Cashews vs Chili

Side-by-side macro comparison. Cashews vs Chili per their standard serving sizes.

Cashews

per 1 oz (28g)

157 cal
5.2g Protein
9g Carbs
12g Fat
Full Cashews macros →
vs

Chili

per 1 cup (250g)

287 cal
22g Protein
30g Carbs
9g Fat
Full Chili macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Cashews Chili Difference
Calories 157 cal 287 cal -45% Cashews
Protein 5.2g 22g -76% Cashews
Carbs 9g 30g -70% Cashews
Fat 12g 9g +33% Cashews

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

Quick Take

Cashews delivers 157 calories per serving with 5.2g protein, 9g carbs, and 12g fat. Chili delivers 287 calories with 22g protein, 30g carbs, and 9g fat. The most meaningful difference: Cashews saves 130 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. For protein density per calorie, Chili wins at 31% of calories from protein.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Cashews gives you 130 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), Chili delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Chili brings 287 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Chili delivers 22g 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

Cashews fits cleanly into keto with only 9g carbs. Chili at 30g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20-30g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Cashews or Chili?

Chili has more protein: 22g vs 5.2g per serving. That's a difference of 16.8g.

Which has fewer calories, Cashews or Chili?

Cashews has 157 calories per serving vs 287 calories in Chili — a difference of 130 calories.

Is Cashews or Chili better for keto?

Cashews is the better keto choice at 9g carbs per serving vs 30g carbs in Chili.

Is Cashews or Chili better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Cashews gives you more calorie flexibility (130 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Chili delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Chili.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Chili

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Chili

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

Cashews

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 Cashews and Chili stack up:

Full Cashews guideFull Chili guideAll comparisons