Tomatoes, red, ripe, canned, packed in tomato juice
Whole food · Vegetables and Vegetable Products
Photo: Wikipedia
These are whole or diced tomatoes preserved at peak ripeness in their own juice, offering a sweet, tangy flavor and a soft, yielding texture. They are a pantry staple that delivers a concentrated dose of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, for just 16 calories per 100 grams. Their low fat and high fiber content make them a nutritionally dense base for countless meals.
💚 Why it's loved
People love them for their consistent, sweet-tart flavor and the sheer convenience of having ripe tomato taste available anytime. They form the essential backbone of sauces, stews, and soups across many global cuisines.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Some brands can be high in sodium, which is a concern for blood pressure management. To counteract this, choose 'no salt added' versions or rinse the tomatoes before use. The natural sugars, while healthy, can contribute to blood sugar spikes in large quantities; pairing with protein or fat (like beans or olive oil) helps moderate this.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of lycopene, linked to heart and skin health.
- Very low in calories and fat, ideal for weight management.
- Provides dietary fiber to support digestive regularity.
- Convenient year-round source of tomato flavor and nutrients.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The canning process actually increases the bioavailability of lycopene, making it easier for your body to absorb compared to some fresh tomatoes.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 94.8 g |
| Energy | 16.0 kcal |
| Energy | 69.0 kj |
| Protein | 0.79 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.25 g |
| Ash | 0.74 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 3.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.9 g |
| Total Sugars | 2.5 g |
| Sucrose | 0.00 g |
| Glucose | 1.2 g |
| Fructose | 1.3 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 33.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.57 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 10.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 17.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 191 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 115 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.12 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.05 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.07 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.70 ug |
| Fluoride, F | 5.1 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 12.6 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.57 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.06 mg |
| Niacin | 0.71 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.12 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.11 mg |
| Folate, total | 8.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 8.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 8.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 6.4 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 20.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 245 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 408 iu |
| Lycopene | 2537 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 78.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.59 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.01 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.06 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 2.6 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.03 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 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.10 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.10 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 |
| Tryptophan | 0.01 g |
| Threonine | 0.04 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.02 g |
| Leucine | 0.03 g |
| Lysine | 0.03 g |
| Methionine | 0.01 g |
| Cystine | 0.01 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.03 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.02 g |
| Valine | 0.02 g |
| Arginine | 0.02 g |
| Histidine | 0.01 g |
| Alanine | 0.03 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.15 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.45 g |
| Glycine | 0.02 g |
| Proline | 0.01 g |
| Serine | 0.02 g |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
What's the difference between canned tomatoes in juice vs. puree or sauce?
Tomatoes packed in juice are whole or diced pieces in a thin liquid, giving you more texture. Puree is a smooth, thick liquid with no seeds or skin, while sauce is a seasoned, cooked-down puree.
Are canned tomatoes as nutritious as fresh?
Yes, and sometimes more so. Canning at peak ripeness locks in nutrients like lycopene, and the heat process makes this antioxidant more absorbable. Fresh tomatoes are often picked green and ripen in transit.
How should I store leftover canned tomatoes?
Transfer any unused tomatoes to a non-reactive container (like glass or plastic), cover, and refrigerate. Use within 3-5 days for best quality and safety.