Corn vs Kidney Beans

Side-by-side macro comparison. Corn vs Kidney Beans per their standard serving sizes.

Corn

per 1 cup (164g)

177 cal
5.4g Protein
41g Carbs
2.1g Fat
Full Corn macros →
vs

Kidney Beans

per 1 cup cooked (177g)

225 cal
15g Protein
40g Carbs
0.9g Fat
Full Kidney Beans macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Corn Kidney Beans Difference
Calories 177 cal 225 cal -21% Corn
Protein 5.4g 15g -64% Corn
Carbs 41g 40g +3% Corn
Fat 2.1g 0.9g +133% Corn

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

Quick Take

Corn delivers 177 calories per serving with 5.4g protein, 41g carbs, and 2.1g fat. Kidney Beans delivers 225 calories with 15g protein, 40g carbs, and 0.9g fat. The most meaningful difference: Corn saves 48 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. For protein density per calorie, Kidney Beans wins at 27% of calories from protein.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Corn gives you 48 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), Kidney Beans delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Kidney Beans brings 225 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Kidney Beans delivers 15g 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

Kidney Beans fits cleanly into keto with only 40g carbs. Corn at 41g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Corn or Kidney Beans?

Kidney Beans has more protein: 15g vs 5.4g per serving. That's a difference of 9.6g.

Which has fewer calories, Corn or Kidney Beans?

Corn has 177 calories per serving vs 225 calories in Kidney Beans — a difference of 48 calories.

Is Corn or Kidney Beans better for keto?

Kidney Beans is the better keto choice at 40g carbs per serving vs 41g carbs in Corn.

Is Corn or Kidney Beans better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Corn gives you more calorie flexibility (48 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Kidney Beans delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Kidney Beans.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Kidney Beans

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Kidney Beans

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Kidney Beans

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:

→ Calculate My Macros (Free)

Related Comparisons

Other ways Corn and Kidney Beans stack up:

Full Corn guideFull Kidney Beans guideAll comparisons