String Cheese vs Tempeh
Side-by-side macro comparison. String Cheese vs Tempeh per their standard serving sizes.
Macro Comparison Table
| Macro | String Cheese | Tempeh | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 80 cal | 195 cal | -59% String |
| Protein | 7g | 20g | -65% String |
| Carbs | 1g | 8g | -87% String |
| Fat | 6g | 11g | -45% String |
Differences shown relative to String Cheese. Positive = String Cheese has more.
Quick Take
String Cheese delivers 80 calories per serving with 7g protein, 1g carbs, and 6g fat. Tempeh delivers 195 calories with 20g protein, 8g carbs, and 11g fat. The most meaningful difference: String Cheese saves 115 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. For protein density per calorie, Tempeh wins at 41% of calories from protein.
When to Pick Each
For Cutting / Weight Loss
When cutting on a tight calorie budget, String Cheese gives you 115 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), Tempeh delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.
For Bulking / Muscle Gain
For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Tempeh brings 195 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Tempeh delivers 20g 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 String Cheese and Tempeh are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.
Frequently Asked
Which has more protein, String Cheese or Tempeh?
Tempeh has more protein: 20g vs 7g per serving. That's a difference of 13g.
Which has fewer calories, String Cheese or Tempeh?
String Cheese has 80 calories per serving vs 195 calories in Tempeh — a difference of 115 calories.
Is String Cheese or Tempeh better for keto?
String Cheese is the better keto choice at 1g carbs per serving vs 8g carbs in Tempeh.
Is String Cheese or Tempeh better for weight loss?
For weight loss, String Cheese gives you more calorie flexibility (115 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Tempeh delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Tempeh.
Which Is Better for Your Goal?
🔥 Weight Loss
String Cheese
Higher protein-to-calorie density + lower absolute fat = more satiety per calorie.
💪 Muscle Gain
Tempeh
Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.
🥑 Low-Carb / Keto
String 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
The "right" food depends on your individual macro targets. Calculate yours in 60 seconds:
→ Calculate My Macros (Free)Related Comparisons
Other ways String Cheese and Tempeh stack up:
Full String Cheese guide • Full Tempeh guide • All comparisons