Newbie questions: Does the Skin of a Banana count?

skedzinger
skedzinger Posts: 2
in Food and Nutrition
I wonder how to read the data in the database.

e.g.: Banana 126g = 110kcal

Is that the banana with skin - or is the rule only the part that gets really eaten will be in the measure.

a) 126g of banana without skin = 110kcal

or

b) 126g of banana incl. skin = 110kcal


Is there even a rule or does it vary, so I'd better just assume the more conservative measure ( b) )?

Replies

  • snazzyjazzy21
    snazzyjazzy21 Posts: 1,298 Member
    I log the weight without, since I assume the USDA info I use is based on the edible parts only.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    Only the edible parts count. Bananas are easy in that respect, as most people wouldn't eat the skin of the banana - but what is considered edible varies from individual to individual; some people eat the whole apple including the core, some remove the skin from chicken and fat from meat, and so on. That can skew the numbers a bit, as the different parts of the foods have different calorie density. Yes, I'm nerding a bit, I know. :tongue:
  • psych101
    psych101 Posts: 1,842 Member
    Just the edible parts I believe

    Serious question - can you eat the skin?? Off to google I go...
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    Just the edible bits. I've started removing the whole peel, weighing, and eating without, though it's sad to lose the benefits of the peel for holding it. Also, there's an entry for apple with skin, so I assume skin means peel and there's probably one without. I just weigh whatever bits of a fruit I'm eating, so apple without the core, peach without the pit, etc.
  • nltg13
    nltg13 Posts: 24 Member
    Just the edible bits. I've started removing the whole peel, weighing, and eating without, though it's sad to lose the benefits of the peel for holding it. Also, there's an entry for apple with skin, so I assume skin means peel and there's probably one without. I just weigh whatever bits of a fruit I'm eating, so apple without the core, peach without the pit, etc.

    Yeah, skin means peel.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    Also, there's an entry for apple with skin, so I assume skin means peel and there's probably one without.
    Yes there is, and it looks illogical:
    Apples - Raw, with skin, 100 g 52 calories
    Apples - Raw, without skin, 100 g 48 calories
    But that's what happens when you insist on counting fiber as an energy providing carb.
  • skedzinger
    skedzinger Posts: 2
    Clear, thanks guys!

    I think i am going to keep counting it the more conservative way till i reach my weightgoal - make up a little for eventual miscalculations in the more harming direction.

    After that i'll go for more accuracy.
  • Sreneesa
    Sreneesa Posts: 1,170 Member
    Just weigh it. I find most of the times the banana is less than 126 grams...at least the Chiquita bananas I get. I rarely get large ones. But weighing the banana is the most accurate way of knowing the true weight and calories....and without skin.
  • allaboutthecake
    allaboutthecake Posts: 1,535 Member
    There is a listing for Banana by Ounce, No Peel
  • allaboutthecake
    allaboutthecake Posts: 1,535 Member
    Crap. All this banana talk. Now I want one. And not one in the house! :grumble:
  • sm1zzle
    sm1zzle Posts: 920 Member
    Just curious.... do people actually eat the peel ?
  • dunnodunno
    dunnodunno Posts: 2,290 Member
    Just the edible bits. I've started removing the whole peel, weighing, and eating without, though it's sad to lose the benefits of the peel for holding it.

    Why don't you weigh the banana whole, eat the parts you want, and then weigh the leftover peel? Record the difference, which is what you ate. That way you can still use the peel as a holder.

    Or just weigh it without the peel.

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