Dates vs Orange Juice

Side-by-side macro comparison. Dates vs Orange Juice 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

Orange Juice

per 1 cup (248ml)

112 cal
1.7g Protein
26g Carbs
0.5g Fat
Full Orange Juice macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Dates Orange Juice Difference
Calories 133 cal 112 cal +19% Dates
Protein 0.9g 1.7g -47% Dates
Carbs 36g 26g +38% Dates
Fat 0.1g 0.5g -80% 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. Orange Juice delivers 112 calories with 1.7g protein, 26g carbs, and 0.5g fat. The most meaningful difference: they're within 21 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, Orange Juice gives you 21 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), Orange Juice delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Dates brings 133 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Orange Juice delivers 1.7g 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

Orange Juice fits cleanly into keto with only 26g carbs. Dates at 36g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Dates or Orange Juice?

Orange Juice has more protein: 1.7g vs 0.9g per serving. That's a difference of 0.7999999999999999g.

Which has fewer calories, Dates or Orange Juice?

Orange Juice has 112 calories per serving vs 133 calories in Dates — a difference of 21 calories.

Is Dates or Orange Juice better for keto?

Orange Juice is the better keto choice at 26g carbs per serving vs 36g carbs in Dates.

Is Dates or Orange Juice better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Orange Juice gives you more calorie flexibility (21 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Orange Juice delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Orange Juice.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Orange Juice

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Orange Juice

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Orange Juice

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 Orange Juice stack up:

Full Dates guideFull Orange Juice guideAll comparisons