How Many Calories in a Slice of Tomato? Exact Count Revealed

A single slice of raw tomato (approximately 1/8 of a medium tomato or 15g) contains about 2-3 calories, making it an exceptionally low-calorie food perfect for weight management and healthy eating plans.

Understanding the precise calorie content of everyday foods helps you make informed dietary choices without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. Whether you're tracking macros, managing weight, or simply curious about what you eat, knowing the exact caloric value of tomato slices provides valuable context for your meal planning.

Breaking Down Tomato Nutrition Facts

Tomatoes rank among the lowest-calorie vegetables you can add to your plate. According to the USDA FoodData Central database, the nutritional profile of a typical tomato slice looks like this:

Nutrient	Amount per Slice (15g)
Calories	2-3
Total Fat	0g
Carbohydrates	0.5g
Dietary Fiber	0.2g
Sugar	0.3g
Protein	0.2g

This nutritional breakdown comes directly from the USDA FoodData Central, the most authoritative source for food composition information in the United States. Their comprehensive database provides standardized measurements that nutrition professionals rely on for accurate dietary planning.

How Tomato Varieties Affect Calorie Content

Not all tomatoes contain exactly the same number of calories per slice. Several factors influence the precise caloric value:

• Size matters: A slice from a large beefsteak tomato contains more calories than one from a small cherry tomato
• Water content: Juicier varieties like heirlooms have slightly fewer calories per gram than denser varieties
• Ripeness level: Fully ripe tomatoes contain marginally more natural sugars (and thus calories) than underripe ones

For practical calorie counting purposes, most nutritionists recommend using the standard 2-3 calories per slice measurement regardless of variety, as the differences are minimal for dietary tracking.

Tomato Slices in Your Daily Nutrition Plan

With only 2-3 calories per slice, tomatoes offer remarkable nutritional density without caloric burden. Consider these practical applications:

Weight Management Strategy

Adding tomato slices to sandwiches, burgers, or wraps increases volume and satisfaction while adding negligible calories. This technique, known as volumetrics, helps create the feeling of eating more food without exceeding calorie goals.

Nutrient Boost Without Calorie Cost

Beyond their minimal calorie contribution, tomato slices deliver valuable nutrients:

• Vitamin C (about 4% of daily value per slice)
• Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant
• Potassium for heart health
• Hydration from high water content

How Many Tomato Slices Equal Common Calorie Benchmarks?

Understanding portion sizes helps contextualize tomato calories within your diet. Based on USDA data:

Calorie Target	Equivalent Tomato Slices
10 calories	4-5 slices
50 calories	20-25 slices
100 calories	40-50 slices

This comparison illustrates why tomatoes are such valuable components of calorie-conscious diets. You'd need to eat approximately 40-50 slices to reach just 100 calories—equivalent to a single small cookie or handful of chips.

Tomato Calorie Context: Real-World Food Comparisons

Putting tomato calories in perspective with common foods shows their exceptional value:

• One tablespoon of mayonnaise (90 calories) equals about 30-45 tomato slices
• A single slice of cheese (80-100 calories) equals 40-50 tomato slices
• One tablespoon of olive oil (120 calories) equals 50-60 tomato slices

These comparisons highlight why nutritionists consistently recommend adding tomatoes to meals—they enhance flavor and nutrition while contributing almost nothing to your daily calorie total.

Practical Tips for Using Tomatoes in Calorie-Conscious Eating

Maximize the benefits of tomatoes in your diet with these evidence-based strategies:

1. Boost sandwich satisfaction: Add 3-4 tomato slices to sandwiches to increase volume without meaningful calorie addition
2. Create flavorful salads: Combine tomato slices with cucumber and bell peppers for a 15-calorie base that fills half your plate
3. Enhance protein dishes: Top grilled chicken or fish with tomato slices instead of high-calorie sauces
4. Make guilt-free snacks: Enjoy tomato slices with a sprinkle of herbs instead of processed snacks
5. Track accurately: When counting calories, remember that one medium tomato (123g) contains approximately 22 calories

Common Questions About Tomato Calories

Many people have specific questions about tomato nutrition that go beyond basic calorie counts. Here are answers to frequently asked questions based on current nutritional science.

Does the calorie count change if I cook tomato slices?

Cooking tomatoes slightly concentrates their calories by reducing water content. A cooked tomato slice contains about 3-4 calories compared to 2-3 raw, but the difference remains negligible for dietary tracking purposes.

Are tomato slices good for weight loss diets?

Yes, tomato slices are excellent for weight loss due to their extremely low calorie density. They add volume, fiber, and nutrients to meals while contributing minimal calories, helping you feel full while maintaining a calorie deficit.

How many tomato slices equal one serving of vegetables?

One serving of vegetables equals approximately 1 cup of raw vegetables or 1/2 cup cooked. For tomatoes, this equals about 8-10 average slices (one medium tomato), containing roughly 22 calories according to USDA dietary guidelines.

Do different colored tomatoes have different calorie counts?

Yellow and orange tomato varieties contain slightly more natural sugars (about 10% more) than red varieties, resulting in marginally higher calories per slice (3-4 vs 2-3). However, this difference is too small to impact dietary planning significantly.