Onion vs Potato

Side-by-side macro comparison. Onion vs Potato per their standard serving sizes.

Onion

per 1 medium (110g)

44 cal
1.2g Protein
10g Carbs
0.1g Fat
Full Onion macros →
vs

Potato

per 1 medium (173g)

161 cal
4.3g Protein
37g Carbs
0.2g Fat
Full Potato macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Onion Potato Difference
Calories 44 cal 161 cal -73% Onion
Protein 1.2g 4.3g -72% Onion
Carbs 10g 37g -73% Onion
Fat 0.1g 0.2g -50% Onion

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

Quick Take

Onion delivers 44 calories per serving with 1.2g protein, 10g carbs, and 0.1g fat. Potato delivers 161 calories with 4.3g protein, 37g carbs, and 0.2g fat. The most meaningful difference: Onion saves 117 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. Both deliver similar protein density.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Onion gives you 117 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), Potato delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Potato brings 161 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Potato delivers 4.3g 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

Onion fits cleanly into keto with only 10g carbs. Potato at 37g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Onion or Potato?

Potato has more protein: 4.3g vs 1.2g per serving. That's a difference of 3.0999999999999996g.

Which has fewer calories, Onion or Potato?

Onion has 44 calories per serving vs 161 calories in Potato — a difference of 117 calories.

Is Onion or Potato better for keto?

Onion is the better keto choice at 10g carbs per serving vs 37g carbs in Potato.

Is Onion or Potato better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Onion gives you more calorie flexibility (117 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Potato delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Potato.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Onion

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Potato

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Onion

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 Onion and Potato stack up:

Full Onion guideFull Potato guideAll comparisons