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

Whey protein contains 66.7 g of protein and 385 calories, while casein protein has 80 g of protein and 360 calories. Casein protein is higher in protein and lower in calories.

Whey protein and casein protein are two popular types of protein supplements, each with unique properties. This comparison examines their nutritional profiles to help you make an informed choice.

What Is the Difference Between Whey Protein and Casein Protein?

Whey protein is a fast-digesting protein derived from milk during the cheese-making process. It is commonly used to support muscle recovery and growth. Casein protein is a slow-digesting protein also derived from milk. It provides a sustained release of amino acids, making it ideal for overnight recovery.

Whey Protein vs Casein Protein: Nutrition Side by Side

The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of whey protein and casein protein.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Whey protein powder	Casein protein powder
Calories	385 kcal	360 kcal
Protein	66.7 g	80 g
Carbs	17.9 g	8 g
Sugar	5.1 g	2 g
Fat	5.1 g	1.5 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	385 mg	300 mg

Which Is Better, Whey Protein or Casein Protein?

For weight loss: Whey protein has 385 calories, while casein protein has 360 calories, making casein protein the lower-calorie option.

For muscle and protein: Casein protein has 80 g of protein compared to whey protein's 66.7 g, making casein protein higher in protein content.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Whey protein contains 17.9 g of carbs and 5.1 g of sugar, while casein protein has 8 g of carbs and 2 g of sugar, making casein protein lower in both.

How to Track Whey protein and Casein protein Accurately

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How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and are not intended as medical advice. This comparison is based on verified data per 100 grams. Values are per 100 g: Whey protein from USDA FoodData Central, Casein protein from Open Food Facts (aggregated plain entries).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

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

Which has fewer calories?

Casein protein has 360 calories, while whey protein has 385 calories.

What are the carbohydrate contents?

Whey protein contains 17.9 g of carbs, while casein protein contains 8 g of carbs.

How much sugar is in each protein?

Whey protein has 5.1 g of sugar, while casein protein has 2 g of sugar.

What is the fat content in whey and casein protein?

Whey protein contains 5.1 g of fat, while casein protein contains 1.5 g of fat.

What is the sodium content in each protein?

Whey protein has 385 mg of sodium, while casein protein has 300 mg of sodium.

Key Takeaways

• Whey protein has 385 calories per 100 g.
• Casein protein has 360 calories per 100 g.
• Whey protein contains 66.7 g of protein.
• Casein protein contains 80 g of protein.
• Whey protein has 17.9 g of carbs and 5.1 g of sugar.
• Casein protein has 8 g of carbs and 2 g of sugar.