Lemons and limes are both good for you, but one of the two fruits may be better for your diet, depending on your nutritional needs and goals. Both lemons and limes are low in calories with minimal fat, but their nutritional profiles are slightly different. Both lemons and limes have a sweet, tangy flavor, and you can use the juice of these fruits to garnish a variety of dishes.
Calories
Lemons and limes have almost identical calorie counties. A 100-g lemon has 29 calories, while a 100-g lime has 30. Such a minute difference is unlikely to make a difference in your diet. If your diet is extremely austere, you're better off choosing a lemon or a lime over a banana, which has about 90 calories.
Fat
Although a lemon is slightly lower in calories, it is slightly higher in fat, with .3 g per 100 g, compared with .2 g per 100 g for a lime. Because 1 g of fat has nine calories, this difference amounts to less than one calorie and is unlikely to affect your health.
Carbohydrates
A lemon is lower in carbohydrates than a lime. A 100-g lemon has 9 g of carbohydrates, while a 100-g lime has 10.5 g. Both fruits are relatively low in carbohydrates, so both are appropriate for reduced-carbohydrate diets.
Fiber
Dietary fiber is a nutrient that supports stable blood-sugar levels and promotes feelings of fullness. Despite the difference in total carbohydrates, a lemon and a lime have the same amount of fiber: 2.8 g per 100 g of fruit.
Protein
A lemon is slightly higher in protein than a lime, with 1.1 g per 100-g serving, compared with .7 g for the lime. Neither fruit is rich in protein, a nutrient that promotes the structural integrity of your body's tissues.
Vitamins
In terms of vitamins, a lemon is higher in vitamin C and folate, while a lime is a better source of vitamin A and E. That would suggest that eating both, instead of one or the other might be a good idea.
Minerals
Lemons and limes offer many of the same minerals, but not in the same amounts. A lime has more calcium and phosphorus, while a lemon has more magnesium and potassium.
References
- USDA National Nutrient Database: Lemons, Raw, without Peel
- USDA National Nutrient Database: Limes, Raw
- USDA National Nutrient Database: Bananas, Raw
- "Nutrition & Metabolism"; Resistance Training in Overweight Women on a Ketogenic Diet Conserved Lean Body Mass while Reducing Body Fat; P.T. Jabekk et al.; March 2010
- Mayo Clinic; Dietary Fiber: Essential For a Healthy Diet; November 2009
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