Quinoa (Cooked)vsBrown Rice (Raw)

Brown Rice (Raw) has more protein, Quinoa (Cooked) is lower in calories, while Brown Rice (Raw) has more healthy fats for satiety.

Quinoa (Cooked) has 120 calories and 4.4g protein per 100g. Brown Rice (Raw) has 367 calories and 7.5g protein per 100g Brown Rice (Raw) has more protein, Quinoa (Cooked) is lower in calories.

🎯When to Eat What

Goal-based picks for Quinoa (Cooked) vs Brown Rice (Raw)

βš–οΈWatching your weight

Go with Quinoa (Cooked) at just 120 kcal per 100g β€” 67% fewer calories.

πŸ«„Staying full longer

Quinoa (Cooked) will keep you satisfied longer with 2.8g fiber, 4.4g protein β€” fat and protein slow digestion while fiber adds bulk.

πŸ’ͺBuilding muscle

Quinoa (Cooked) packs 4.4g of protein per 100g (15% of calories from protein) β€” the better pick for muscle growth and recovery.

⚑Quick energy boost

Brown Rice (Raw) with 76.2g of carbs per 100g provides fast-acting energy β€” great before a workout.

πŸ”₯Calorie Breakdown

Quinoa (Cooked)
120kcal
Protein15%
Carbs71%
Fat14%
Brown Rice (Raw)
367kcal
Protein8%
Carbs84%
Fat8%

πŸ’ͺMacronutrient Comparison

Quinoa (Cooked)Brown Rice (Raw)
Proteinβœ“ Brown Rice (Raw)
4.4g
7.5g
Carbohydratesβœ“ Brown Rice (Raw)
21g
76g
Total Fatβœ“ Quinoa (Cooked)
1.9g
3.2g
Dietary Fiberβœ“ Brown Rice (Raw)
2.8g
3.6g

πŸ•ΈοΈNutrient Profile

Protein9% Β· 15%Fiber10% Β· 13%Vit C0% Β· 0%Iron8% Β· 7%Calcium1% Β· 1%Potassium4% Β· 5%Vit A0% Β· 0%Magnesium15% Β· 28%
Quinoa (Cooked)
Brown Rice (Raw)

Values as % of Daily Value (capped at 150%)

πŸ“ŠFull Nutrition Comparison

NutrientQuinoaRice Brown Long-grain Long Grain RawDiff
πŸ’ͺMacronutrients
Calories120kcal6%367kcal18%<0.1kcal
Protein4.4g9%7.5g15%<0.1g
Total Fat1.9g2%3.2g4%<0.1g
Saturated Fat0.23g1%0.59g3%<0.1g
Trans Fatβ€”<0.1gβ€”
Cholesterol0mg0%0mg0%β€”
Carbohydrates21g8%76g28%<0.1g
Dietary Fiber2.8g10%3.6g13%<0.1g
Sugars0.87g0.66g+0.21g
✨Vitamins
Vitamin A0mcg0%0mcg0%β€”
Vitamin C0mg0%0mg0%β€”
Vitamin D0mcg0%0mcg0%β€”
Vitamin E0.63mg4%0.60mg4%+<0.1mg
Vitamin K0mcg0%0.60mcg1%<0.1mcg
Vitamin B60.12mg7%0.48mg28%<0.1mg
Vitamin B120mcg0%0mcg0%β€”
Folate42mcg11%23mcg6%+19mcg
Thiamin (B1)0.11mg9%0.54mg45%<0.1mg
Riboflavin (B2)0.11mg8%<0.1mg7%+<0.1mg
Niacin (B3)0.41mg3%6.5mg41%<0.1mg
πŸ”ΆMinerals
Sodium7.0mg0%5.0mg0%+2.0mg
Calcium17mg1%9.0mg1%+8.0mg
Iron1.5mg8%1.3mg7%+0.20mg
Potassium172mg4%250mg5%<0.1mg
Phosphorus152mg12%311mg25%<0.1mg
Magnesium64mg15%116mg28%<0.1mg
Zinc1.1mg10%2.1mg19%<0.1mg
Copper0.19mg21%0.30mg34%<0.1mg
Manganese0.63mg27%2.9mg124%<0.1mg
Selenium2.8mcg5%17mcg31%<0.1mcg

πŸ”¬Nutritional Analysis

Calories: Quinoa (Cooked) is significantly lower in calories at just 120 kcal per 100g compared to 367 kcal for Brown Rice (Raw) β€” that's 206% fewer calories, making Quinoa (Cooked) the better choice for calorie-conscious diets.

Protein: Brown Rice (Raw) has more protein per 100g (7.54g vs 4.4g), but Quinoa (Cooked) delivers more protein per calorie β€” a more useful measure when calorie budgets matter.

Fat: Brown Rice (Raw) has more fat (3.2g vs 1.92g per 100g), but the combination of fat and protein makes it more satiating β€” dietary fat helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and supports hormone balance.

Key Vitamins: The most notable vitamin differences are in Vitamin K (Brown Rice (Raw): 0.6mcg vs 0mcg), Niacin (B3) (Brown Rice (Raw): 6.49mg vs 0.412mg), Thiamin (B1) (Brown Rice (Raw): 0.541mg vs 0.107mg). Keep in mind these are per 100g β€” the higher-calorie food packs more of everything into a denser package, so per calorie the picture may differ.

Key Minerals: Notable mineral differences include Selenium (Brown Rice (Raw): 17.1mcg vs 2.8mcg), Manganese (Brown Rice (Raw): 2.85mg vs 0.631mg), Phosphorus (Brown Rice (Raw): 311mg vs 152mg). These values are per 100g β€” per calorie, the lower-calorie option may provide comparable or better nutrition.

Diet Suitability: Quinoa (Cooked) fits a low-fat diet. Both fit a low-sodium diet.

πŸ”—Related Comparisons

❓Frequently Asked Questions

Which has more protein, Quinoa (Cooked) or Brown Rice (Raw)?
Brown Rice (Raw) has more protein with 7.54g per 100g compared to 4.4g for Quinoa (Cooked).
Which is lower in calories, Quinoa (Cooked) or Brown Rice (Raw)?
Quinoa (Cooked) is lower in calories with 120 kcal per 100g versus 367 kcal.
Is Quinoa (Cooked) or Brown Rice (Raw) healthier?
It depends on your goals. Quinoa (Cooked) has 120 calories and 4.4g protein per 100g, while Brown Rice (Raw) has 367 calories and 7.54g protein. Compare their full nutrition profiles to decide which fits your diet.
Which has less fat, Quinoa (Cooked) or Brown Rice (Raw)?
Quinoa (Cooked) is leaner with 1.92g of fat per 100g compared to 3.2g.
Which has more fiber, Quinoa (Cooked) or Brown Rice (Raw)?
Brown Rice (Raw) has more fiber with 3.6g per 100g compared to 2.8g.
Data from USDA FoodData Central. All values per 100g.