Plantain vs Banana: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Plantains have 122 calories and 1.3 g of protein, while bananas have 89 calories and 1.1 g of protein. Plantains are higher in calories and protein.

Plantains and bananas are both popular fruits, but they have distinct nutritional profiles. Understanding their differences can help in making informed dietary choices.

What Is the Difference Between Plantain and Banana?

Plantain is a starchy fruit that is often cooked before consumption. It is commonly used in savory dishes and is a staple in many tropical regions. Banana is a sweet fruit that can be eaten raw or used in various recipes. It is known for its soft texture and is a popular snack worldwide.

Plantain vs Banana: Nutrition Side by Side

The following comparison highlights the nutritional differences between plantains and bananas per 100 g.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Plantain (raw)	Banana (raw)
Calories	122 kcal	89 kcal
Protein	1.3 g	1.1 g
Carbs	31.9 g	22.8 g
Sugar	15 g	12.2 g
Fat	0.4 g	0.3 g
Fiber	2.3 g	2.6 g
Sodium	4 mg	1 mg

Which Is Better, Plantain or Banana?

For weight loss: Bananas have fewer calories at 89 compared to plantains at 122. This makes bananas a better choice for those focused on calorie reduction.

For muscle and protein: Plantains contain 1.3 g of protein, slightly higher than bananas at 1.1 g. This makes plantains a marginally better option for protein intake.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Plantains have 31.9 g of carbs and 15 g of sugar, while bananas have 22.8 g of carbs and 12.2 g of sugar. Bananas are lower in both categories.

How to Track Plantain and Banana Accurately

Portion sizes and macronutrient content can often be misjudged, affecting dietary choices. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a health professional for personalized dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Plantains have 1.3 g of protein, while bananas have 1.1 g of protein. Therefore, plantains have more protein.

Which has fewer calories?

Bananas contain 89 calories, whereas plantains contain 122 calories. Thus, bananas have fewer calories.

What are the carb contents?

Plantains have 31.9 g of carbs, while bananas have 22.8 g of carbs. Bananas have lower carbohydrate content.

What is the sugar content in each?

Plantains contain 15 g of sugar, while bananas contain 12.2 g of sugar. Bananas have less sugar.

What is the fat content in both?

Plantains have 0.4 g of fat, and bananas have 0.3 g of fat. Plantains have slightly more fat.

How much fiber do they contain?

Plantains have 2.3 g of fiber, while bananas have 2.6 g of fiber. Bananas have more fiber.

Key Takeaways

• Plantains have 122 calories per 100 g.
• Bananas have 89 calories per 100 g.
• Plantains contain 1.3 g of protein.
• Bananas contain 1.1 g of protein.
• Plantains have 31.9 g of carbs.
• Bananas have 22.8 g of carbs.