Beef Jerky vs Spinach

Side-by-side macro comparison. Beef Jerky vs Spinach per their standard serving sizes.

Beef Jerky

per 1 oz (28g)

116 cal
9.4g Protein
3.1g Carbs
7.3g Fat
Full Beef Jerky macros →
vs

Spinach

per 1 cup raw (30g)

7 cal
0.9g Protein
1.1g Carbs
0.1g Fat
Full Spinach macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Beef Jerky Spinach Difference
Calories 116 cal 7 cal +1557% Beef
Protein 9.4g 0.9g +944% Beef
Carbs 3.1g 1.1g +182% Beef
Fat 7.3g 0.1g +7200% Beef

Differences shown relative to Beef Jerky. Positive = Beef Jerky has more.

Quick Take

Beef Jerky delivers 116 calories per serving with 9.4g protein, 3.1g carbs, and 7.3g fat. Spinach delivers 7 calories with 0.9g protein, 1.1g carbs, and 0.1g fat. The most meaningful difference: Spinach saves 109 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. For protein density per calorie, Spinach wins at 51% of calories from protein.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Spinach gives you 109 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), Spinach delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Beef Jerky brings 116 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Beef Jerky delivers 9.4g 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

Both Beef Jerky and Spinach are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Beef Jerky or Spinach?

Beef Jerky has more protein: 9.4g vs 0.9g per serving. That's a difference of 8.5g.

Which has fewer calories, Beef Jerky or Spinach?

Spinach has 7 calories per serving vs 116 calories in Beef Jerky — a difference of 109 calories.

Is Beef Jerky or Spinach better for keto?

Spinach is the better keto choice at 1.1g carbs per serving vs 3.1g carbs in Beef Jerky.

Is Beef Jerky or Spinach better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Spinach gives you more calorie flexibility (109 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Spinach delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Spinach.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Spinach

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Beef Jerky

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Spinach

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 Beef Jerky and Spinach stack up:

Full Beef Jerky guideFull Spinach guideAll comparisons