Cheese vs Edamame

Side-by-side macro comparison. Cheese vs Edamame per their standard serving sizes.

Cheese

per 1 oz (28g) cheddar

113 cal
7g Protein
0.4g Carbs
9g Fat
Full Cheese macros →
vs

Edamame

per 1 cup shelled (155g)

188 cal
18g Protein
14g Carbs
8g Fat
Full Edamame macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Cheese Edamame Difference
Calories 113 cal 188 cal -40% Cheese
Protein 7g 18g -61% Cheese
Carbs 0.4g 14g -97% Cheese
Fat 9g 8g +13% 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. Edamame delivers 188 calories with 18g protein, 14g carbs, and 8g fat. The most meaningful difference: Cheese saves 75 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. For protein density per calorie, Edamame wins at 38% of calories from protein.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Cheese gives you 75 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), Edamame delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Edamame brings 188 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Edamame 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

Cheese fits cleanly into keto with only 0.4g carbs. Edamame at 14g carbs uses significantly more of your daily 20g carb budget.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Cheese or Edamame?

Edamame has more protein: 18g vs 7g per serving. That's a difference of 11g.

Which has fewer calories, Cheese or Edamame?

Cheese has 113 calories per serving vs 188 calories in Edamame — a difference of 75 calories.

Is Cheese or Edamame better for keto?

Cheese is the better keto choice at 0.4g carbs per serving vs 14g carbs in Edamame.

Is Cheese or Edamame better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Cheese gives you more calorie flexibility (75 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Edamame delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Edamame.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Edamame

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

💪 Muscle Gain

Edamame

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

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:

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Related Comparisons

Other ways Cheese and Edamame stack up:

Full Cheese guideFull Edamame guideAll comparisons