Pea Protein vs Whey Protein: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Pea protein contains 80 g of protein and 360 calories, while whey protein has 66.7 g of protein and 385 calories. Pea protein is higher in protein and lower in calories.

Pea protein and whey protein are popular protein supplements, each with unique nutritional benefits. Understanding their differences can help individuals choose the right option for their dietary needs.

What Is the Difference Between Pea Protein and Whey Protein?

Pea protein is a plant-based protein derived from yellow peas, known for its high protein content and digestibility. It is often used in vegan and vegetarian diets. Whey protein is a dairy-derived protein that is a byproduct of cheese production. It is widely recognized for its high biological value and effectiveness in muscle recovery.

Pea Protein vs Whey Protein: Nutrition Side by Side

The following comparison highlights the nutritional content of pea protein and whey protein side by side.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Pea protein powder	Whey protein powder
Calories	360 kcal	385 kcal
Protein	80 g	66.7 g
Carbs	7 g	17.9 g
Sugar	1 g	5.1 g
Fat	7 g	5.1 g
Fiber	5 g	0 g
Sodium	800 mg	385 mg

Which Is Better, Pea Protein or Whey Protein?

For weight loss: Pea protein has 360 calories, while whey protein has 385 calories, making pea protein the lower-calorie option.

For muscle and protein: Pea protein provides 80 g of protein, whereas whey protein offers 66.7 g, indicating pea protein is superior in protein content.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Pea protein contains 7 g of carbs and 1 g of sugar, while whey protein has 17.9 g of carbs and 5.1 g of sugar, making pea protein the lower-carb and lower-sugar choice.

How to Track Pea protein and Whey protein Accurately

Portion sizes and macronutrient content can be easily misjudged, affecting 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 provided are rounded reference values for educational purposes only, not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g: Pea protein from Open Food Facts (aggregated plain entries), Whey protein from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which protein has more protein?

Pea protein has 80 g of protein, while whey protein has 66.7 g of protein.

Which protein has fewer calories?

Pea protein contains 360 calories, while whey protein contains 385 calories.

What are the carbohydrate contents of both proteins?

Pea protein has 7 g of carbs, while whey protein has 17.9 g of carbs.

How much sugar is in each protein?

Pea protein contains 1 g of sugar, whereas whey protein contains 5.1 g of sugar.

What is the fat content of pea protein?

Pea protein has 7 g of fat, while whey protein has 5.1 g of fat.

What is the sodium content in both proteins?

Pea protein contains 800 mg of sodium, while whey protein contains 385 mg of sodium.

Key Takeaways

• Pea protein has 360 calories per 100 g.
• Whey protein has 385 calories per 100 g.
• Pea protein contains 80 g of protein.
• Whey protein contains 66.7 g of protein.
• Pea protein has 7 g of carbs and 1 g of sugar.
• Whey protein has 17.9 g of carbs and 5.1 g of sugar.