions rather than counting individual tomatoes, as size variation between varieties can affect calorie counts by up to 20%. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics confirms that visual estimation of small fruits often leads to significant miscalculations in calorie tracking (eatright.org).

Practical Ways to Enjoy Cherry Tomatoes Without Counting Calories

The beauty of cherry tomatoes lies in their versatility. Here are three expert-recommended approaches that maximize enjoyment while maintaining awareness of calorie content:

1. The 100-Calorie Rule: Fill half your lunch container with cherry tomatoes (about 35 tomatoes) for just 100 calories, creating volume without excess calories
2. Smart Pairing Strategy: Combine one cup cherry tomatoes (27 calories) with 1 ounce feta cheese (75 calories) for a satisfying 100-calorie snack rich in protein and flavor
3. Flavor Boosting Technique: Roast cherry tomatoes with herbs instead of adding oil—this concentrates flavor while keeping calories minimal (about 30 calories per cup after roasting)

Professional chefs like those at the Culinary Institute of America emphasize that understanding the natural sugar content in cherry tomatoes (approximately 2.5g per 100g) helps balance flavors without added sweeteners—a technique that maintains low calorie counts while enhancing taste.

Cherry Tomatoes Through History: An Evolutionary Perspective

Modern cherry tomatoes weren't always the consistent low-calorie option we know today. Historical analysis shows significant evolution:

• Pre-1970s: Wild cherry tomato varieties contained higher sugar concentrations (up to 5g per 100g) as a survival mechanism
• 1970-1990: Selective breeding reduced sugar content while increasing lycopene levels, lowering calories per serving
• 1990-Present: Modern varieties maintain consistent 2-3g sugar per 100g, creating the ideal low-calorie, high-nutrient profile

This evolutionary timeline, documented by agricultural researchers at Cornell University (cals.cornell.edu), explains why today's cherry tomatoes offer superior nutritional value compared to historical varieties.

Maximizing Nutritional Benefits While Tracking Calories

To get the most from your cherry tomatoes while maintaining awareness of calorie intake:

• Store at room temperature to preserve vitamin C content (refrigeration can reduce nutrients by up to 10%)
• Eat with a small amount of healthy fat (like avocado) to increase absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
• Choose vine-ripened varieties for maximum lycopene content
• Include in salads rather than eating alone to create balanced nutrition

Nutrition science confirms that the combination of low calories and high nutrient density makes cherry tomatoes an exceptional choice for those monitoring their dietary intake. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that populations consuming high amounts of low-calorie density foods like cherry tomatoes show better long-term weight management outcomes.

Do different colored cherry tomatoes have different calorie counts?

All cherry tomato varieties (red, yellow, orange, purple) contain approximately 3 calories per tomato. Color variations affect nutrient profiles more than calorie content, with purple varieties containing slightly more antioxidants but virtually identical calorie counts.

How many cherry tomatoes equal 100 calories?

Approximately 33-35 average-sized cherry tomatoes (about 2 cups) contain 100 calories. This can vary slightly based on size and variety, with larger tomatoes requiring fewer to reach 100 calories.

Are cherry tomatoes good for weight loss?

Yes, cherry tomatoes are excellent for weight loss due to their extremely low calorie density (only 27 calories per cup) and high water content (95%). They provide volume and nutrients while contributing minimally to daily calorie intake, helping create satiety without excess calories.

Does cooking cherry tomatoes change their calorie content?

Cooking concentrates calories per gram as water evaporates, but doesn't change total calories per serving. One cup of raw cherry tomatoes (27 calories) becomes about half a cup when roasted (still 27 calories). The calorie count per actual serving remains the same, but portion size decreases.

How do cherry tomatoes compare to regular tomatoes for calories?

Cherry tomatoes and regular tomatoes have nearly identical calorie content per weight (about 18 calories per 100g). The main difference is that cherry tomatoes' smaller size makes portion control easier, while regular tomatoes require cutting for accurate measurement.