Averages based on 729 banana products in our database.
Banana nutrient highlights
Potassium
~358mg per 100gBananas are one of the most widely recognized potassium sources, though several other fruits and vegetables contain more potassium per 100g.
Total Sugars
~12g per 100gBananas contain naturally occurring sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose). Sugar content increases as the banana ripens. Dried and chip forms concentrate the sugars per gram.
Dietary Fiber
~2.6g per 100gA medium banana provides about 3g of fiber. Fiber content is moderate compared to other fruits. Unripe (green) bananas contain resistant starch, which functions similarly to fiber.
Calories
~89 per 100gA medium banana (about 118g) contains roughly 105 calories. Banana chips are significantly more calorie-dense at approximately 519 calories per 100g due to frying and added sugars.
Banana processing scores by brand
15 banana products ranked by processing score (lowest first) from our analysis.
How does processing affect banana?
In our analysis, fresh whole bananas are Level 1 (Minimally Processed) as a single-ingredient food with moderate banana calories (~89 per 100g). Frozen banana slices also score Level 1-2. Dried banana chips, however, frequently score Level 3-4 because most commercial banana chips are deep-fried in coconut or palm oil and coated with sugar and flavorings. The nutritional profile of banana chips differs substantially from fresh bananas due to the frying process.
Do bananas have fiber? Yes, about 2.6g per 100g, plus resistant starch in unripe bananas. Banana-flavored products (banana bread mixes, banana-flavored yogurts, banana pudding) are distinct product categories and typically score Level 3-4 in our database.
What should you look for on banana labels?
- 1Fresh bananas have no ingredient list because they are a whole, single-ingredient food. Processing questions apply to banana-derived products.
- 2Banana chips labeled "dried" may still be fried. Check for coconut oil, palm oil, or sugar in the ingredient list, since most commercial banana chips are fried, not simply dehydrated.
- 3Freeze-dried banana slices are typically less processed than fried banana chips. Look for ingredient lists with only "banana" or "organic banana."
- 4"Banana flavored" products rarely contain significant amounts of actual banana. They typically use artificial or natural banana flavoring.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in a banana?
A medium banana (about 118g) contains approximately 105 calories. Per 100g, bananas average about 89 calories. Small bananas (about 81g) contain roughly 72 calories; large bananas (about 136g) contain roughly 121 calories.
How much potassium is in a banana?
Bananas contain approximately 358mg of potassium per 100g. A medium banana provides about 422mg of potassium. While bananas are well known for potassium content, several other foods (including avocados, sweet potatoes, and spinach) contain more potassium per 100g.
Are banana chips ultra-processed?
In our analysis, most commercial banana chips score Level 3-4 because they are fried in oil (usually coconut or palm oil) and coated with sugar. Freeze-dried banana slices with no added ingredients score Level 1-2. The processing level depends on the preparation method and added ingredients.
How much sugar is in a banana?
A medium banana contains approximately 14g of naturally occurring sugars (a mix of glucose, fructose, and sucrose). Sugar content increases as bananas ripen; green bananas contain more starch and less sugar than fully ripe yellow bananas. These are naturally present sugars, not added sugars.
Are dried bananas the same nutritionally as fresh?
Dried banana products vary significantly. Freeze-dried bananas retain similar nutrients per gram of original fruit. However, fried banana chips contain substantially more calories (~519 vs ~89 per 100g) and fat due to the frying process. In our database, the two product types score very differently in processing levels.
Do bananas have fiber?
Yes, bananas contain approximately 2.6g of dietary fiber per 100g, or about 3.1g per medium banana. This is a moderate amount of fiber compared to other fruits. Unripe (green) bananas also contain resistant starch, which functions similarly to fiber during digestion. The fiber in bananas is a mix of soluble and insoluble types. Dried banana products concentrate the fiber per gram, but fried banana chips may offset any fiber benefit with added fat and sugar.