Cabbage vs Onion

Side-by-side macro comparison. Cabbage vs Onion per their standard serving sizes.

Cabbage

per 1 cup shredded (89g)

22 cal
1.1g Protein
5g Carbs
0.1g Fat
Full Cabbage macros →
vs

Onion

per 1 medium (110g)

44 cal
1.2g Protein
10g Carbs
0.1g Fat
Full Onion macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Cabbage Onion Difference
Calories 22 cal 44 cal -50% Cabbage
Protein 1.1g 1.2g -8% Cabbage
Carbs 5g 10g -50% Cabbage
Fat 0.1g 0.1g 0% Cabbage

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

Quick Take

Cabbage delivers 22 calories per serving with 1.1g protein, 5g carbs, and 0.1g fat. Onion delivers 44 calories with 1.2g protein, 10g carbs, and 0.1g fat. The most meaningful difference: they're within 22 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, Cabbage gives you 22 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), Cabbage delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Onion brings 44 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Onion delivers 1.2g 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

Cabbage fits cleanly into keto with only 5g carbs. Onion at 10g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Cabbage or Onion?

Onion has more protein: 1.2g vs 1.1g per serving. That's a difference of 0.09999999999999987g.

Which has fewer calories, Cabbage or Onion?

Cabbage has 22 calories per serving vs 44 calories in Onion — a difference of 22 calories.

Is Cabbage or Onion better for keto?

Cabbage is the better keto choice at 5g carbs per serving vs 10g carbs in Onion.

Is Cabbage or Onion better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Cabbage gives you more calorie flexibility (22 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Cabbage delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Cabbage.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Cabbage

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Onion

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Cabbage

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 Cabbage and Onion stack up:

Full Cabbage guideFull Onion guideAll comparisons