Lime juice is a common ingredient used to add flavor to many dishes and beverages. It comes from squeezing fresh limes to extract the tart, citrusy juice inside. But when counting calories, many people wonder – does fresh squeezed lime juice have calories?
The Short Answer
Yes, fresh squeezed lime juice does contain calories, but not many. There are approximately 20 calories in 1 fluid ounce (30ml) of fresh squeezed lime juice. So a typical serving of 1-2 tablespoons contains 5-10 calories.
The calories come from natural sugars and carbohydrates found in the lime juice. Limes contain simple sugars like glucose, fructose, and sucrose. They also contain fiber and other carbohydrates which contribute to the calorie content.
However, lime juice is still considered a low calorie food, especially when used as an ingredient or condiment. The small amount of calories can generally be neglected when squeezing a lime over a salad, adding a splash to a glass of water, or mixing into a margarita.
Nutrition Facts for Lime Juice
Here are the nutrition facts for 100g of raw lime juice:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 25 |
| Total Fat | 0.1g |
| Sodium | 1mg |
| Potassium | 120mg |
| Total Carbs | 7.7g |
| Sugar | 1.7g |
| Protein | 0.5g |
As you can see, lime juice is very low in fat, sodium, and protein. The calories come mainly from the 7.7g total carbohydrates, which includes 1.7g of natural sugar.
So every 1 fluid ounce (30ml) of lime juice contains approximately:
- 20 calories
- 0.5g carbs
- 0.1g sugar
This means that a typical serving of 1-2 tablespoons (15-30ml) would provide:
- 5-10 calories
- 1-2g carbs
- 0.2-0.4g sugar
As you can see, fresh squeezed lime juice is very low in calories and carbs compared to other juices.
Calories in Lime Juice vs. Lemon Juice
Limes and lemons contain similar nutrients and have comparable calorie contents.
Here is a comparison of the calories and nutrients in equal amounts of lime juice vs. lemon juice:
| Nutrient | Lime Juice (30ml) | Lemon Juice (30ml) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 20 | 18 |
| Total Carbs | 7.7g | 6g |
| Sugar | 1.7g | 2.4g |
| Protein | 0.5g | 0.6g |
Both juices are very low in calories and carbs. Lime juice contains slightly more calories and carbohydrates due to a bit more natural sugar content. But the differences are minor.
So if you’re counting calories, you can consider lemon juice and lime juice to be virtually identical. Use them interchangeably without worrying about changing the nutrition content of your recipes.
Calories in Bottled or Store-Bought Lime Juice
What if instead of fresh squeezed, you use commercially bottled lime juice? Is there any difference in calories?
Bottled lime juice typically contains very similar nutrition facts compared to fresh squeezed juice:
- 20 calories per 1 fluid ounce
- 7-8g carbs per 100ml
- 1-2g sugar per 100ml
The main difference is that bottled lime juice is usually pasteurized or processed in some way to allow it to be shelf stable. This can slightly change the flavor and intensity, but does not affect calorie content.
Some bottled lime juices also contain natural flavorings or preservatives like sodium metabisulfite or citric acid. Be sure to read the ingredient list if you are sensitive or allergic to any added ingredients. But they will not add any calories.
Overall, the calories in fresh squeezed lime juice or bottled lime juice are almost identical. Both can be used in recipes interchangeably without worrying about extra calories.
Does Lime Juice Have Calories When Used for Flavor?
What if you simply add some lime juice to your food for flavor? For example squeezing it over:
- Fish or chicken
- Salads or vegetables
- Sauces and marinades
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Margaritas and cocktails
In these cases, the tiny amount of lime juice used does not contribute any real calories or carbs.
For example, if you squeeze a wedge of lime over your taco salad, you may use ~1 teaspoon (5ml) of juice. This contains:
- 1 calorie
- 0.4g carbs
- 0.1g sugar
This negligible amount can generally be ignored from a calorie counting perspective. The same goes for adding a splash of lime to your glass of water or mixing a cocktail.
The calories and carbs only become relevant if you are consuming lime juice in larger quantities. Such as drinking several ounces of concentrated juice or making a sauce with multiple limes.
But otherwise, don’t hesitate to use fresh lime juice to add flavor. The small amount of juice won’t make a difference calorie-wise.
Does Cooking Affect the Calories?
What happens if you cook with lime juice instead of using it raw? Does heating or cooking affect the calorie content?
The answer is no. Cooking does not significantly change the calories or nutrients in lime juice.
Limes are composed mainly of water, natural acids like citric acid, antioxidants, and small amounts of carbohydrates and sugars. These components are very stable and unaffected by typical cooking temperatures.
For example, adding lime juice to a chicken marinade or vegetable stir fry will not change the nutrition facts. The calories and carbs will remain the same after cooking.
The only potential effect is that some of the vitamin C content degrades when exposed to heat and air. But the calories remain stable whether the lime juice is raw or cooked.
Does Lime Juice Have Calories in Smoothies?
Adding a splash of lime juice is a great way to naturally flavor smoothies. But are there any calories from the lime?
Again, the tiny amount of lime juice used for flavor does not contribute meaningful calories or carbs to smoothies.
For example, if you add 1 tablespoon (15ml) of lime juice to a 24oz smoothie, it provides:
- 5 calories
- 1g carbs
- 0.2g sugar
This is negligible compared to the other ingredients like fruit, milk, yogurt, protein powder, etc. The lime juice gives flavor without adding calories.
However, if you use larger amounts of lime juice as one of the primary ingredients, it will start contributing more calories and carbs to the smoothie.
For example, a smoothie with 1/4 cup (60ml) lime juice would add about 50 calories and 15g carbs. So be mindful of portion size if using it as a main ingredient. Otherwise, flavor away!
Does Lime Juice Break a Fast?
What about when fasting? If you are following an intermittent fasting diet plan, does adding lime juice to your water break your fast?
Generally, a splash of lime juice in your water is fine and will not break your fast. Especially if you squeeze it directly into your water.
Most experts agree that very low calorie beverages like tea, coffee, calorie-free flavored sparkling waters, and plain water with lemon/lime are ok when fasting. Just avoid adding real juice or sweeteners like sugar, honey or syrups.
So go ahead and flavor your water with a squeeze of lime if you need some variety. But limit it to a splash rather than drinking large amounts of concentrated lime juice, which may technically break your fast.
Should You Count Lime Juice Calories When Dieting?
What about when counting calories for weight loss? Should you worry about the calories in lime juice?
Generally, the tiny amount of calories and carbs from using lime juice as a flavoring or condiment can be ignored when dieting. The calories are negligible compared to other foods and ingredients you’ll be eating.
For example, if your diet is 2,000 calories per day, the couple calories from squeezing a lime wedge into your meals or drinks is insignificant.
However, if you are juicing multiple limes and drinking large quantities of concentrated juice, that’s a different story. In that case, you may want to count the calories and carbs as part of your daily intake – especially on very low calorie diets.
But for flavoring foods? Don’t bother counting those minuscule lime juice calories. Focus on the big picture when dieting.
Low Calorie Uses of Lime Juice
Here are some of the best low-calorie ways to use fresh lime juice:
- Squeeze over fish or chicken – 1 tsp juice per serving
- Mix into marinades and dressings – 1 Tbsp juice per 2-4 servings
- Use in salsa or guacamole – juice of 1/2 lime per cup
- Splash into soups and stir fries – 1 tsp per serving
- Add to smoothies – 1 Tbsp juice per large 24oz smoothie
- Squeeze into water for flavor – juice of 1/4 lime per 8oz glass
- Mix into cocktails like margaritas – juice of 1 lime per 2-3 drinks
Enjoy these low-calorie ways to add lime juice for a burst of flavor. The small amounts used won’t affect your calorie intake.
High Calorie Ways to Use Lime Juice
Here are some higher calorie ways that will cause the calories in lime juice to start adding up:
- Drinking concentrated lime juice as is
- Using it as the primary ingredient in large batches of sauce
- Making lime juice dressing with oil and sugar
- Baking it into treats like tarts, cookies and desserts
- Candying peeled limes
- Using it as the main liquid when making large volumes of margaritas
In these cases, be sure to account for the extra calories from the lime juice in your recipes. The lime will change from a “free” flavoring to a primary calorie source.
Tips for Getting the Most Juice from Limes
Here are some tips for maximize lime juice yield whenever you squeeze them:
- Roll the lime firmly on the countertop before cutting – this helps break down some of the pulp and release more juice.
- Microwave for 10-15 seconds – heating briefly helps soften the lime and loosen the juice.
- Cut in half horizontally through the center – this exposes more juice vesicles than cutting vertically.
- Squeeze with a juicer or reamer – use a tool with ridges and small holes to extract more juice.
- Add a splash of water – swish the lime halves in water to rinse out extra juice.
- Strain out pulp – filtering allows you to collect any extra liquid.
Using these tricks can help you maximize the amount of juice from each lime. So you’ll get the most bang for your buck!
Conclusion
Fresh lime juice does contain calories and carbs due to its natural sugars. But it is still considered a low calorie food.
A typical serving of lime juice contains just 5-10 calories. This negligible amount can generally be ignored when squeezing on foods or adding a splash to drinks.
The calories only become relevant if drinking large quantities of concentrated lime juice or using it as a primary ingredient. But as a flavoring and condiment, feel free to squeeze away without worrying about calories!
