Banana vs Brown Rice

Side-by-side macro comparison. Banana vs Brown Rice per their standard serving sizes.

Banana

per 1 medium (118g)

105 cal
1.3g Protein
27g Carbs
0.4g Fat
Full Banana macros →
vs

Brown Rice

per 100g cooked

112 cal
2.6g Protein
24g Carbs
0.9g Fat
Full Brown Rice macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Banana Brown Rice Difference
Calories 105 cal 112 cal -6% Banana
Protein 1.3g 2.6g -50% Banana
Carbs 27g 24g +13% Banana
Fat 0.4g 0.9g -56% Banana

Differences shown relative to Banana. Positive = Banana has more.

Quick Take

Banana delivers 105 calories per serving with 1.3g protein, 27g carbs, and 0.4g fat. Brown Rice delivers 112 calories with 2.6g protein, 24g carbs, and 0.9g fat. The most meaningful difference: they're within 7 calories per serving, so calorie load is essentially equivalent. Both deliver similar protein density.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Banana gives you 7 more calories of headroom per serving — that's room for an extra snack, more vegetables, or a higher-protein second portion. If protein density matters more (which it does for preserving muscle on a deficit), Brown Rice delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Brown Rice brings 112 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Brown Rice delivers 2.6g of protein per serving, which directly feeds muscle protein synthesis. The best pick depends on whether you need more total calories or more usable protein.

For Keto / Low-Carb

Brown Rice fits cleanly into keto with only 24g carbs. Banana at 27g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Banana or Brown Rice?

Brown Rice has more protein: 2.6g vs 1.3g per serving. That's a difference of 1.3g.

Which has fewer calories, Banana or Brown Rice?

Banana has 105 calories per serving vs 112 calories in Brown Rice — a difference of 7 calories.

Is Banana or Brown Rice better for keto?

Brown Rice is the better keto choice at 24g carbs per serving vs 27g carbs in Banana.

Is Banana or Brown Rice better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Banana gives you more calorie flexibility (7 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Brown Rice delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Brown Rice.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Brown Rice

Higher protein-to-calorie density + lower absolute fat = more satiety per calorie.

💪 Muscle Gain

Brown Rice

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Brown Rice

Lower carbohydrate content fits keto and low-carb macros without burning your carb budget.

Both fit most balanced diets. These verdicts reflect macro-only comparisons — taste, satiety, cost, and personal preference also matter.

Find Your Personal Macros

The "right" food depends on your individual macro targets. Calculate yours in 60 seconds:

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Related Comparisons

Other ways Banana and Brown Rice stack up:

Full Banana guideFull Brown Rice guideAll comparisons