Lentils vs Powerade

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

Lentils

per 1 cup cooked (198g)

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

Powerade

per 34g × 4 cal/g = 136 cal, rounded to 140 on labels

140 cal
0g Protein
34g Carbs
0g Fat
Full Powerade macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Lentils Powerade Difference
Calories 230 cal 140 cal +64% Lentils
Protein 18g 0g 0% Lentils
Carbs 40g 34g +18% Lentils
Fat 0.8g 0g 0% Lentils

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

Quick Take

Lentils delivers 230 calories per serving with 18g protein, 40g carbs, and 0.8g fat. Powerade delivers 140 calories with 0g protein, 34g carbs, and 0g fat. The most meaningful difference: Powerade saves 90 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. 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, Powerade gives you 90 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

Powerade fits cleanly into keto with only 34g carbs. Lentils at 40g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Lentils or Powerade?

Lentils has more protein: 18g vs 0g per serving. That's a difference of 18g.

Which has fewer calories, Lentils or Powerade?

Powerade has 140 calories per serving vs 230 calories in Lentils — a difference of 90 calories.

Is Lentils or Powerade better for keto?

Powerade is the better keto choice at 34g carbs per serving vs 40g carbs in Lentils.

Is Lentils or Powerade better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Powerade gives you more calorie flexibility (90 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

Powerade

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 Lentils and Powerade stack up:

Full Lentils guideFull Powerade guideAll comparisons