Dates vs Navy Beans

Side-by-side macro comparison. Dates vs Navy Beans per their standard serving sizes.

Dates

per 2 medjool dates (48g)

133 cal
0.9g Protein
36g Carbs
0.1g Fat
Full Dates macros →
vs

Navy Beans

per 1 cup cooked (182g)

255 cal
15g Protein
47g Carbs
1.1g Fat
Full Navy Beans macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Dates Navy Beans Difference
Calories 133 cal 255 cal -48% Dates
Protein 0.9g 15g -94% Dates
Carbs 36g 47g -23% Dates
Fat 0.1g 1.1g -91% Dates

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

Quick Take

Dates delivers 133 calories per serving with 0.9g protein, 36g carbs, and 0.1g fat. Navy Beans delivers 255 calories with 15g protein, 47g carbs, and 1.1g fat. The most meaningful difference: Dates saves 122 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. For protein density per calorie, Navy Beans wins at 24% of calories from protein.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Dates gives you 122 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), Navy Beans delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Navy Beans brings 255 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Navy 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

Dates fits cleanly into keto with only 36g carbs. Navy Beans at 47g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Dates or Navy Beans?

Navy Beans has more protein: 15g vs 0.9g per serving. That's a difference of 14.1g.

Which has fewer calories, Dates or Navy Beans?

Dates has 133 calories per serving vs 255 calories in Navy Beans — a difference of 122 calories.

Is Dates or Navy Beans better for keto?

Dates is the better keto choice at 36g carbs per serving vs 47g carbs in Navy Beans.

Is Dates or Navy Beans better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Dates gives you more calorie flexibility (122 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Navy Beans delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Navy Beans.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Navy Beans

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Navy Beans

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Dates

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 Dates and Navy Beans stack up:

Full Dates guideFull Navy Beans guideAll comparisons