Cherry tomatoes are sweeter than other tomatoes, and therefore, are ideal for snacking on.
Some vegetables are particularly high in starch which is converted into calories, but most fruits and vegetables are quite healthy across the board.
Below, I will explain whether cherry tomatoes are healthy.
Cherry tomatoes are very healthy.
They are, particularly in certain vitamins and minerals. They are very low in calories and contain a good amount of fiber.
However, they do contain higher amounts of sugar than other tomatoes, which can be limiting if your regular diet includes a lot of sugar.
Today, I will provide a breakdown of the nutrients in cherry tomatoes, and what the health benefits are of the nutrient that they contain high amounts of.
As well as, whether they are low carb and good for a keto diet.
Cherry Tomatoes Nutrition
Cherry tomatoes contain high amounts of certain nutrients but not so much of others.
These nutrients are good for certain body processes such as healthy gut function.
Below, I will explain
I’ve created a table below that shows what percent of the recommended daily intake (RDI) cherry tomatoes have for some of the main vitamins and minerals.
Unfortunately, data for all of the nutrients and minerals aren’t available.
But, I’ve included 11 of those that there is data for. As well as, the key ones such as calories, carbohydrates, and fiber.
| Nutrient per 3.4 oz (100g) | Cherry tomatoes |
| Calories | 0.71% |
| Carbohydrates | 2.00% |
| Fiber, total dietary | 7.20% |
| Sugars, total including NLEA | 18.96% |
| Calcium, Ca | 1.44% |
| Iron, Fe | 0.01% |
| Sodium, Na | 4.35% |
| Zinc, Zn | 99.09% |
| Copper, Cu | 14.29% |
| Vitamin C | 10.33% |
| Vitamin A | 22.22% |
Nutrients that are particularly high in cherry tomatoes are:
Here’s a short summary of what each nutrient is good for:
| Nutrient | What it’s good for |
| Sugar | Energy levels, and glucose to the brain. Sugar provides an energy boost quite soon after eating it, which also causes a feeling of well-being. |
| Zinc | Important for healing wounds, it is used to help the function of your senses of taste and smell. |
| Copper | Used to make red blood cells, good for bone, blood vessel, and nerve health. And keeps your immune system strong which helps fight off infections, and viruses like the flu. Also helps the body to absorb iron. |
| Vitamin C | Helps keep a strong immune system, and is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, and cancer. |
| Vitamin A | Helps with eye function, the reproduction system in males and females. As well as, keeping the major organs in good health. |
As can be seen from the health benefits of these vitamins and minerals, cherry tomatoes are very good for you.
The main thing to watch out for is not to consume too many of them.
For example, it’s well known that excessive vitamin C has a laxative effect.
This can be good if you’re experiencing diarrhea.
But, it is otherwise quite inconvenient.
There is a difference between raw tomatoes and cooked tomatoes.
I explained the difference in nutrients between cooked tomatoes and raw tomatoes in this article about how many raw tomatoes eat a day.
Drawbacks of eating cherry tomatoes
Since there are a lot of benefits to eating cherry tomatoes, it’s possible there could be some negative aspects to eating cherry tomatoes as well.
However, there are no drawbacks to eating cherry tomatoes.
Most people wouldn’t consume more than about half a cup to a cup of cherry tomatoes.
However, one-half cup of cherry tomatoes does contain 99.09% of zinc.
Therefore, if you consume more than half a cup you will get more than the recommended daily intake of zinc.
This isn’t an issue from time to time.
However, if you do so regularly it can lead to negative health effects according to the National Institutes of Health.
So, you should aim not to consume more than half a cup of cherry tomatoes a day if you eat them consistently, such as every day or every other day.
The other nutrients in cherry tomatoes aren’t in high enough amounts that it will cause negative effects provided you eat less than 2 cups.
The reason is that cherry tomatoes contain at the most 20% of the RDI of other nutrients. 20% per half-cup means, if you consume 2 cups you will reach about 80% of the RDI of certain nutrients.
When you combine that with the nutrients found in other foods you eat during the day it will be around 100%.
Therefore, 2 cups a day at the most is a good rule of thumb. But, it can vary depending on what nutrients are in the other foods you consume.
For example, citrus fruits have a relatively high amount of vitamin C.
So, if you eat an orange or two, and eat 2 cups of cherry tomatoes it’s likely you’ll consume more than the RDI of vitamin C.
In the case of vitamin C, specifically, consuming more than the RDI gives most people diarrhea.
Are Cherry Tomatoes Low Carb?
A low-carb diet is generally considered to be good for losing fat. Which is helpful for weight loss.
Other people find that a low carb diet makes them feel better, so are cherry tomatoes low carb?
Cherry tomatoes are low carb, they contain on average 5g of carbs per half a cup.
Which is an average-sized serving.
Half a cup (3.5 oz or 100g) of cherry tomatoes contains 5% to 7% of the recommended daily intake of a low-carb diet.
There is no formal definition of a low-carb diet.
But, it’s generally considered to be between 100g to 150g a day.
Interestingly, most fruits and vegetables are low carb except for starchy vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and rice.
Which are very carbohydrate-dense, and also quite high in starch.
Many people soak potatoes and rice to remove the starch. Giving them a lighter flavor.
Are Cherry Tomatoes Keto?
A keto diet is often lumped in with a paleo diet.
It is high in fat, and low in carbs.
Cherry tomatoes have no fat in them at all, but here’s whether they are good for a ketogenic diet.
Cherry tomatoes are keto.
They are low in carbs, which makes them a good fit for a keto diet.
Cherry tomatoes contain 5g of carbs per half-cup, which is equivalent to 5% to 7% of the recommended carbs to maintain ketosis.
Therefore, if you’re following a keto diet, cherry tomatoes are a great thing to include in your meal plan.
They are also high in many beneficial vitamins and minerals.
The same is true for other types of tomatoes, such as full-sized tomatoes, and grape tomatoes such as Roma tomatoes.
Which all contain roughly 5g of carb per half a cup.
I’m Chris Watson & the Founder of EatForLonger.com. I’m a food and wellbeing enthusiast researching and sharing foodstuffs and simple food-based concepts, such as fasting and clean eating.
I hope it inspires you to make tiny changes to what you eat and when you eat while optimizing your healthspan and all-around well-being.
Read more About Me here.