Farro vs Lentils

Side-by-side macro comparison. Farro vs Lentils per their standard serving sizes.

Farro

per 1 cup cooked (170g)

220 cal
8g Protein
47g Carbs
1.5g Fat
Full Farro macros →
vs

Lentils

per 1 cup cooked (198g)

230 cal
18g Protein
40g Carbs
0.8g Fat
Full Lentils macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Farro Lentils Difference
Calories 220 cal 230 cal -4% Farro
Protein 8g 18g -56% Farro
Carbs 47g 40g +18% Farro
Fat 1.5g 0.8g +87% Farro

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

Quick Take

Farro delivers 220 calories per serving with 8g protein, 47g carbs, and 1.5g fat. Lentils delivers 230 calories with 18g protein, 40g carbs, and 0.8g fat. The most meaningful difference: they're within 10 calories per serving, so calorie load is essentially equivalent. For protein density per calorie, Lentils wins at 31% of calories from protein.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Farro gives you 10 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), Lentils delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Lentils brings 230 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Lentils delivers 18g 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

Lentils fits cleanly into keto with only 40g carbs. Farro at 47g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Farro or Lentils?

Lentils has more protein: 18g vs 8g per serving. That's a difference of 10g.

Which has fewer calories, Farro or Lentils?

Farro has 220 calories per serving vs 230 calories in Lentils — a difference of 10 calories.

Is Farro or Lentils better for keto?

Lentils is the better keto choice at 40g carbs per serving vs 47g carbs in Farro.

Is Farro or Lentils better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Farro gives you more calorie flexibility (10 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Lentils delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Lentils.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Lentils

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Lentils

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Lentils

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 Farro and Lentils stack up:

Full Farro guideFull Lentils guideAll comparisons