Cream Cheese vs Walnuts

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

Cream Cheese

per 2 tbsp (28g)

99 cal
1.7g Protein
1.6g Carbs
10g Fat
Full Cream Cheese macros →
vs

Walnuts

per 1 oz (28g)

185 cal
4.3g Protein
3.9g Carbs
18g Fat
Full Walnuts macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Cream Cheese Walnuts Difference
Calories 99 cal 185 cal -46% Cream
Protein 1.7g 4.3g -60% Cream
Carbs 1.6g 3.9g -59% Cream
Fat 10g 18g -44% Cream

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

Quick Take

Cream Cheese delivers 99 calories per serving with 1.7g protein, 1.6g carbs, and 10g fat. Walnuts delivers 185 calories with 4.3g protein, 3.9g carbs, and 18g fat. The most meaningful difference: Cream Cheese saves 86 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. Both deliver similar protein density.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Cream Cheese gives you 86 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), Walnuts delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Walnuts brings 185 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Walnuts delivers 4.3g 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 Cream Cheese and Walnuts are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Cream Cheese or Walnuts?

Walnuts has more protein: 4.3g vs 1.7g per serving. That's a difference of 2.5999999999999996g.

Which has fewer calories, Cream Cheese or Walnuts?

Cream Cheese has 99 calories per serving vs 185 calories in Walnuts — a difference of 86 calories.

Is Cream Cheese or Walnuts better for keto?

Cream Cheese is the better keto choice at 1.6g carbs per serving vs 3.9g carbs in Walnuts.

Is Cream Cheese or Walnuts better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Cream Cheese gives you more calorie flexibility (86 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Walnuts delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Walnuts.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Cream Cheese

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Walnuts

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Cream Cheese

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 Cream Cheese and Walnuts stack up:

Full Cream Cheese guideFull Walnuts guideAll comparisons