Tempeh vs Tuna

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

Tempeh

per 100g

195 cal
20g Protein
8g Carbs
11g Fat
Full Tempeh 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 Tempeh Tuna Difference
Calories 195 cal 116 cal +68% Tempeh
Protein 20g 26g -23% Tempeh
Carbs 8g 0g 0% Tempeh
Fat 11g 0.8g +1275% Tempeh

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

Quick Take

Tempeh delivers 195 calories per serving with 20g protein, 8g carbs, and 11g fat. Tuna delivers 116 calories with 26g protein, 0g carbs, and 0.8g fat. The most meaningful difference: Tuna saves 79 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. 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 79 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. Tempeh brings 195 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 Tempeh and Tuna are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Tempeh or Tuna?

Tuna has more protein: 26g vs 20g per serving. That's a difference of 6g.

Which has fewer calories, Tempeh or Tuna?

Tuna has 116 calories per serving vs 195 calories in Tempeh — a difference of 79 calories.

Is Tempeh or Tuna better for keto?

Tuna is the better keto choice at 0g carbs per serving vs 8g carbs in Tempeh.

Is Tempeh or Tuna better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Tuna gives you more calorie flexibility (79 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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