Parmesan Cheese vs Tuna

Side-by-side macro comparison. Parmesan Cheese vs Tuna per their standard serving sizes.

Parmesan Cheese

per 1 oz (28g)

122 cal
11g Protein
1g Carbs
8g Fat
Full Parmesan Cheese macros →
vs

Tuna

per 100g canned in water, drained

116 cal
26g Protein
0g Carbs
0.8g Fat
Full Tuna macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Parmesan Cheese Tuna Difference
Calories 122 cal 116 cal +5% Parmesan
Protein 11g 26g -58% Parmesan
Carbs 1g 0g 0% Parmesan
Fat 8g 0.8g +900% 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. Tuna delivers 116 calories with 26g protein, 0g carbs, and 0.8g fat. The most meaningful difference: they're within 6 calories per serving, so calorie load is essentially equivalent. For protein density per calorie, Tuna wins at 90% of calories from protein.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Tuna gives you 6 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), Tuna delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Parmesan Cheese brings 122 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Tuna delivers 26g 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 Tuna are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Parmesan Cheese or Tuna?

Tuna has more protein: 26g vs 11g per serving. That's a difference of 15g.

Which has fewer calories, Parmesan Cheese or Tuna?

Tuna has 116 calories per serving vs 122 calories in Parmesan Cheese — a difference of 6 calories.

Is Parmesan Cheese or Tuna better for keto?

Tuna is the better keto choice at 0g carbs per serving vs 1g carbs in Parmesan Cheese.

Is Parmesan Cheese or Tuna better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Tuna gives you more calorie flexibility (6 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Tuna delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Tuna.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Tuna

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Tuna

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Tuna

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 Parmesan Cheese and Tuna stack up:

Full Parmesan Cheese guideFull Tuna guideAll comparisons