💡 Quick Answer
100 ml of sugarcane juice has about 58 kcal, and one regular 250 ml glass has about 144 kcal and 34.2 g of carbohydrate (IFCT 2017). It is more calorie-dense than cola (42 kcal per 100 g) and orange juice (45 kcal), with almost no protein.
- Small glass (150 ml): 87 kcal.
- Large glass (350 ml): 202 kcal.
- Protein: 0.2 g per 100 g, essentially none.
Portion calculator
250 g of sugarcane juice (IFCT 2017) ≈ 0.5 g protein · 145 kcal
Scaled from the figures on this page. Brands and recipes vary.
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A glass of sugarcane juice (ganne ka ras) is a classic summer drink and one of the easiest places to take in a lot of sugar without noticing. It tastes light, and it looks like a "natural" drink, but it is still liquid sugar with a few minerals. The calories depend almost entirely on glass size, so this page gives the figures per 100 ml and for every serving a stall serves, then compares them with soft drinks and other juices.
Sugarcane Juice Calories and Nutrition per 100 g
| Drink (100 g) | Weight | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fibre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sugarcane juice (IFCT 2017) | 100 g | 58 kcal | 0.2 g | 13.7 g | 0.4 g | 0.6 g |
| Cola, regular (USDA) | 100 g | 42 kcal | 0.0 g | 10.4 g | 0.2 g | 0.0 g |
| Orange juice, raw (USDA) | 100 g | 45 kcal | 0.7 g | 10.4 g | 0.2 g | 0.2 g |
| Coconut water, fresh (USDA) | 100 g | 19 kcal | 0.7 g | 3.7 g | 0.2 g | 1.1 g |
| Cow milk, whole (IFCT 2017) | 100 g | 73 kcal | 3.3 g | 4.9 g | 4.5 g | 0.0 g |
Source: IFCT 2017 (ICMR-NIN), Sugarcane juice (I002) and cow milk (L002; carbohydrate is available carbohydrate plus fibre, energy converted from kJ); USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy), IDs 174852, 169098 and 170174. Drinks are treated as 1 ml = 1 g.
IFCT 2017 lists sugarcane juice at 58 kcal per 100 g, with 13.7 g of carbohydrate (nearly all sugar), 0.4 g of fat and 0.2 g of protein. That is about 38 percent more calories per 100 g than regular cola (42 kcal) and more than orange juice (45 kcal). Coconut water is much lighter at 19 kcal, and whole milk is 73 kcal with real protein. The point is not that cane juice is "bad", but that it is a sugary drink and should be counted like one.
Calories in 1 Glass of Sugarcane Juice
| Quantity | Weight | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Potassium | % of 3400 mg daily value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sugarcane juice, small glass | 150 ml (small glass) | 87 kcal | 0.2 g | 20.5 g | 0.6 g | 225 mg | 7% |
| Sugarcane juice, 1 glass | 250 ml (1 regular glass) | 144 kcal | 0.4 g | 34.2 g | 1.0 g | 375 mg | 11% |
| Sugarcane juice, large glass | 350 ml (large glass) | 202 kcal | 0.6 g | 47.8 g | 1.4 g | 525 mg | 15% |
| Sugarcane juice, 500 ml | 500 ml (a street-stall jug) | 289 kcal | 0.8 g | 68.3 g | 2.0 g | 750 mg | 22% |
| Sugarcane juice, 1 litre | 1 litre | 578 kcal | 1.6 g | 136.7 g | 4.0 g | 1500 mg | 44% |
Source: IFCT 2017 (ICMR-NIN), Sugarcane juice (I002). Potassium shown against 3,400 mg, the US adequate intake for adult men (2,600 mg for women). Glass sizes are typical street-stall sizes and our assumption.
A small 150 ml glass has about 87 kcal and 20.5 g of carbohydrate. A regular 250 ml glass has 144 kcal and 34.2 g, and a large 350 ml glass 202 kcal and 47.8 g. A half-litre jug is about 289 kcal, roughly three rotis. The numbers are for plain juice; many stalls add lemon, ginger and mint, which change little, but some add extra sugar, salt or ice made from ordinary water, so avoid additions if you can.
Is Sugarcane Juice Healthy?
It has some upsides. IFCT lists 150 mg of potassium per 100 g, 1.1 mg of iron and 13 mg of magnesium, so a glass provides a useful share of potassium, and it is a quick energy source on a hot day. The downsides are the sugar and the lack of fibre, protein and fat to slow it down. For people with diabetes, a glass is a large dose of fast carbohydrate: it can raise blood sugar quickly, so most doctors advise avoiding it or taking a very small portion, with advice from your own doctor. For weight loss, a daily glass adds roughly 144 kcal, about the same as a small meal.
Hygiene and Safety
Street sugarcane juice can carry germs from unwashed canes, dirty machines or contaminated ice, and illness from it is common in summer. Choose stalls that wash the cane, use clean ice (or none) and press juice fresh in front of you. Drink it soon after pressing, since it ferments and oxidises quickly. Children, pregnant women and anyone with a weak immune system should be more careful.
Healthier Ways to Cool Down
- Coconut water: about 19 kcal per 100 g with potassium; see our guide to potassium rich foods.
- Buttermilk or chaas: adds protein; compare it in protein in milk and protein in curd.
- Whole fruit instead of juice: more fibre and fewer calories; see mango calories or guava calories.
- Water with lemon and a pinch of salt for hydration without the sugar.
To see how drinks fit your daily budget, track them in the UltraFit360 app, set protein targets with the protein calculator, and browse the nutrition hub for the rest. For the sweetener comparison, read sugar calories per teaspoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in 1 glass of sugarcane juice?
A 250 ml glass has about 144 kcal and 34.2 g of carbohydrate (IFCT 2017). A small 150 ml glass has 87 kcal and a large 350 ml glass 202 kcal.
How many calories are in 100 ml of sugarcane juice?
About 58 kcal per 100 g, with 13.7 g of carbohydrate.
Does sugarcane juice have more calories than cola?
Per 100 g, yes: 58 kcal against 42 kcal for regular cola (USDA).
Is sugarcane juice good for weight loss?
No. It is a sugary drink with almost no protein or fibre, so it adds calories without filling you. Whole fruit or water is a better choice.
Can diabetics drink sugarcane juice?
It is high in fast sugars and is usually advised against or limited to a tiny portion. Check with your doctor or dietitian.
Is sugarcane juice good in summer?
It gives fluids, sugar and some potassium, which is why people like it. Choose a hygienic stall and keep the portion small.
Sources: IFCT 2017 (ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition): sugarcane juice (I002) and cow milk whole (L002), including potassium, iron and magnesium; USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy): regular cola (174852), raw orange juice (169098) and coconut water (170174). The potassium reference is the 2019 US adequate intake. Glass sizes are assumptions. Values are typical, not lab results.
Hitting your protein target on an Indian diet is easier when you can see it: UltraFit360 logs meals from a photo and tracks protein against your goal. Work out your number with the protein calculator.
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