Banana vs Lentils

Side-by-side macro comparison. Banana vs Lentils per their standard serving sizes.

Banana

per 1 medium (118g)

105 cal
1.3g Protein
27g Carbs
0.4g Fat
Full Banana macros →
vs

Lentils

per 1 cup cooked (198g)

230 cal
18g Protein
40g Carbs
0.8g Fat
Full Lentils macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Banana Lentils Difference
Calories 105 cal 230 cal -54% Banana
Protein 1.3g 18g -93% Banana
Carbs 27g 40g -32% Banana
Fat 0.4g 0.8g -50% Banana

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

Quick Take

Banana delivers 105 calories per serving with 1.3g protein, 27g carbs, and 0.4g fat. Lentils delivers 230 calories with 18g protein, 40g carbs, and 0.8g fat. The most meaningful difference: Banana saves 125 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. For protein density per calorie, Lentils wins at 31% of calories from protein.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Banana gives you 125 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), Lentils delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Lentils brings 230 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Lentils delivers 18g 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

Banana fits cleanly into keto with only 27g carbs. Lentils at 40g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Banana or Lentils?

Lentils has more protein: 18g vs 1.3g per serving. That's a difference of 16.7g.

Which has fewer calories, Banana or Lentils?

Banana has 105 calories per serving vs 230 calories in Lentils — a difference of 125 calories.

Is Banana or Lentils better for keto?

Banana is the better keto choice at 27g carbs per serving vs 40g carbs in Lentils.

Is Banana or Lentils better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Banana gives you more calorie flexibility (125 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Lentils delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Lentils.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Lentils

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Lentils

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Banana

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 Banana and Lentils stack up:

Full Banana guideFull Lentils guideAll comparisons