Parmesan Cheese vs Turkey Breast (deli)

Side-by-side macro comparison. Parmesan Cheese vs Turkey Breast (deli) per their standard serving sizes.

Parmesan Cheese

per 1 oz (28g)

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

Turkey Breast (deli)

per 2 slices (56g)

50 cal
11g Protein
1g Carbs
0.5g Fat
Full Turkey Breast (deli) macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Parmesan Cheese Turkey Breast (deli) Difference
Calories 122 cal 50 cal +144% Parmesan
Protein 11g 11g 0% Parmesan
Carbs 1g 1g 0% Parmesan
Fat 8g 0.5g +1500% 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. Turkey Breast (deli) delivers 50 calories with 11g protein, 1g carbs, and 0.5g fat. The most meaningful difference: Turkey Breast (deli) saves 72 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, Turkey Breast (deli) gives you 72 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), Turkey Breast (deli) 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. Turkey Breast (deli) delivers 11g 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 Turkey Breast (deli) are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Parmesan Cheese or Turkey Breast (deli)?

Turkey Breast (deli) has more protein: 11g vs 11g per serving. That's a difference of 0g.

Which has fewer calories, Parmesan Cheese or Turkey Breast (deli)?

Turkey Breast (deli) has 50 calories per serving vs 122 calories in Parmesan Cheese — a difference of 72 calories.

Is Parmesan Cheese or Turkey Breast (deli) better for keto?

Turkey Breast (deli) is the better keto choice at 1g carbs per serving vs 1g carbs in Parmesan Cheese.

Is Parmesan Cheese or Turkey Breast (deli) better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Turkey Breast (deli) gives you more calorie flexibility (72 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Turkey Breast (deli) delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Turkey Breast (deli).

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Turkey Breast (deli)

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

💪 Muscle Gain

tie

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

tie

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 Parmesan Cheese and Turkey Breast (deli) stack up:

Full Parmesan Cheese guideFull Turkey Breast (deli) guideAll comparisons