Thyme vs. Parsley
Nutrition comparison of Thyme and Parsley
Ever wonder how your favorite foods stack up against each other in terms of nutrition?
We compared the nutritional contents of
thyme
versus
parsley
(100g each)
below using 2020 USDA and NIH data[1].
For a quick recap of significant nutrients and differences in thyme and parsley:
- Both parsley and thyme are high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, dietary fiber, iron and potassium.
- Parsley has 74% less carbohydrates than thyme.
- Parsley is an excellent source of Vitamin K.
- Thyme has more riboflavin and Vitamin B6, however, parsley contains more folate.
USDA sources for nutritional information: Thyme (Thyme, fresh) and Parsley (Parsley, fresh) . Have a correction or suggestions? Shoot us an email.
Calories and Carbs
calories
Thyme is high in calories and parsley has 64% less calories than thyme - parsley has 36 calories per 100 grams and thyme has 101 calories.
For macronutrient ratios, thyme is much lighter in protein, much heavier in carbs and lighter in fat compared to parsley per calorie. Thyme has a macronutrient ratio of 0:100:0 and for parsley, 27:57:17 for protein, carbohydrates and fat from calories.
Macro Ratios from Calories:
| Thyme | Parsley | |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | ~ | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 100% | 57% |
| Fat | ~ | 17% |
| Alcohol | ~ | ~ |
carbohydrates
Parsley has 74% less carbohydrates than thyme - parsley has 6.3g of total carbs per 100 grams and thyme has 24.5g of carbohydrates.
dietary fiber
Both parsley and thyme are high in dietary fiber. Thyme has 324% more dietary fiber than parsley - parsley has 3.3g of dietary fiber per 100 grams and thyme has 14g of dietary fiber.
sugar
Parsley and thyme contain similar amounts of sugar - parsley has 0.85g of sugar per 100 grams and thyme does not contain significant amounts.
Protein
protein
Thyme has 87% more protein than parsley - parsley has 3g of protein per 100 grams and thyme has 5.6g of protein.
Fat
saturated fat
Both parsley and thyme are low in saturated fat - parsley has 0.13g of saturated fat per 100 grams and thyme has 0.47g of saturated fat.
Vitamins
Vitamin C
Both parsley and thyme are high in Vitamin C. Thyme has 20% more Vitamin C than parsley - parsley has 133mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams and thyme has 160.1mg of Vitamin C.
Vitamin A
Both parsley and thyme are high in Vitamin A. Parsley has 77% more Vitamin A than thyme - parsley has 421ug of Vitamin A per 100 grams and thyme has 238ug of Vitamin A.
Vitamin E
Parsley has more Vitamin E than thyme - parsley has 0.75mg of Vitamin E per 100 grams and thyme does not contain significant amounts.
Vitamin K
Parsley is an excellent source of Vitamin K and it has more Vitamin K than thyme - parsley has 1640ug of Vitamin K per 100 grams and thyme does not contain significant amounts.
The B Vitamins
Thyme has more riboflavin and Vitamin B6, however, parsley contains more folate. Both thyme and parsley contain significant amounts of thiamin, niacin and pantothenic acid.
| Thyme | Parsley | |
|---|---|---|
| Thiamin | 0.048 MG | 0.086 MG |
| Riboflavin | 0.471 MG | 0.098 MG |
| Niacin | 1.824 MG | 1.313 MG |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.409 MG | 0.4 MG |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.348 MG | 0.09 MG |
| Folate | 45 UG | 152 UG |
Minerals
calcium
Both parsley and thyme are high in calcium. Thyme has 193% more calcium than parsley - parsley has 138mg of calcium per 100 grams and thyme has 405mg of calcium.
iron
Both parsley and thyme are high in iron. Thyme has 181% more iron than parsley - parsley has 6.2mg of iron per 100 grams and thyme has 17.5mg of iron.
potassium
Both parsley and thyme are high in potassium. Thyme has a little more potassium (10%) than parsley by weight - parsley has 554mg of potassium per 100 grams and thyme has 609mg of potassium.
Antioxidants and Phytonutrients
flavonoids
Naturally occuring in fruits and vegetables, flavonoids are associated with many health benefits and used in a variety of medicinal and pharmaceutical applications. [2][3]
For specific flavonoid compounds, parsley has more apigenin, kaempferol, myricetin and quercetin than thyme per 100 grams, however, thyme contains more luteolin than parsley per 100 grams.
| Thyme | Parsley | |
|---|---|---|
| apigenin | 2.5 mg | 215.46 mg |
| luteolin | 45.25 mg | 1.09 mg |
| kaempferol | ~ | 1.49 mg |
| myricetin | ~ | 14.84 mg |
| Quercetin | ~ | 0.28 mg |
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 thyme and parsley contain significant amounts of beta-carotene.
| Thyme | Parsley | |
|---|---|---|
| beta-carotene | 2851 UG | 5054 UG |
| lutein + zeaxanthin | ~ | 5561 UG |
Omega-3 and Omega-6
omega 3s
For omega-3 fatty acids, thyme has more alpha linoleic acid (ALA) than parsley per 100 grams.
| Thyme | Parsley | |
|---|---|---|
| alpha linoleic acid | 0.447 G | 0.008 G |
| Total | 0.447 G | 0.008 G |
omega 6s
Comparing omega-6 fatty acids, both thyme and parsley contain significant amounts of linoleic acid.
| Thyme | Parsley | |
|---|---|---|
| linoleic acid | 0.085 G | 0.115 G |
| Total | 0.085 G | 0.115 G |
Customize your serving size
The comparison below is by common portions, e.g. cups, packages. You can also see a more concrete comparison by weight at equal weight (by grams) comparison.
Thyme g
()
|
Daily Values (%) |
Parsley g
()
|
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KCAL % |
|
5% | calories | 5% |
|
KCAL % | |
| G % |
|
5% | carbohydrates | 5% |
|
G % | |
| G % |
|
5% | dietary fiber | 5% |
|
G % | |
| G | 5% | sugar | 5% | G | |||
| G % |
|
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% |
|
UG % | |
| MG % |
|
5% | Vitamin C | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| IU % |
|
5% | Vitamin D | 5% |
|
IU % | |
| MG % |
|
5% | calcium | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| MG % |
|
5% | iron | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| MG % |
|
5% | magnesium | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| MG % |
|
5% | potassium | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| MG % |
|
5% | thiamin (Vit B1) | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| MG % |
|
5% | riboflavin (Vit B2) | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| MG % |
|
5% | niacin (Vit B3) | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| MG % |
|
5% | Vitamin B6 | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| MG % |
|
5% | pantothenic acid (Vit B5) | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| UG % |
|
5% | folate (Vit B9) | 5% |
|
UG % | |
| UG % |
|
5% | Vitamin B12 | 5% |
|
UG % | |
| MG % |
|
5% | Vitamin E | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| UG % |
|
5% | Vitamin K | 5% |
|
UG % | |
| G % |
|
5% | protein | 5% |
|
G % | |
| UG % |
|
5% | biotin (Vit B7) | 5% |
|
UG % | |
| MG % |
|
5% | choline | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| MG % |
|
5% | chlorine | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| UG % |
|
5% | chromium | 5% |
|
UG % | |
| MG % |
|
5% | copper | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| UG % |
|
5% | fluoride | 5% |
|
UG % | |
| UG % |
|
5% | iodine | 5% |
|
UG % | |
| MG % |
|
5% | manganese | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| UG % |
|
5% | molybdenum | 5% |
|
UG % | |
| MG % |
|
5% | phosphorus | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| UG % |
|
5% | selenium | 5% |
|
UG % | |
| MG % |
|
5% | zinc | 5% |
|
MG % | |
| G | 5% | Water | 5% | G | |||
| G | 5% | Starch | 5% | G | |||
| G | 5% | Alcohol | 5% | G | |||
FAQ
Does parsley or thyme contain more calories in 100 grams?Thyme is high in calories and parsley has 60% less calories than thyme - parsley has 36 calories in 100g and thyme has 101 calories.
Does parsley or thyme have more carbohydrates?
By weight, parsley has 70% fewer carbohydrates than thyme - parsley has 6.3g of carbs for 100g and thyme has 24.5g of carbohydrates.
Does parsley or thyme contain more calcium?
Both parsley and thyme are high in calcium. Thyme has 190% more calcium than parsley - parsley has 138mg of calcium in 100 grams and thyme has 405mg of calcium.
Does parsley or thyme contain more iron?
Both parsley and thyme are high in iron. Thyme has 180% more iron than parsley - parsley has 6.2mg of iron in 100 grams and thyme has 17.5mg of iron.
Does parsley or thyme contain more potassium?
Both parsley and thyme are high in potassium. Thyme has a little more potassium ( 10%) than parsley by weight - parsley has 554mg of potassium in 100 grams and thyme has 609mg of potassium.