USDA FoodData Head-to-Head Comparison

Cooked Quinoa vs Cooked Red/Brown Lentils

Compare the complete macronutrient and micronutrient profiles of Cooked Quinoa and Cooked Red/Brown Lentils per 100g standard serving to see which best fits your protein and dietary goals.

Cooked Quinoa

Whole Grains

120

Calories / 100g

4.4g

Protein / 100g

Default Serving: 1 cup (185g)

Cooked Red/Brown Lentils

Legumes

116

Calories / 100g

9g

Protein / 100g

Default Serving: 1 cup (198g)

Category Winners at a Glance

💪 Highest Protein

Cooked Red/Brown Lentils

9g protein per 100g

🌾 Highest Fiber

Cooked Red/Brown Lentils

7.9g fiber per 100g

🦴 Highest Calcium

Cooked Red/Brown Lentils

19 mg calcium

Nutritional Breakdown Comparison (per 100g)

USDA Standard
Nutrient (per 100g)Cooked QuinoaCooked Red/Brown LentilsDifference
Calories120 kcal116 kcal4 kcal
Protein4.4g9g4.6g
Total Carbohydrates21.3g20.1g1.2g
Dietary Fiber2.8g7.9g5.1g
Total Fat1.9g0.4g1.5g
Iron (Non-Heme)1.5 mg3.3 mg1.8 mg
Calcium17 mg19 mg2 mg
Plant Omega-3 (ALA)0.1 g0.1 g0 g

Culinary Applications & Kitchen Usage

Cooking with Cooked Quinoa:

Cooked Quinoa is versatile in savory and sweet cooking. In whole food plant-based diets, it is commonly used in stir-fries, bowls, grain dishes, or baking.

Cooking with Cooked Red/Brown Lentils:

Cooked Red/Brown Lentils pairs exceptionally well in curries, salads, wraps, and grain salads. Its natural nutrient density makes it an ideal staple for high-protein meal prep.

Analyze in Nutrition Calculator

Want to calculate exact macro totals for custom portion sizes of Cooked Quinoa and Cooked Red/Brown Lentils? Open our live Nutrition Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has more protein: Cooked Quinoa or Cooked Red/Brown Lentils?
Cooked Red/Brown Lentils contains more protein per 100g (9g vs 4.4g). Both are exceptional plant-based protein sources.
Which is better for weight loss: Cooked Quinoa or Cooked Red/Brown Lentils?
Cooked Red/Brown Lentils provides a lower calorie density (116 kcal per 100g vs 120 kcal), making it advantageous for calorie-controlled fat loss phases.
Where do these nutrition values come from?
All nutritional values are verified from the USDA FoodData Central reference database (USDA FoodData Central #168917 and USDA FoodData Central #172421).