Cheese vs Chicken Tenderloin
Side-by-side macro comparison. Cheese vs Chicken Tenderloin per their standard serving sizes.
Chicken Tenderloin
per 100g cooked
Macro Comparison Table
| Macro | Cheese | Chicken Tenderloin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 113 cal | 153 cal | -26% Cheese |
| Protein | 7g | 30g | -77% Cheese |
| Carbs | 0.4g | 0g | 0% Cheese |
| Fat | 9g | 3g | +200% Cheese |
Differences shown relative to Cheese. Positive = Cheese has more.
Quick Take
Cheese delivers 113 calories per serving with 7g protein, 0.4g carbs, and 9g fat. Chicken Tenderloin delivers 153 calories with 30g protein, 0g carbs, and 3g fat. The most meaningful difference: Cheese saves 40 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. For protein density per calorie, Chicken Tenderloin wins at 78% of calories from protein.
When to Pick Each
For Cutting / Weight Loss
When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Cheese gives you 40 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), Chicken Tenderloin delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.
For Bulking / Muscle Gain
For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Chicken Tenderloin brings 153 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Chicken Tenderloin delivers 30g 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 Cheese and Chicken Tenderloin are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.
Frequently Asked
Which has more protein, Cheese or Chicken Tenderloin?
Chicken Tenderloin has more protein: 30g vs 7g per serving. That's a difference of 23g.
Which has fewer calories, Cheese or Chicken Tenderloin?
Cheese has 113 calories per serving vs 153 calories in Chicken Tenderloin — a difference of 40 calories.
Is Cheese or Chicken Tenderloin better for keto?
Chicken Tenderloin is the better keto choice at 0g carbs per serving vs 0.4g carbs in Cheese.
Is Cheese or Chicken Tenderloin better for weight loss?
For weight loss, Cheese gives you more calorie flexibility (40 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Chicken Tenderloin delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Chicken Tenderloin.
Which Is Better for Your Goal?
🔥 Weight Loss
Chicken Tenderloin
Higher protein-to-calorie density + lower absolute fat = more satiety per calorie.
💪 Muscle Gain
Chicken Tenderloin
Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.
🥑 Low-Carb / Keto
Chicken Tenderloin
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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Other ways Cheese and Chicken Tenderloin stack up:
Full Cheese guide • Full Chicken Tenderloin guide • All comparisons