Raw Beef vs. Whey Protein Powder

Nutrition comparison of Raw Beef and Whey Protein Powder


Ever wonder how your favorite foods stack up against each other in terms of nutrition?

We compared the nutritional contents of raw beef versus whey protein powder (100g each) below using 2020 USDA and NIH data[1].

For a quick recap of significant nutrients and differences in raw beef and whey protein powder:

  • Both raw beef and whey protein powder are high in calories, potassium and protein.
  • Whey protein powder has 3.8 times less cholesterol than raw beef.
  • Whey protein powder has more thiamin, riboflavin, Vitamin B6 and folate, however, raw beef contains more niacin and pantothenic acid.
  • Whey protein powder has signficantly less trans fat than raw beef.
  • Whey protein powder is an excellent source of calcium and dietary fiber.
Detailed nutritional comparison of raw beef and whey protein powder is analyzed below. You can also visualize the nutritional comparison for a custom portion or serving size and see how the nutrition compares.

USDA sources for nutritional information: Raw Beef (Beef, ground, 70% lean meat / 30% fat, raw) and Whey Protein Powder (Protein powder, whey based, NFS) . Have a correction or suggestions? Shoot us an email.


Calories and Carbs

calories

Both raw beef and whey protein powder are high in calories. Whey protein powder has a little more calories (6%) than raw beef by weight - raw beef has 332 calories per 100 grams and whey protein powder has 352 calories.

For macronutrient ratios, raw beef is much lighter in protein, lighter in carbs and much heavier in fat compared to whey protein powder per calorie. Raw beef has a macronutrient ratio of 18:0:82 and for whey protein powder, 89:7:4 for protein, carbohydrates and fat from calories.

Macro Ratios from Calories:

Raw Beef Whey Protein Powder
Protein 18% 89%
Carbohydrates ~ 7%
Fat 82% 4%
Alcohol ~ ~

carbohydrates

Raw beef has less carbohydrates than whey protein powder - whey protein powder has 6.3g of total carbs per 100 grams and raw beef does not contain significant amounts.

dietary fiber

Whey protein powder is an excellent source of dietary fiber and it has more dietary fiber than raw beef - whey protein powder has 3.1g of dietary fiber per 100 grams and raw beef does not contain significant amounts.

Protein

protein

Both raw beef and whey protein powder are high in protein. Whey protein powder has 444% more protein than raw beef - raw beef has 14.4g of protein per 100 grams and whey protein powder has 78.1g of protein.

Fat

saturated fat

Raw beef is high in saturated fat and whey protein powder has 93% less saturated fat than raw beef - raw beef has 11.8g of saturated fat per 100 grams and whey protein powder has 0.78g of saturated fat.

trans fat

Whey protein powder has signficantly less trans fat than raw beef - raw beef has 1.8g of trans fat per 100 grams and whey protein powder does not contain significant amounts.

cholesterol

Whey protein powder has 3.8 times less cholesterol than raw beef - raw beef has 78mg of cholesterol per 100 grams and whey protein powder has 16mg of cholesterol.

Vitamins

Vitamin A

Raw beef and whey protein powder contain similar amounts of Vitamin A - raw beef has 4ug of Vitamin A per 100 grams and whey protein powder does not contain significant amounts.

Vitamin D

Raw beef and whey protein powder contain similar amounts of Vitamin D - raw beef has 3iu of Vitamin D per 100 grams and whey protein powder does not contain significant amounts.

Vitamin E

Raw beef and whey protein powder contain similar amounts of Vitamin E - raw beef has 0.17mg of Vitamin E per 100 grams and whey protein powder does not contain significant amounts.

Vitamin K

Raw beef and whey protein powder contain similar amounts of Vitamin K - raw beef has 2.9ug of Vitamin K per 100 grams and whey protein powder does not contain significant amounts.

The B Vitamins

Whey protein powder has more thiamin, riboflavin, Vitamin B6 and folate, however, raw beef contains more niacin and pantothenic acid. Both raw beef and whey protein powder contain significant amounts of Vitamin B12.

Raw Beef Whey Protein Powder
Thiamin 0.044 MG 0.609 MG
Riboflavin 0.151 MG 2.017 MG
Niacin 3.382 MG 1.136 MG
Pantothenic acid 0.395 MG ~
Vitamin B6 0.278 MG 0.607 MG
Folate 9 UG 33 UG
Vitamin B12 2.07 UG 2.45 UG

Minerals

calcium

Whey protein powder is an excellent source of calcium and it has 18 times more calcium than raw beef - raw beef has 24mg of calcium per 100 grams and whey protein powder has 469mg of calcium.

iron

Raw beef has 45% more iron than whey protein powder - raw beef has 1.6mg of iron per 100 grams and whey protein powder has 1.1mg of iron.

potassium

Both raw beef and whey protein powder are high in potassium. Whey protein powder has 129% more potassium than raw beef - raw beef has 218mg of potassium per 100 grams and whey protein powder has 500mg of potassium.

Omega-3 and Omega-6

omega 3s

For omega-3 fatty acids, raw beef has more alpha linoleic acid (ALA) than whey protein powder per 100 grams.

Raw Beef Whey Protein Powder
alpha linoleic acid 0.084 G 0.034 G
Total 0.084 G 0.034 G

omega 6s

Comparing omega-6 fatty acids, raw beef has more linoleic acid than whey protein powder per 100 grams.

Raw Beef Whey Protein Powder
other omega 6 0.019 G ~
linoleic acid 0.577 G 0.264 G
Total 0.596 G 0.264 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 Raw Beef or Whey Protein Powder .

Note: The specific food items compared are: Raw Beef (Beef, ground, 70% lean meat / 30% fat, raw) and Whey Protein Powder (Protein powder, whey based, NFS) .

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FAQ

Does raw beef or whey protein powder contain more calories in 100 grams?
Both raw beef and whey protein powder are high in calories. Whey protein powder has a little more calories ( 10%) than raw beef by weight - raw beef has 332 calories in 100g and whey protein powder has 352 calories.

Is raw beef or whey protein powder better for protein?
Both raw beef and whey protein powder are high in protein. Whey protein powder has 440% more protein than raw beef - raw beef has 14.4g of protein per 100 grams and whey protein powder has 78.1g of protein.

Does raw beef or whey protein powder contain more calcium?
Whey protein powder is a rich source of calcium and it has 18 times more calcium than raw beef - raw beef has 24mg of calcium in 100 grams and whey protein powder has 469mg of calcium.

Does raw beef or whey protein powder contain more potassium?
Both raw beef and whey protein powder are high in potassium. Whey protein powder has 130% more potassium than raw beef - raw beef has 218mg of potassium in 100 grams and whey protein powder has 500mg of potassium.