Lychees are a tropical favorite, prized for their fragrant, juicy flesh and naturally sweet flavor. But if you're tracking calories, you might wonder how much energy is in a single slice or a handful of these small fruits. This calculator gives you a quick, accurate estimate of the calories in lychee slices based on the weight you plan to eat.
Simply enter the number of slices or the total weight in grams, and the tool will convert it into calories using standard USDA nutrition data. You can also adjust for the edible portion, since the skin and seed make up a significant part of the whole fruit. Whether you're meal prepping, counting macros, or just curious, this tool helps you keep your lychee snacking on track.
Use the quick-fill buttons for common serving sizes, or input your own values for a custom calculation. The result includes a breakdown of calories from carbohydrates, protein, and fat, so you can see exactly where the energy comes from.
🍈 Lychee Calories Per Slice
Default is 80% (typical edible part of whole fruit).
How to Use This Tool
Start by entering the amount of lychee you plan to eat. You can specify the quantity in slices, grams, or whole fruits. If you choose slices, the calculator assumes an average slice weight of about 8.5 grams. For whole fruits, it uses an average edible weight of 10 grams per fruit (after removing skin and seed).
Next, you can adjust the edible portion percentage. This is the proportion of the fruit that is actually eaten. For lychees, the skin and seed account for roughly 20% of the total weight, so the default is 80%. If you're eating pre-peeled slices, you can set this to 100% because the weight you enter is already pure flesh.
Click the Calculate button to see your total calories and a breakdown of calories from carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Use the Reset button to clear all inputs and start over.
How It Works
The calculator uses standard USDA nutrition data for raw lychees. Per 100 grams of edible flesh, lychees contain approximately:
- 66 calories
- 16.5 grams of carbohydrates
- 0.83 grams of protein
- 0.44 grams of fat
To calculate calories, the tool first converts your input into grams of edible lychee. For slices, it multiplies the number of slices by the average slice weight. For whole fruits, it multiplies by the average edible weight per fruit. Then it applies the edible portion percentage if needed.
Once the edible weight is known, the calories are computed using the per-100g values. The breakdown uses the standard Atwater factors: 4 kcal per gram of carbohydrate, 4 kcal per gram of protein, and 9 kcal per gram of fat. Note that the sum of these three may not exactly equal the total calories due to rounding and the presence of other components like water and fiber.
Worked Examples
Example 1: You eat 10 slices of lychee. With an average slice weight of 8.5 g, that's 85 g of flesh. Using the default 80% edible portion, the edible weight is 68 g. Total calories = (68/100) × 66 = 44.9 kcal. Carbs contribute about 44.9 × 0.165 × 4 = 29.6 kcal, protein about 2.3 kcal, and fat about 2.7 kcal.
Example 2: You have 150 g of pre-peeled lychee slices. Set the edible portion to 100%. Total calories = (150/100) × 66 = 99 kcal. This is a more accurate estimate because you're measuring the actual flesh you eat.
Example 3: You eat 5 whole lychees. Each fruit has about 10 g of edible flesh, so total edible weight = 50 g. Calories = (50/100) × 66 = 33 kcal. This is a light snack that fits easily into most calorie budgets.
Tips & Best Practices
- For the most accurate results, weigh your lychee flesh on a kitchen scale and enter the weight in grams. This eliminates guesswork about slice size.
- If you're using canned lychees, check the label — they often contain added sugar syrup, which increases calories significantly. The calculator assumes fresh, raw lychee.
- Lychees are naturally high in sugar, so portion control is key if you're watching your carbohydrate intake. A typical serving is about 10 fruits.
- Remember that the edible portion percentage can vary. Some fruits have thicker skins or larger seeds, so adjust the percentage if you notice a difference.
Factors Affecting Accuracy
The calorie values are based on average USDA data, but actual numbers can vary depending on the variety, ripeness, and growing conditions. Lychee varieties like the 'Mauritius' or 'Brewster' may have slightly different sugar content. Also, the average slice weight is an estimate — your slices might be thicker or thinner. For precise tracking, always weigh your food.
Another factor is the edible portion. The 80% default is a reasonable average, but some lychees have a higher flesh-to-seed ratio. If you're eating a variety with small seeds, the edible portion could be closer to 85-90%. Adjusting this in the calculator will give you a more personalized estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are lychees high in calories? No, lychees are relatively low in calories. A 100-gram serving (about 10 fruits) provides only about 66 calories, making them a light, refreshing snack.
Can I use this calculator for dried lychee? No, dried lychee has a much higher calorie density because water is removed. Dried lychee can have over 300 calories per 100 grams. This tool is only for fresh lychee.
How many calories are in a single lychee slice? On average, one slice (about 8.5 g) contains roughly 5.6 calories. This can vary slightly based on the fruit's sugar content.
Is lychee good for weight loss? Lychees are low in calories and fat, but they are high in natural sugars. They can be part of a weight-loss diet if eaten in moderation and balanced with other foods.
Where can I find more detailed nutrition data? The USDA FoodData Central database provides comprehensive nutrition information for lychees and thousands of other foods. You can access it at fdc.nal.usda.gov.