Whole food · Fruits and Fruit Juices
Photo: Wikipedia
These are tender, golden pear halves or slices preserved in their own sweet juice, offering a delicate, floral sweetness and a soft, yielding texture. They are a low-fat, low-calorie pantry staple, with the juice pack style providing a lighter alternative to heavy syrup. The fiber content, while modest, contributes to their satisfying mouthfeel and nutritional profile.
Calorie split: 3% protein · 96% carbs · 1% fat
↓ Full nutritionPeople love them for their consistent, gentle sweetness and comforting, soft texture that requires no chewing effort. They are a versatile ingredient, instantly elevating yogurt, oatmeal, or a simple dessert with a touch of fruity elegance.
The natural sugars, concentrated in the juice, can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes if consumed alone in large quantities. To counteract this, pair them with a source of protein or healthy fat like Greek yogurt, nuts, or cottage cheese to slow sugar absorption. Those monitoring sodium intake should check labels, as some brands add a trace amount.
The process of canning fruit was perfected in the early 19th century to feed Napoleon's armies, making canned pears a direct descendant of military logistics innovation.
| Water | 86.5 g |
| Energy | 50.0 kcal |
| Energy | 209 kj |
| Protein | 0.34 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.07 g |
| Ash | 0.19 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 12.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.6 g |
| Total Sugars | 9.7 g |
| Sucrose | 0.60 g |
| Glucose | 3.3 g |
| Fructose | 5.8 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 9.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.29 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 7.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 12.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 96.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 4.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.09 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.05 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.03 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.6 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.01 mg |
| Niacin | 0.20 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.02 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.01 mg |
| Folate, total | 1.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 1.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 1.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 3.4 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 3.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 6.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 34.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.08 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.30 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
| Threonine | 0.01 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.01 g |
| Leucine | 0.02 g |
| Lysine | 0.01 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.01 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.01 g |
| Arginine | 0.01 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.01 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.07 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.03 g |
| Glycine | 0.01 g |
| Proline | 0.01 g |
| Serine | 0.01 g |
Are canned pears as nutritious as fresh?
Canning can reduce some heat-sensitive nutrients like vitamin C, but the fiber and most minerals remain. The juice pack retains more nutrients than heavy syrup. They are a nutritious, convenient alternative, especially when fresh pears are out of season.
What is the difference between 'juice pack' and 'heavy syrup'?
Juice pack pears are canned in pear or apple juice, resulting in less added sugar and fewer calories. Heavy syrup is a dense sugar-water solution, making the fruit much sweeter and higher in calories and simple sugars.
How should I store leftover canned pears?
After opening, transfer any unused pears and their juice to a clean, airtight container and refrigerate. They will keep well for 3 to 5 days.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.04 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.