Rice Noodles vs Pasta: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Rice noodles contain 1.8 g of protein and 108 calories, while pasta has 5.8 g of protein and 157 calories. Pasta is higher in protein and calories.

Rice noodles and pasta are popular carbohydrate sources with distinct nutritional profiles. Understanding their differences can help in making informed dietary choices.

What Is the Difference Between Rice Noodles and Pasta?

Rice noodles are thin noodles made from rice flour and water, commonly used in Asian cuisine. They are gluten-free and often served in soups or stir-fries. Pasta is a staple food made from durum wheat and water, shaped into various forms. It is a versatile ingredient in many Italian dishes.

Rice Noodles vs Pasta: Nutrition Side by Side

The following comparison highlights the nutritional values of rice noodles and pasta side by side.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Rice noodles (cooked)	Pasta (cooked)
Calories	108 kcal	157 kcal
Protein	1.8 g	5.8 g
Carbs	24.0 g	30.9 g
Sugar	0.0 g	0.6 g
Fat	0.2 g	0.9 g
Fiber	1 g	1.8 g
Sodium	19 mg	131 mg

Which Is Better, Rice Noodles or Pasta?

For weight loss: Rice noodles have 108 calories, while pasta contains 157 calories, making rice noodles a lower-calorie option.

For muscle and protein: Pasta has 5.8 g of protein compared to 1.8 g in rice noodles, making pasta a better choice for protein intake.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Rice noodles have 24.0 g of carbs and 0.0 g of sugar, while pasta has 30.9 g of carbs and 0.6 g of sugar.

How to Track Rice noodles and Pasta Accurately

Portion sizes and macronutrient content can often be misjudged, leading to inaccurate dietary assessments. 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 are not intended as medical advice. Always consult a professional for personalized dietary recommendations. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Pasta has 5.8 g of protein, while rice noodles contain 1.8 g of protein.

Which has fewer calories?

Rice noodles have 108 calories, while pasta has 157 calories.

What is the carbohydrate content in rice noodles?

Rice noodles contain 24.0 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

How much sugar is in pasta?

Pasta contains 0.6 g of sugar per 100 g.

What is the fiber content in pasta?

Pasta has 1.8 g of fiber per 100 g.

How much sodium is in rice noodles?

Rice noodles contain 19 mg of sodium per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Rice noodles: 108 calories per 100 g.
• Pasta: 157 calories per 100 g.
• Rice noodles: 1.8 g protein per 100 g.
• Pasta: 5.8 g protein per 100 g.
• Rice noodles: 24.0 g carbs per 100 g.
• Pasta: 30.9 g carbs per 100 g.