If you are wondering how many calories are in a slice of tomato, the short answer is: usually between 2 and 6 calories, depending on the tomato’s size, thickness, and how the tomato is cut. A standard slice from a medium raw tomato, cut into about eight equal pieces, contains roughly 3 calories. That makes tomato slices one of the most calorie-light fresh foods you can add to a plate, salad, sandwich, or snack. Because tomatoes are mostly water and contain very little fat, they provide flavor, color, and nutrients without adding much energy to your meal.
How Many Calories Are in a Slice of Tomato?
The exact number of calories in one tomato slice depends on the tomato’s size and how thick the slice is. A medium raw tomato usually weighs about 120 to 125 grams and contains around 22 calories in total. If you cut that tomato into 8 equal slices, each slice weighs about 15 grams and contains approximately 3 calories Small thing, real impact..
If the tomato is larger, the slice may contain more calories. A large tomato can weigh around 180 grams or more. If you cut it into 8 slices, each slice may weigh about 22 to 23 grams, which means each slice could contain around 4 to 5 calories.
If the slice is very thin, it may contain only 1 to 2 calories. If the slice is thick, it may contain 5 to 8 calories or more. So when people ask how many calories are in a slice of tomato, the most practical answer is:
Worth pausing on this one.
- Thin slice: about 1 to 2 calories
- Standard slice: about 3 calories
- Thick slice: about 4 to 6 calories
- Very thick or large slice: 6 to 8 calories or more
For most everyday meals, using 3 calories per slice is a reasonable estimate for a medium tomato cut into 8 slices.
Why Tomato Slices Are So Low in Calories
Tomatoes are naturally low in calories because they are made up mostly of water. A raw tomato is about 94 to 95 percent water. That high water content means each slice has very little mass, which keeps the calorie count low The details matter here..
Tomatoes also contain very little fat. In real terms, in fact, raw tomatoes contain only about 0. Still, 2 grams of fat per 100 grams. Since fat provides 9 calories per gram, even a small amount of fat can add calories. Because tomatoes have almost no fat, their calorie count remains very low.
The main source of energy in tomatoes is carbohydrates, especially natural sugars. 9 grams of carbohydrates**, including around **2.Still, the amount is small. Now, a 100-gram serving of raw tomato contains about 3. 6 grams of sugar. That is why tomato slices taste slightly sweet but do not have a high calorie load.
This is also why tomatoes are often used in weight-conscious eating, low-calorie diets, and healthy meal prep. They add volume, texture, and freshness without significantly increasing the total calorie count of a dish That's the whole idea..
How Slice Size and Thickness Change the Count
The phrase “a slice of tomato” can mean different things in different kitchens. Some people slice tomatoes very thinly for sandwiches, while others cut them into thick wedges for salads or bruschetta. The difference matters when you are
weighing ingredients for a recipe or counting macros for the day. A thin slice on a sandwich might barely register on your tracker, while a thick wedge in a salad could add a few more. If you are aiming for precision, using a kitchen scale is the best way to know exactly what you are eating. Volume also plays a role—stacking multiple thin slices can quickly add up, even though each individual slice is low in calories But it adds up..
Beyond calories, tomato slices offer other nutritional benefits worth noting. They are a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene, an antioxidant linked to heart health and skin protection. These nutrients remain largely
