Basil vs. Chives
Nutrition comparison of Basil and Chives
Ever wonder how your favorite foods stack up against each other in terms of nutrition?
We compared the nutritional contents of
basil
versus
chives
(100g each)
below using 2020 USDA and NIH data[1].
For a quick recap of significant nutrients and differences in basil and chives:
- Both chives and basil are high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, calcium and potassium.
- Basil is an excellent source of iron.
- Chive has more thiamin.
- Chive is a great source of dietary fiber.
USDA sources for nutritional information: Basil (Basil, fresh) and Chives (Chives, raw) . Have a correction or suggestions? Shoot us an email.
Calories and Carbs
calories
Chives and basil contain similar amounts of calories - chive has 30 calories per 100 grams and basil has 23 calories.
For macronutrient ratios, basil is heavier in protein, lighter in carbs and similar to chives for fat. Basil has a macronutrient ratio of 44:37:19 and for chives, 36:47:17 for protein, carbohydrates and fat from calories.
Macro Ratios from Calories:
| Basil | Chives | |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 44% | 36% |
| Carbohydrates | 37% | 47% |
| Fat | 19% | 17% |
| Alcohol | ~ | ~ |
carbohydrates
Both chives and basil are low in carbohydrates - chive has 4.4g of total carbs per 100 grams and basil has 2.7g of carbohydrates.
The carbs in chives are made of 57% dietary fiber and 43% sugar, whereas the carbs in basil comprise of 84% dietary fiber and 16% sugar.
dietary fiber
Chive is a great source of dietary fiber and it has 56% more dietary fiber than basil - chive has 2.5g of dietary fiber per 100 grams and basil has 1.6g of dietary fiber.
sugar
Chives and basil contain similar amounts of sugar - chive has 1.9g of sugar per 100 grams and basil has 0.3g of sugar.
Protein
protein
Chives and basil contain similar amounts of protein - chive has 3.3g of protein per 100 grams and basil has 3.2g of protein.
Fat
saturated fat
Both chives and basil are low in saturated fat - chive has 0.15g of saturated fat per 100 grams and basil has 0.04g of saturated fat.
Vitamins
Vitamin C
Both chives and basil are high in Vitamin C. Chive has 223% more Vitamin C than basil - chive has 58.1mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams and basil has 18mg of Vitamin C.
Vitamin A
Both chives and basil are high in Vitamin A. Basil has 21% more Vitamin A than chive - chive has 218ug of Vitamin A per 100 grams and basil has 264ug of Vitamin A.
Vitamin E
Chives and basil contain similar amounts of Vitamin E - chive has 0.21mg of Vitamin E per 100 grams and basil has 0.8mg of Vitamin E.
Vitamin K
Both chives and basil are high in Vitamin K. Basil has 95% more Vitamin K than chive - chive has 212.7ug of Vitamin K per 100 grams and basil has 414.8ug of Vitamin K.
The B Vitamins
Chive has more thiamin. Both basil and chives contain significant amounts of riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, Vitamin B6 and folate.
| Basil | Chives | |
|---|---|---|
| Thiamin | 0.034 MG | 0.078 MG |
| Riboflavin | 0.076 MG | 0.115 MG |
| Niacin | 0.902 MG | 0.647 MG |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.209 MG | 0.324 MG |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.155 MG | 0.138 MG |
| Folate | 68 UG | 105 UG |
Minerals
calcium
Both chives and basil are high in calcium. Basil has 92% more calcium than chive - chive has 92mg of calcium per 100 grams and basil has 177mg of calcium.
iron
Basil is an excellent source of iron and it has 98% more iron than chive - chive has 1.6mg of iron per 100 grams and basil has 3.2mg of iron.
potassium
Both chives and basil are high in potassium. Chive is very similar to basil for potassium - chive has 296mg of potassium per 100 grams and basil has 295mg of potassium.
Antioxidants and Phytonutrients
carotenoids
Carotenoids are micronutrients commonly found in plants and some animal products. An example is beta-carotene, the notable carotenoid which is a popular source of Vitamin A.[4][5]
For specific types of carotenoids, both basil and chives contain significant amounts of beta-carotene.
| Basil | Chives | |
|---|---|---|
| beta-carotene | 3142 UG | 2612 UG |
| lutein + zeaxanthin | 5650 UG | 323 UG |
Omega-3 and Omega-6
omega 3s
For omega-3 fatty acids, basil has more alpha linoleic acid (ALA) than chive per 100 grams.
| Basil | Chives | |
|---|---|---|
| alpha linoleic acid | 0.316 G | 0.015 G |
| Total | 0.316 G | 0.015 G |
omega 6s
Comparing omega-6 fatty acids, chive has more linoleic acid than basil per 100 grams.
| Basil | Chives | |
|---|---|---|
| linoleic acid | 0.073 G | 0.252 G |
| Total | 0.073 G | 0.252 G |
Customize your serving size
The comparison below is by weight, but sometimes 100g isn't that intuitive of a measurement for food. View a custom portion comparison (e.g. cups, oz, package).
You can try adding or subtracting the amount of either Basil or Chives .
Basil g
()
|
Daily Values (%) |
Chives g
()
|
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KCAL % |
|
5% | calories | 5% |
|
KCAL % | |
| G % |
|
5% | carbohydrates | 5% |
|
G % | |
| G % |
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5% | dietary fiber | 5% |
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G % | |
| G | 5% | sugar | 5% | G | |||
| G % |
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5% | total fat | 5% |
|
G % | |
| G % |
|
5% | saturated fat | 5% |
|
G % | |
| G | 5% | monounsaturated fat | 5% | G | |||
| G | 5% | polyunsaturated fat | 5% | G | |||
| G | 5% | trans fat | 5% | G | |||
| MG | 5% | cholesterol | 5% | MG | |||
| MG % |
|
5% | sodium | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| 5% | Vitamins and Minerals | 5% | |||||
| UG % |
|
5% | Vitamin A | 5% |
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UG % | |
| MG % |
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5% | Vitamin C | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| IU % |
|
5% | Vitamin D | 5% |
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IU % | |
| MG % |
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5% | calcium | 5% |
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MG % | |
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5% | iron | 5% |
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MG % | |
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5% | magnesium | 5% |
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5% | potassium | 5% |
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MG % | |
| MG % |
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5% | thiamin (Vit B1) | 5% |
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| MG % |
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5% | riboflavin (Vit B2) | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| MG % |
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5% | niacin (Vit B3) | 5% |
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MG % | |
| MG % |
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5% | Vitamin B6 | 5% |
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MG % | |
| MG % |
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5% | pantothenic acid (Vit B5) | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| UG % |
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5% | folate (Vit B9) | 5% |
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5% | Vitamin B12 | 5% |
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5% | Vitamin E | 5% |
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5% | Vitamin K | 5% |
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| G % |
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5% | protein | 5% |
|
G % | |
| UG % |
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5% | biotin (Vit B7) | 5% |
|
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5% | choline | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| MG % |
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5% | chlorine | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| UG % |
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5% | chromium | 5% |
|
UG % | |
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5% | copper | 5% |
|
MG % | |
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5% | fluoride | 5% |
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UG % | |
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5% | iodine | 5% |
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5% | manganese | 5% |
|
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5% | molybdenum | 5% |
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5% | phosphorus | 5% |
|
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5% | selenium | 5% |
|
UG % | |
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5% | zinc | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| G | 5% | Water | 5% | G | |||
| G | 5% | Starch | 5% | G | |||
| G | 5% | Alcohol | 5% | G | |||
FAQ
Does chives or basil contain more calories in 100 grams?Chives and basil contain similar amounts of calories - chive has 30 calories in 100g and basil has 23 calories.
Is chives or basil better for protein?
Chives and basil contain similar amounts of protein - chive has 3.3g of protein per 100 grams and basil has 3.2g of protein.
Does chives or basil have more carbohydrates?
By weight, both chives and basil are low in carbohydrates - chive has 4.4g of carbs for 100g and basil has 2.7g of carbohydrates. the carbs in chives are made of 60% dietary fiber and 40% sugar, whereas the carbs in basil comprise of 80% dietary fiber and 20% sugar.
Does chives or basil contain more calcium?
Both chives and basil are high in calcium. Basil has 90% more calcium than chive - chive has 92mg of calcium in 100 grams and basil has 177mg of calcium.
Does chives or basil contain more iron?
Basil is an abundant source of iron and it has 100% more iron than chive - chive has 1.6mg of iron in 100 grams and basil has 3.2mg of iron.
Does chives or basil contain more potassium?
Both chives and basil are high in potassium. Chive is very similar to basil for potassium - chive has 296mg of potassium in 100 grams and basil has 295mg of potassium.