Calories by Apple Size: Small, Medium, and Large Apple Guide

Oh, my darling ones! Come gather ‘round while Grandma tells you all about choosing the perfect apple size for your needs. You know, in my many years of baking pies and packing lunch boxes for three generations of our family, I’ve learned quite a bit about these wonderful fruits of all sizes!

Let me share with you my simple guide to apple sizes, just like I’m teaching you to measure ingredients for my famous apple crisp. You see, apples are like my grandchildren – they come in all different sizes, and each one is perfect in its own way!

Let’s start with what I call my “apple family”:

The Little Ones (Small Apples):

• About the size of a golf ball and then some
• Weigh about 4 ounces (like my smallest measuring cup)
• Give you about 55-60 calories of goodness
• Perfect for little ones’ lunchboxes!
• About 7.8 inches around (like my smallest rolling pin)

The Just-Rights (Medium Apples):

• The size of a tennis ball
• Weigh about 6.4 ounces
• Provide 95-100 calories
• My personal favorite for everyday snacking
• About 9.4 inches around

The Big Beauties (Large Apples):

• Think baseball-sized
• Weigh about 8 ounces
• Give you 115-120 calories
• Perfect for sharing with a friend
• About 10.2 inches around

The Grand Champions (Extra Large):

• Softball-sized or bigger
• Weigh 10 ounces or more
• Contain 140-150 calories
• Great for making baked apples
• Over 11 inches around

Now, let me tell you a little secret about apple skin – it’s like a protective sweater full of good-for-you nutrients! In a medium apple, the skin gives you about 13-15 calories, while the sweet flesh inside provides about 82-85 calories. Always eat the skin when you can, my dears – that’s where much of the goodness hides!

Different varieties have their own personality when it comes to calories. Let me share what I’ve learned over the years:

Sweet Varieties (like my grandson Tommy’s personality!):

• Fuji apples run a bit higher in calories:

  • Small ones: 63 calories
  • Medium ones: 105 calories
  • Large ones: 128 calories

• Honeycrisp (my personal favorite):

  • Small: 57 calories
  • Medium: 95 calories
  • Large: 116 calories

Tart Varieties (like my granddaughter Sarah’s wit!):

• Granny Smith (named after a grandmother, you know!):

  • Small: 52 calories
  • Medium: 92 calories
  • Large: 110 calories

• Pink Lady:

  • Small: 55 calories
  • Medium: 93 calories
  • Large: 114 calories

Now, if you’re watching your portions (though you’re all perfect just as you are!), let Grandma teach you some easy ways to measure your apples:

• A small apple is about the size of a light bulb
• A medium one fits perfectly in your palm (like when you’re catching fireflies!)
• A large one is about the size of your morning coffee cup
• And those extra large ones? About the size of a grapefruit!

For my family members who like to count everything (like my detail-oriented son-in-law):

• Small apples give you about 14-15g of carbohydrates
• Medium ones provide about 25g
• Large ones contain about 30-31g

When you’re cutting them up (like we do for the little ones):

• Small apples give you about 8 nice slices
• Medium ones make about 12 slices
• Large ones can give you 16 beautiful slices

Let me share some of Grandma’s wisdom about choosing the right size:

• For weight loss: Stick to small or medium apples
• For active days: A large apple gives you good energy
• For little ones: Small apples fit perfectly in their hands
• For baking: Those extra large ones make wonderful baked apples!

Storing your apples properly is important too (just like storing memories in your heart):

• Keep them cool and crisp in the refrigerator
• Check them regularly, like visiting old friends
• Remember they might shrink a tiny bit over time (don’t we all, my dears!)

Some questions my family often asks:

Does size affect how good the apple is for you? Well, my loves, it’s like comparing my hugs - they’re all equally full of love, just different sizes! The nutrients are similar, just in different amounts.

What’s the best size for different needs?

• For little ones: Small apples are perfect
• For lunchboxes: Medium ones travel well
• For sharing: Large ones are just right
• For baking: Extra large ones make the best treats

Remember, my darlings, that apples are like people - they come in all sizes, and each one is special in its own way. Whether you choose a tiny apple for your little one’s lunchbox or a big beauty for making my famous baked apples, they’re all perfectly wonderful!

With all my love and apple wisdom, Grandma

P.S. Don’t forget to wash your apples before eating, no matter what size they are - just like I always remind you to wash behind your ears!