Cheese vs Sardines

Side-by-side macro comparison. Cheese vs Sardines per their standard serving sizes.

Cheese

per 1 oz (28g) cheddar

113 cal
7g Protein
0.4g Carbs
9g Fat
Full Cheese macros →
vs

Sardines

per 1 can (92g)

191 cal
23g Protein
0g Carbs
11g Fat
Full Sardines macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Cheese Sardines Difference
Calories 113 cal 191 cal -41% Cheese
Protein 7g 23g -70% Cheese
Carbs 0.4g 0g 0% Cheese
Fat 9g 11g -18% Cheese

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

Quick Take

Cheese delivers 113 calories per serving with 7g protein, 0.4g carbs, and 9g fat. Sardines delivers 191 calories with 23g protein, 0g carbs, and 11g fat. The most meaningful difference: Cheese saves 78 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. For protein density per calorie, Sardines wins at 48% of calories from protein.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Cheese gives you 78 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), Sardines delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Sardines brings 191 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Sardines delivers 23g 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 Cheese and Sardines are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Cheese or Sardines?

Sardines has more protein: 23g vs 7g per serving. That's a difference of 16g.

Which has fewer calories, Cheese or Sardines?

Cheese has 113 calories per serving vs 191 calories in Sardines — a difference of 78 calories.

Is Cheese or Sardines better for keto?

Sardines is the better keto choice at 0g carbs per serving vs 0.4g carbs in Cheese.

Is Cheese or Sardines better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Cheese gives you more calorie flexibility (78 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Sardines delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Sardines.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Sardines

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Sardines

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Sardines

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 Cheese and Sardines stack up:

Full Cheese guideFull Sardines guideAll comparisons