Corn vs Wild Rice

Side-by-side macro comparison. Corn vs Wild Rice per their standard serving sizes.

Corn

per 1 cup (164g)

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

Wild Rice

per 1 cup cooked (164g)

166 cal
6.5g Protein
35g Carbs
0.6g Fat
Full Wild Rice macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Corn Wild Rice Difference
Calories 177 cal 166 cal +7% Corn
Protein 5.4g 6.5g -17% Corn
Carbs 41g 35g +17% Corn
Fat 2.1g 0.6g +250% 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. Wild Rice delivers 166 calories with 6.5g protein, 35g carbs, and 0.6g fat. The most meaningful difference: they're within 11 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, Wild Rice gives you 11 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), Wild Rice delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Corn brings 177 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Wild Rice delivers 6.5g 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

Wild Rice fits cleanly into keto with only 35g carbs. Corn at 41g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Corn or Wild Rice?

Wild Rice has more protein: 6.5g vs 5.4g per serving. That's a difference of 1.0999999999999996g.

Which has fewer calories, Corn or Wild Rice?

Wild Rice has 166 calories per serving vs 177 calories in Corn — a difference of 11 calories.

Is Corn or Wild Rice better for keto?

Wild Rice is the better keto choice at 35g carbs per serving vs 41g carbs in Corn.

Is Corn or Wild Rice better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Wild Rice gives you more calorie flexibility (11 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Wild Rice delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Wild Rice.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Wild Rice

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Wild Rice

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Wild 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 Corn and Wild Rice stack up:

Full Corn guideFull Wild Rice guideAll comparisons