Mushrooms vs Sardines

Side-by-side macro comparison. Mushrooms vs Sardines per their standard serving sizes.

Mushrooms

per 1 cup sliced (70g)

15 cal
2.2g Protein
2.3g Carbs
0.2g Fat
Full Mushrooms macros →
vs

Sardines

per 1 can (92g)

191 cal
23g Protein
0g Carbs
11g Fat
Full Sardines macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Mushrooms Sardines Difference
Calories 15 cal 191 cal -92% Mushrooms
Protein 2.2g 23g -90% Mushrooms
Carbs 2.3g 0g 0% Mushrooms
Fat 0.2g 11g -98% Mushrooms

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

Quick Take

Mushrooms delivers 15 calories per serving with 2.2g protein, 2.3g carbs, and 0.2g fat. Sardines delivers 191 calories with 23g protein, 0g carbs, and 11g fat. The most meaningful difference: Mushrooms saves 176 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. For protein density per calorie, Mushrooms wins at 59% of calories from protein.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Mushrooms gives you 176 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), Mushrooms delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Sardines brings 191 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Sardines delivers 23g 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

Both Mushrooms and Sardines are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Mushrooms or Sardines?

Sardines has more protein: 23g vs 2.2g per serving. That's a difference of 20.8g.

Which has fewer calories, Mushrooms or Sardines?

Mushrooms has 15 calories per serving vs 191 calories in Sardines — a difference of 176 calories.

Is Mushrooms or Sardines better for keto?

Sardines is the better keto choice at 0g carbs per serving vs 2.3g carbs in Mushrooms.

Is Mushrooms or Sardines better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Mushrooms gives you more calorie flexibility (176 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Mushrooms delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Mushrooms.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Mushrooms

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Sardines

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Sardines

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 Mushrooms and Sardines stack up:

Full Mushrooms guideFull Sardines guideAll comparisons