Meatballs vs Meatloaf: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Meatballs have 286 calories and 14.4 g of protein, while meatloaf has 213 calories and 16.5 g of protein. Meatloaf is lower in calories and higher in protein.

Meatballs and meatloaf are both popular meat dishes, often enjoyed in various cuisines. This comparison highlights their nutritional profiles, focusing on calories, protein, and other key nutrients.

What Is the Difference Between Meatballs and Meatloaf?

Meatballs are small, round portions of ground meat mixed with other ingredients, typically served in sauces or as part of a dish. They are often made from beef, pork, or poultry. Meatloaf is a dish made from ground meat, typically formed into a loaf shape and baked. It often includes breadcrumbs, eggs, and seasonings.

Meatballs vs Meatloaf: Nutrition Side by Side

The following section presents a side-by-side comparison of meatballs and meatloaf.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Meatballs	Beef meatloaf
Calories	286 kcal	213 kcal
Protein	14.4 g	16.5 g
Carbs	8.1 g	8.5 g
Sugar	3.5 g	2.5 g
Fat	22.2 g	12.5 g
Fiber	2.3 g	0.8 g
Sodium	666 mg	400 mg

Which Is Better, Meatballs or Meatloaf?

For weight loss: Meatballs contain 286 calories per 100 g, while meatloaf has 213 calories. Meatloaf is the better option for those aiming to reduce calorie intake.

For muscle and protein: Meatloaf provides 16.5 g of protein per 100 g, compared to 14.4 g in meatballs. Therefore, meatloaf is higher in protein.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Meatballs have 8.1 g of carbs and 3.5 g of sugar, while meatloaf contains 8.5 g of carbs and 2.5 g of sugar. Meatloaf has slightly lower sugar content.

How to Track Meatballs and Meatloaf Accurately

Portion sizes and macronutrient content can often be misjudged, impacting dietary choices. 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 presented are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a professional for personalized dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g: Meatballs from USDA FoodData Central, Meatloaf from Open Food Facts (aggregated plain entries).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Meatloaf has 16.5 g of protein, while meatballs have 14.4 g of protein. Therefore, meatloaf has more protein.

Which has fewer calories?

Meatloaf has 213 calories, while meatballs have 286 calories. Thus, meatloaf has fewer calories.

What is the fat content in meatballs?

Meatballs contain 22.2 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sugar content in meatloaf?

Meatloaf has 2.5 g of sugar per 100 g.

How much sodium is in meatballs?

Meatballs contain 666 mg of sodium per 100 g.

What is the fiber content in meatloaf?

Meatloaf has 0.8 g of fiber per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Meatballs have 286 calories per 100 g.
• Meatloaf has 213 calories per 100 g.
• Meatballs provide 14.4 g of protein.
• Meatloaf provides 16.5 g of protein.
• Meatballs contain 22.2 g of fat.
• Meatloaf contains 12.5 g of fat.