Cod vs Sardines

Side-by-side macro comparison. Cod vs Sardines per their standard serving sizes.

Cod

per 100g cooked

105 cal
23g Protein
0g Carbs
0.9g Fat
Full Cod macros →
vs

Sardines

per 1 can (92g)

191 cal
23g Protein
0g Carbs
11g Fat
Full Sardines macros →

Macro Comparison Table

Macro Cod Sardines Difference
Calories 105 cal 191 cal -45% Cod
Protein 23g 23g 0% Cod
Carbs 0g 0g 0% Cod
Fat 0.9g 11g -92% Cod

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

Quick Take

Cod delivers 105 calories per serving with 23g protein, 0g carbs, and 0.9g fat. Sardines delivers 191 calories with 23g protein, 0g carbs, and 11g fat. The most meaningful difference: Cod saves 86 calories per serving — meaningful over a week of meals. Both deliver similar protein density.

When to Pick Each

For Cutting / Weight Loss

When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Cod gives you 86 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), Cod delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.

For Bulking / Muscle Gain

For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Sardines brings 191 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Sardines delivers 23g 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 Cod and Sardines are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.

Frequently Asked

Which has more protein, Cod or Sardines?

Sardines has more protein: 23g vs 23g per serving. That's a difference of 0g.

Which has fewer calories, Cod or Sardines?

Cod has 105 calories per serving vs 191 calories in Sardines — a difference of 86 calories.

Is Cod or Sardines better for keto?

Sardines is the better keto choice at 0g carbs per serving vs 0g carbs in Cod.

Is Cod or Sardines better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Cod gives you more calorie flexibility (86 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Cod delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Cod.

Which Is Better for Your Goal?

🔥 Weight Loss

Cod

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

💪 Muscle Gain

tie

Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.

🥑 Low-Carb / Keto

tie

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 Cod and Sardines stack up:

Full Cod guideFull Sardines guideAll comparisons