Banana vs Lemon

Side-by-side macro comparison. Banana vs Lemon per their standard serving sizes.

Banana

per 1 medium (118g)

105 cal
1.3g Protein
27g Carbs
0.4g Fat
Full Banana macros →
vs

Lemon

per 1 medium (58g)

17 cal
0.6g Protein
5.4g Carbs
0.2g Fat
Full Lemon macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Banana Lemon Difference
Calories 105 cal 17 cal +518% Banana
Protein 1.3g 0.6g +117% Banana
Carbs 27g 5.4g +400% Banana
Fat 0.4g 0.2g +100% Banana

Differences shown relative to Banana. Positive = Banana has more.

Quick Take

Banana delivers 105 calories per serving with 1.3g protein, 27g carbs, and 0.4g fat. Lemon delivers 17 calories with 0.6g protein, 5.4g carbs, and 0.2g fat. The most meaningful difference: Lemon saves 88 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. Both deliver similar protein density.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Lemon gives you 88 more calories of headroom per serving — that's room for an extra snack, more vegetables, or a higher-protein second portion. If protein density matters more (which it does for preserving muscle on a deficit), Lemon delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Banana brings 105 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Banana delivers 1.3g of protein per serving, which directly feeds muscle protein synthesis. The best pick depends on whether you need more total calories or more usable protein.

For Keto / Low-Carb

Lemon fits cleanly into keto with only 5.4g carbs. Banana at 27g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Banana or Lemon?

Banana has more protein: 1.3g vs 0.6g per serving. That's a difference of 0.7000000000000001g.

Which has fewer calories, Banana or Lemon?

Lemon has 17 calories per serving vs 105 calories in Banana — a difference of 88 calories.

Is Banana or Lemon better for keto?

Lemon is the better keto choice at 5.4g carbs per serving vs 27g carbs in Banana.

Is Banana or Lemon better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Lemon gives you more calorie flexibility (88 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Lemon delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Lemon.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Lemon

Higher protein-to-calorie density + lower absolute fat = more satiety per calorie.

💪 Muscle Gain

Banana

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Lemon

Lower carbohydrate content fits keto and low-carb macros without burning your carb budget.

Both fit most balanced diets. These verdicts reflect macro-only comparisons — taste, satiety, cost, and personal preference also matter.

Find Your Personal Macros

The "right" food depends on your individual macro targets. Calculate yours in 60 seconds:

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Full Banana guideFull Lemon guideAll comparisons