Parsnip vs Carrots: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Parsnips have 1.2 g of protein, while carrots have 0.9 g. Parsnips contain 75 calories, compared to 41 calories in carrots.

Parsnips and carrots are both popular root vegetables, often used in various dishes. They offer unique flavors and nutritional benefits, making them worthwhile to compare.

What Is the Difference Between Parsnip and Carrots?

Parsnip is a root vegetable, closely related to carrots, known for its sweet, nutty flavor. It is often used in soups, stews, and roasted dishes. Carrots are a root vegetable that is commonly orange but can also be found in other colors. They are widely consumed raw or cooked and are known for their crunchy texture.

Parsnip vs Carrots: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the nutritional content of parsnips and carrots.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Parsnip (raw)	Carrots (raw)
Calories	75 kcal	41 kcal
Protein	1.2 g	0.9 g
Carbs	18.0 g	9.6 g
Sugar	4.8 g	4.7 g
Fat	0.3 g	0.2 g
Fiber	4.9 g	2.8 g
Sodium	10 mg	69 mg

Which Is Better, Parsnip or Carrots?

For weight loss: Carrots contain fewer calories at 41 calories per 100 g, while parsnips have 75 calories.

For muscle and protein: Parsnips provide more protein at 1.2 g compared to 0.9 g in carrots.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Parsnips have 18.0 g of carbs and 4.8 g of sugar, while carrots have 9.6 g of carbs and 4.7 g of sugar.

How to Track Parsnip and Carrots Accurately

It can be easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros, especially with root vegetables like parsnips and carrots. 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, not medical advice. This information is intended to help consumers make informed dietary choices. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Parsnips have 1.2 g of protein, while carrots have 0.9 g.

Which has fewer calories?

Carrots have 41 calories, while parsnips have 75 calories.

What is the sugar content in parsnips?

Parsnips contain 4.8 g of sugar per 100 g.

How much fiber is in carrots?

Carrots have 2.8 g of fiber per 100 g.

What is the carbohydrate content of parsnips?

Parsnips contain 18.0 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

What is the sodium level in carrots?

Carrots have 69 mg of sodium per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Parsnips have 75 calories per 100 g.
• Carrots have 41 calories per 100 g.
• Parsnips contain 1.2 g of protein.
• Carrots contain 0.9 g of protein.
• Parsnips have 18.0 g of carbohydrates.
• Carrots have 9.6 g of carbohydrates.