Turnip vs White Potato: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Turnip has 28 calories and 0.9 g of protein, while white potato has 93 calories and 2.0 g of protein. Therefore, turnip is lower in calories and white potato is higher in protein.

Turnips and white potatoes are both popular root vegetables, each with distinct nutritional profiles. This comparison will help you understand their calorie and nutrient differences per 100 grams.

What Is the Difference Between Turnip and White Potato?

Turnip is a root vegetable that belongs to the Brassica family, known for its slightly peppery flavor. It is often used in soups, stews, and salads. White potato is a starchy tuber that is a staple food in many cultures, valued for its versatility and ability to be prepared in various ways. It is commonly baked, mashed, or fried.

Turnip vs White Potato: Nutrition Side by Side

The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of turnip and white potato based on their nutritional content.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Turnip (raw)	Potato (baked, flesh)
Calories	28 kcal	93 kcal
Protein	0.9 g	2.0 g
Carbs	6.4 g	21.6 g
Sugar	3.8 g	1.7 g
Fat	0.1 g	0.1 g
Fiber	1.8 g	1.5 g
Sodium	67 mg	5 mg

Which Is Better, Turnip or White Potato?

For weight loss: Turnip has 28 calories, significantly lower than the 93 calories in white potato, making it a better choice for weight loss.

For muscle and protein: White potato provides 2.0 g of protein, which is higher than the 0.9 g found in turnip, making it a better option for muscle building.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Turnip has 6.4 g of carbs and 3.8 g of sugar, while white potato has 21.6 g of carbs and 1.7 g of sugar, making turnip a lower-carb and lower-sugar choice.

How to Track Turnip and White potato Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros, especially with root vegetables, which can vary in size and preparation method. 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 healthcare professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

White potato has 2.0 g of protein, while turnip has 0.9 g of protein.

Which has fewer calories?

Turnip has 28 calories, whereas white potato has 93 calories.

What is the carbohydrate content of turnip?

Turnip contains 6.4 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

What is the sugar content of white potato?

White potato contains 1.7 g of sugar per 100 g.

How much fiber is in turnip?

Turnip has 1.8 g of fiber per 100 g.

What is the sodium content of white potato?

White potato has 5 mg of sodium per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Turnip has 28 calories per 100 g.
• White potato has 93 calories per 100 g.
• Turnip contains 0.9 g of protein.
• White potato contains 2.0 g of protein.
• Turnip has 6.4 g of carbohydrates.
• White potato has 21.6 g of carbohydrates.