Parmesan Cheese vs Scallops
Side-by-side macro comparison. Parmesan Cheese vs Scallops per their standard serving sizes.
Macro Comparison Table
| Macro | Parmesan Cheese | Scallops | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 122 cal | 137 cal | -11% Parmesan |
| Protein | 11g | 24g | -54% Parmesan |
| Carbs | 1g | 6g | -83% Parmesan |
| Fat | 8g | 1.4g | +471% Parmesan |
Differences shown relative to Parmesan Cheese. Positive = Parmesan Cheese has more.
Quick Take
Parmesan Cheese delivers 122 calories per serving with 11g protein, 1g carbs, and 8g fat. Scallops delivers 137 calories with 24g protein, 6g carbs, and 1.4g fat. The most meaningful difference: they're within 15 calories per serving, so calorie load is essentially equivalent. For protein density per calorie, Scallops wins at 70% of calories from protein.
When to Pick Each
For Cutting / Weight Loss
When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Parmesan Cheese gives you 15 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), Scallops delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.
For Bulking / Muscle Gain
For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Scallops brings 137 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Scallops delivers 24g 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 Parmesan Cheese and Scallops are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.
Frequently Asked
Which has more protein, Parmesan Cheese or Scallops?
Scallops has more protein: 24g vs 11g per serving. That's a difference of 13g.
Which has fewer calories, Parmesan Cheese or Scallops?
Parmesan Cheese has 122 calories per serving vs 137 calories in Scallops — a difference of 15 calories.
Is Parmesan Cheese or Scallops better for keto?
Parmesan Cheese is the better keto choice at 1g carbs per serving vs 6g carbs in Scallops.
Is Parmesan Cheese or Scallops better for weight loss?
For weight loss, Parmesan Cheese gives you more calorie flexibility (15 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Scallops delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Scallops.
Which Is Better for Your Goal?
🔥 Weight Loss
Scallops
Higher protein-to-calorie density + lower absolute fat = more satiety per calorie.
💪 Muscle Gain
Scallops
Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.
🥑 Low-Carb / Keto
Parmesan Cheese
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
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Other ways Parmesan Cheese and Scallops stack up:
Full Parmesan Cheese guide • Full Scallops guide • All comparisons