Potato vs Wild Rice

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

Potato

per 1 medium (173g)

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

Wild Rice

per 1 cup cooked (164g)

166 cal
6.5g Protein
35g Carbs
0.6g Fat
Full Wild Rice macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Potato Wild Rice Difference
Calories 161 cal 166 cal -3% Potato
Protein 4.3g 6.5g -34% Potato
Carbs 37g 35g +6% Potato
Fat 0.2g 0.6g -67% Potato

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

Quick Take

Potato delivers 161 calories per serving with 4.3g protein, 37g carbs, and 0.2g fat. Wild Rice delivers 166 calories with 6.5g protein, 35g carbs, and 0.6g fat. The most meaningful difference: they're within 5 calories per serving, so calorie load is essentially equivalent. Both deliver similar protein density.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Potato gives you 5 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), Wild Rice delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Wild Rice brings 166 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Wild Rice delivers 6.5g 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

Wild Rice fits cleanly into keto with only 35g carbs. Potato at 37g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Potato or Wild Rice?

Wild Rice has more protein: 6.5g vs 4.3g per serving. That's a difference of 2.2g.

Which has fewer calories, Potato or Wild Rice?

Potato has 161 calories per serving vs 166 calories in Wild Rice — a difference of 5 calories.

Is Potato or Wild Rice better for keto?

Wild Rice is the better keto choice at 35g carbs per serving vs 37g carbs in Potato.

Is Potato or Wild Rice better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Potato gives you more calorie flexibility (5 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Wild Rice delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Wild Rice.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Wild Rice

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Wild Rice

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Wild Rice

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 Potato and Wild Rice stack up:

Full Potato guideFull Wild Rice guideAll comparisons