Honey vs Maple Syrup

Side-by-side macro comparison. Honey vs Maple Syrup per their standard serving sizes.

Honey

per 1 tbsp (21g)

64 cal
0.1g Protein
17g Carbs
0g Fat
Full Honey macros →
vs

Maple Syrup

per 1 tbsp (20g)

52 cal
0g Protein
13g Carbs
0g Fat
Full Maple Syrup macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Honey Maple Syrup Difference
Calories 64 cal 52 cal +23% Honey
Protein 0.1g 0g 0% Honey
Carbs 17g 13g +31% Honey
Fat 0g 0g 0% Honey

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

Quick Take

Honey delivers 64 calories per serving with 0.1g protein, 17g carbs, and 0g fat. Maple Syrup delivers 52 calories with 0g protein, 13g carbs, and 0g fat. The most meaningful difference: they're within 12 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, Maple Syrup gives you 12 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), Honey delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Honey brings 64 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Honey delivers 0.1g 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

Maple Syrup fits cleanly into keto with only 13g carbs. Honey at 17g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Honey or Maple Syrup?

Honey has more protein: 0.1g vs 0g per serving. That's a difference of 0.1g.

Which has fewer calories, Honey or Maple Syrup?

Maple Syrup has 52 calories per serving vs 64 calories in Honey — a difference of 12 calories.

Is Honey or Maple Syrup better for keto?

Maple Syrup is the better keto choice at 13g carbs per serving vs 17g carbs in Honey.

Is Honey or Maple Syrup better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Maple Syrup gives you more calorie flexibility (12 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Honey delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Honey.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Honey

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Honey

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Maple Syrup

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 Honey and Maple Syrup stack up:

Full Honey guideFull Maple Syrup guideAll comparisons