Yellow Squash vs Zucchini: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Yellow squash, 1.3 g, is higher in protein than zucchini, 1.2 g. Zucchini, 17 calories, is lower in calories than yellow squash, 25 calories.

Yellow squash and zucchini are both popular summer squashes that are often used in a variety of dishes. While they may look similar, their nutritional profiles vary in several key areas.

What Is the Difference Between Yellow Squash and Zucchini?

Yellow squash is a type of summer squash that is typically yellow in color and has a mild flavor. It is commonly used in cooking and can be eaten raw or cooked. Zucchini is another variety of summer squash, usually green, with a slightly firmer texture. It is versatile in cooking and can be used in both savory and sweet dishes.

Yellow Squash vs Zucchini: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of yellow squash and zucchini to highlight their nutritional differences.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Yellow squash	Zucchini (raw)
Calories	25 kcal	17 kcal
Protein	1.3 g	1.2 g
Carbs	5.5 g	3.1 g
Sugar	2.3 g	2.5 g
Fat	0.2 g	0.3 g
Fiber	1.4 g	1 g
Sodium	242 mg	8 mg

Which Is Better, Yellow Squash or Zucchini?

For weight loss: Zucchini has 17 calories, which is 8 calories less than yellow squash at 25 calories, making it a better option for weight loss.

For muscle and protein: Yellow squash contains 1.3 g of protein, which is slightly more than zucchini's 1.2 g, making it a better choice for protein intake.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Yellow squash has 5.5 g of carbs and 2.3 g of sugar, while zucchini has 3.1 g of carbs and 2.5 g of sugar, making zucchini lower in both categories.

How to Track Yellow squash and Zucchini Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros when preparing these vegetables, which can affect overall nutritional intake. 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 only, and not intended as medical advice. Always consider individual dietary needs and consult a professional if necessary. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein, yellow squash or zucchini?

Yellow squash has 1.3 g of protein, while zucchini has 1.2 g of protein.

Which has fewer calories, yellow squash or zucchini?

Zucchini has 17 calories, whereas yellow squash has 25 calories.

What is the carbohydrate content of yellow squash?

Yellow squash contains 5.5 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

What is the sugar content in zucchini?

Zucchini has 2.5 g of sugar per 100 g.

How much fiber does yellow squash contain?

Yellow squash contains 1.4 g of fiber per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in zucchini?

Zucchini has 8 mg of sodium per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Yellow squash has 25 calories per 100 g.
• Zucchini has 17 calories per 100 g.
• Yellow squash contains 1.3 g of protein.
• Zucchini contains 1.2 g of protein.
• Yellow squash has 5.5 g of carbohydrates.
• Zucchini has 3.1 g of carbohydrates.