Large Tomato Calories: 33 Calories in 182g Serving

A large tomato (approximately 182g) contains 33 calories, making it an excellent low-calorie addition to any healthy diet. This nutritional powerhouse delivers essential vitamins and fiber with minimal energy intake.

Curious about how this vibrant fruit fits into your daily nutrition goals? Whether you're tracking calories for weight management, building balanced meals, or simply making smarter food choices, understanding the precise nutritional value of common ingredients like tomatoes is essential. This guide delivers scientifically verified information you can trust, with practical applications for real-world meal planning.

Nutritional Breakdown of a Large Tomato

When you're monitoring your calorie intake, precision matters. According to the USDA FoodData Central database, a large tomato weighing approximately 182 grams provides:

Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value
Calories	33	2%
Total Fat	0.4g	1%
Carbohydrates	7.1g	3%
Dietary Fiber	2.2g	8%
Sugars	5g	-
Protein	1.6g	3%
Vitamin C	23mg	26%
Vitamin A	833IU	17%
Potassium	430mg	12%

This comprehensive nutritional profile reveals why tomatoes are considered a nutritional powerhouse despite their low calorie count. The high water content (approximately 95%) contributes to their hydrating properties while providing essential nutrients without significant energy density.

Tomato Size Comparison Guide

Understanding what constitutes a "large" tomato is crucial for accurate calorie tracking. The USDA defines standard tomato sizes as follows:

Size Category	Weight (grams)	Calories	Diameter
Small	100g	18	2.25 inches
Medium	148g	27	2.75 inches
Large	182g	33	3.0 inches
Extra Large	242g	44	3.5 inches

These standardized measurements come from the USDA's National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, ensuring consistency in nutritional tracking. When meal planning, weighing your tomatoes provides the most accurate calorie calculation, as natural variations occur between individual fruits.

Factors That Influence Tomato Calorie Content

While the standard large tomato contains 33 calories, several factors can cause minor variations in nutritional content:

• Growing conditions: Soil composition, water availability, and sunlight exposure affect sugar content
• Ripeness level: Fully ripe tomatoes contain slightly more natural sugars than underripe ones
• Varietal differences: Different tomato cultivars have varying sugar concentrations
• Preparation methods: Cooking concentrates flavors and slightly increases calorie density per volume

According to research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, modern tomato varieties have evolved significantly from their wild ancestors. While wild tomatoes contained higher concentrations of certain compounds, modern cultivated varieties offer more consistent nutritional profiles that nutritionists can reliably reference for dietary planning.

Health Benefits Beyond Calories

The value of tomatoes extends far beyond their modest calorie count. These nutritional powerhouses deliver several health-promoting compounds:

• Lycopene: A powerful antioxidant responsible for tomatoes' red color, associated with reduced risk of heart disease and certain cancers
• Vitamin C: Supports immune function and skin health (one large tomato provides over 25% of your daily needs)
• Potassium: Essential for proper nerve function and blood pressure regulation
• Dietary fiber: Promotes digestive health and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels

Research from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health indicates that consuming tomatoes and tomato products may contribute to cardiovascular health. The combination of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals creates a synergistic effect that benefits overall health beyond what isolated nutrients might provide.

Practical Applications for Your Diet

Understanding tomato calories becomes valuable when incorporated into real-world meal planning:

• Weight management: Add large tomatoes to salads instead of higher-calorie ingredients for volume without excess energy
• Meal prep: Include tomatoes in vegetable mixes for lunches to boost nutrition without significant calorie addition
• Snacking: Enjoy tomatoes with a sprinkle of herbs as a refreshing, low-calorie snack
• Cooking: Use tomatoes as a base for sauces to add flavor and moisture without needing excessive oil

Professional chefs often leverage tomatoes' natural acidity and sweetness to enhance dishes while keeping calorie counts in check. When tracking your intake, remember that preparation methods significantly impact final calorie content—adding oil, cheese, or dressings will increase the overall energy value substantially.

Common Questions About Tomato Nutrition

Many people have specific questions about incorporating tomatoes into their dietary plans. Here are answers to frequently asked questions based on current nutritional science.