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Lentils vs Chickpeas: calories and macros compared

Per 100 g, Lentils has 116 calories and 9 g of protein, while Chickpeas has 164 calories and 8.9 g. Lentils is the lighter choice, 48 kcal fewer per 100 g. Lentils carries more protein, 0.1 g more per 100 g.

Side by side, per 100 g

Per 100 gLentilsChickpeas
Calories116 kcal164 kcal
Protein9 g8.9 g
Carbs20.1 g27.4 g
Fat0.4 g2.6 g
Fiber7.9 g7.6 g

The verdict

Lentils wins on both: fewer calories and more protein per 100 g.

A note on the numbers

Both columns are USDA FoodData Central numbers — the same sourced data Joules logs from, rather than the crowd-sourced entries that make many trackers disagree with each other.

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Frequently asked questions

Which has fewer calories, Lentils or Chickpeas?

Per 100 g, Lentils has 116 calories and Chickpeas has 164. Lentils is lower by 48 kcal. Compare per 100 g first, then scale to your actual portion.

Which has more protein, Lentils or Chickpeas?

Per 100 g, Lentils has 9 g of protein and Chickpeas has 8.9 g. Lentils has 0.1 g more.

Is Lentils or Chickpeas better for weight loss?

Neither is off-limits. Fewer calories per 100 g gives you more room in a deficit, but portion size and the rest of your day matter more than the swap itself. Log whichever you actually eat and watch your daily total.

Where do these numbers come from?

Both foods come from USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy): FDC ID 172421 for Lentils and 173757 for Chickpeas, taken per 100 g so the comparison is like-for-like.

Full nutrition for each

More comparisons

Snap a photo of Lentils or Chickpeas in Joules and the calories and macros are logged for you — from the same USDA data.

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A note on accuracy: calculators like this one provide estimates based on population-level formulas — your real needs vary with genetics, muscle mass, medical conditions, and more. Results are for information only and are not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a prescription. Talk to a doctor or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or exercise, especially if you have a health condition, are pregnant, or are under 18.

Nutrition data: USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 172421 · FDC ID 173757 (SR Legacy), per 100 g. Both entries are compared on the same basis.