Rice Cakes vs Sushi

Side-by-side macro comparison. Rice Cakes vs Sushi per their standard serving sizes.

Rice Cakes

per 1 cake (9g)

35 cal
0.7g Protein
7g Carbs
0.3g Fat
Full Rice Cakes macros →
vs

Sushi

per 1 California roll (8 pieces)

255 cal
9g Protein
38g Carbs
7g Fat
Full Sushi macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Rice Cakes Sushi Difference
Calories 35 cal 255 cal -86% Rice
Protein 0.7g 9g -92% Rice
Carbs 7g 38g -82% Rice
Fat 0.3g 7g -96% Rice

Differences shown relative to Rice Cakes. Positive = Rice Cakes has more.

Quick Take

Rice Cakes delivers 35 calories per serving with 0.7g protein, 7g carbs, and 0.3g fat. Sushi delivers 255 calories with 9g protein, 38g carbs, and 7g fat. The most meaningful difference: Rice Cakes saves 220 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. For protein density per calorie, Sushi wins at 14% of calories from protein.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Rice Cakes gives you 220 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), Sushi delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Sushi brings 255 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Sushi delivers 9g 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

Rice Cakes fits cleanly into keto with only 7g carbs. Sushi at 38g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Rice Cakes or Sushi?

Sushi has more protein: 9g vs 0.7g per serving. That's a difference of 8.3g.

Which has fewer calories, Rice Cakes or Sushi?

Rice Cakes has 35 calories per serving vs 255 calories in Sushi — a difference of 220 calories.

Is Rice Cakes or Sushi better for keto?

Rice Cakes is the better keto choice at 7g carbs per serving vs 38g carbs in Sushi.

Is Rice Cakes or Sushi better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Rice Cakes gives you more calorie flexibility (220 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Sushi delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Sushi.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Rice Cakes

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Sushi

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Rice Cakes

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 Rice Cakes and Sushi stack up:

Full Rice Cakes guideFull Sushi guideAll comparisons