Fruits & juices

Pears, raw

FDC 169118NLEA serving (166 g)

Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

Density 37 · -44 vs Fruits & juices median

Raw pears score 37 of 100, a Low band that ranks 48th of 60 in Fruits & juices, well under the category median of 81. The one clear standout is dietary fiber at 11% DV per serving, with the rest of the profile fairly light.

Eaten out of hand or sliced into salads and oatmeal, a typical NLEA serving is about 166 g, roughly one medium pear. At 57 calories and 9.75 g of sugar per 100 g it's a modest, low-sodium snack, though its density score trails well behind other fruit; bananas rank meaningfully higher in the same category.

See how this score is calculated, build a plate around pears, raw, or compare it with another food.

Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain

Fig. 1 · Macronutrient composition
Protein 0.4 g · 2%Carb 15.2 g · 96%Fat 0.1 g · 2%

Percent of calories derived by NutriVerdict from USDA grams

Nutrition facts

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories57 kcal3%
Total fat0.14 g0%
Saturated fat0.02 g0%
Cholesterol0 mg0%
Sodium1 mg0%
Carbohydrate15 g6%
Dietary fiber3.1 g11%
Sugars9.8 g
Protein0.36 g1%
Potassium116 mg2%
Calcium9 mg1%
Iron0.18 mg1%
Magnesium7 mg2%
Vitamin C4.3 mg5%
Vitamin A1 µg0%
Vitamin E0.12 mg1%

Source: USDA FoodData Central · Public domain

FDC 169118

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

What it is rich in

Nutrients supplying at least 10% of the Daily Value per 100 grams. 20% or more is an excellent source.

Dietary fiber11% DV

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

Versus the fruits & juices median

Nutrient density37 vs 81 median
Protein / 100 g0.4 vs 0.8 median
Fiber / 100 g3.1 vs 2 median
Sodium / 100 g1 vs 3 median

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

More nutrient-dense swaps

Foods in the same category that score higher on nutrient density.

Jackfruit, rawDensity 38 vs 37Bananas, rawDensity 45 vs 37Plums, rawDensity 45 vs 37

Original analysis by NutriVerdict

In the kitchen and how to use it

Pears are eaten fresh out of hand as a simple snack, sliced into green salads with walnuts or blue cheese, poached whole in wine or a light syrup for an elegant dessert, baked into tarts and crisps, or paired on a cheese board with a sharp or blue cheese and a handful of nuts. Their texture ranges from crisp and slightly grainy when just ripe to soft, juicy, and almost buttery once fully ripened, with a mild, floral sweetness throughout that pairs well with warm spices like cinnamon and clove in a baked crumble.

Choose pears that give slightly to gentle pressure near the stem, since most are picked underripe at the store and finish ripening at room temperature, ideally in a paper bag to trap the ethylene gas that speeds things along; once ripe, refrigerate the fruit to slow further softening for a few extra days. At 57 calories and just 1mg sodium per 100g, a whole NLEA serving (166g) is a low-calorie way to add volume and natural sweetness to a meal, snack, or lunchbox without added sugar. The 3.1g fiber per 100g (11% DV) sits largely in the skin, so eating the pear unpeeled keeps more of that fiber intact than a peeled slice would.

Frequently asked questions about pears, raw

How many calories are in a pear?

A pear has 57 calories per 100g, or about 95 calories in a whole NLEA serving (166g).

Do pears have much fiber?

They provide 3.1g fiber per 100g (11% DV), much of it concentrated in the skin.

How do you ripen pears?

Leave them at room temperature, ideally in a paper bag, until they yield slightly to pressure near the stem, then refrigerate to slow further ripening.

View the USDA source record