Banana Nutritional Content
A typical medium banana contains approximately 105 calories and 1.3 grams of protein.
Based on nutritional data from multiple sources, a medium banana (approximately 118g) provides around 22-23 grams of carbohydrates, with about 2.6 grams coming from dietary fiber 1. The protein content is relatively modest at approximately 0.33 grams per 100g of banana, which translates to roughly 1.3 grams for a medium-sized fruit 1.
Detailed Nutritional Breakdown
Macronutrient Composition:
- Calories: Approximately 89-105 kcal per medium banana
- Carbohydrates: 22.84 g per 100g 1, predominantly from natural sugars (12.23g) and dietary fiber (2.60g)
- Protein: 0.33 g per 100g 1, making bananas a relatively low-protein fruit
- Fat: Negligible amounts (essentially 0g)
Important Context: Bananas are classified as incomplete proteins, as plant-based foods typically lack one or more essential amino acids 2. The American Heart Association notes that fruits like bananas contain carbohydrates along with their minimal protein content 2.
Practical Implications
For Dietary Planning:
- Bananas contribute primarily to carbohydrate intake rather than protein requirements
- One medium banana counts as approximately one fruit serving in dietary guidelines 3
- The recommended daily protein intake for adults is 0.8 g/kg body weight 2, which cannot be meaningfully met through banana consumption alone
Nutritional Variability: Research shows that banana cultivars can vary in their exact nutritional composition based on variety, growing conditions, and ripeness stage 4, 5, 6. However, the general caloric and protein ranges remain consistent across most common varieties.