Head Cheese vs Liverwurst: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Liverwurst, with 14.1 g of protein, is higher in protein compared to head cheese, which has 13.8 g. Head cheese is lower in calories at 157, while liverwurst has 326 calories.

Head cheese and liverwurst are both processed meats, each with unique flavors and textures. Understanding their nutritional differences can help in making informed dietary choices.

What Is the Difference Between Head Cheese and Liverwurst?

Head cheese is a cold cut made from the head of a pig or calf, often including gelatin and spices. It is typically served sliced and can be found in various regional recipes. Liverwurst is a type of sausage made primarily from liver, along with other meats and spices. It is known for its smooth texture and rich flavor, often spread on bread.

Head Cheese vs Liverwurst: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional values of head cheese and liverwurst.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Head cheese	Liverwurst
Calories	157 kcal	326 kcal
Protein	13.8 g	14.1 g
Carbs	0 g	2.2 g
Sugar	0 g	0 g
Fat	10.9 g	28.5 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	941 mg	860 mg

Which Is Better, Head Cheese or Liverwurst?

For weight loss: Head cheese contains fewer calories at 157, compared to liverwurst's 326 calories, making it a better choice for weight loss.

For muscle and protein: Liverwurst has a slightly higher protein content at 14.1 g, while head cheese contains 13.8 g of protein.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Both head cheese and liverwurst contain low carbohydrates, with head cheese having 0 g and liverwurst at 2.2 g, and both have 0 g of sugar.

How to Track Head cheese and Liverwurst Accurately

Portion sizes and macro content can be misleading, making it easy to overestimate or underestimate intake. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Liverwurst has more protein at 14.1 g compared to head cheese, which has 13.8 g.

Which has fewer calories?

Head cheese has fewer calories at 157, while liverwurst has 326 calories.

What is the fat content in head cheese?

Head cheese contains 10.9 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sodium level in liverwurst?

Liverwurst contains 860 mg of sodium per 100 g.

How many carbohydrates are in liverwurst?

Liverwurst contains 2.2 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

What is the sugar content in both foods?

Both head cheese and liverwurst have 0 g of sugar per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Head cheese: 157 calories per 100 g.
• Liverwurst: 326 calories per 100 g.
• Head cheese: 13.8 g of protein.
• Liverwurst: 14.1 g of protein.
• Both have 0 g of sugar.
• Head cheese has 10.9 g of fat, while liverwurst has 28.5 g.