Bananas are a nutritious tree fruit full of carbohydrates, including natural sugars; potassium; and B-vitamins. Originally native to Southeast Asia, bananas are now grown in the Caribbean and other tropical locations throughout the world. Most of a banana's weight comes from water, and the fruit is relatively low in calories. Caloric values are based on the USDA's National Nutrient Database, which contains a small margin of error for each nutrient.
Total Calories
One large banana weighs about 4.8 oz. and contains 121 total calories, according to the USDA. A large banana provides about 6 percent of the daily caloric requirement for a typical 2,000-calorie diet. Your caloric requirements might be higher or lower, depending on your age, sex, body type and daily activity level. You can calculate your exact caloric needs using an online calorie calculator.
Carbohydrate Calories
Most of the caloric value in a banana comes from carbohydrates, with each large banana containing 31 g of this macronutrient. Carbs contain about 4 calories per gram, so a large banana contains about 124 calories from this nutrient. Carbs should account for 45 to 65 percent of your total caloric intake, amounting to about 900 to 1,300 calories for a 2,000-calorie diet, according to the Institute of Medicine, or IOM.
Protein Calories
A large banana contains 1.48 g of protein. Like carbs, protein contains about 4 calories per 1 g, so a large banana contains about 5.92 calories from this nutrient. Protein should account for 10 to 35 percent of your total caloric intake, amounting to about 200 to 700 calories for a 2,000-calorie diet, according to the IOM.
Fat Calories
A large banana contains just a trace of fat, with 0.45 g per 4.8 oz. serving. Fat contains 9 calories per gram, so a large banana contains about 4 calories from this nutrient. Fat should account for 20 to 35 percent of your total daily caloric intake, amounting to 400 to 700 calories, according to the IOM.
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