Broccoli vs Spinach

Side-by-side nutrition comparison per serving. See which fits your goals better.

People treat these like interchangeable 'healthy greens' but they play very different roles on your plate. Spinach is the calorie miser at 23 calories per 100g with a surprising 2.86g of protein — actually more protein per calorie than broccoli. It wilts down to almost nothing when cooked, which means you can pack a massive amount of nutrition into a small space (great for smoothies, omelets, pasta dishes).

Broccoli at 31 calories holds its structure better and brings more fiber (2.4g vs 2.2g) plus substantially more vitamin C. It also keeps you feeling fuller because you're actually chewing it — there's real satiety research showing that food you have to chew satisfies more than food you can just swallow. The iron in spinach gets all the Popeye hype, but it's non-heme iron with lower absorption. Pair it with vitamin C (like lemon juice) to actually get the benefit.

Pro tip

Add a giant handful of raw spinach to whatever you're cooking right at the end — stir-fries, soups, scrambled eggs. It wilts in 30 seconds and you barely taste it. Easiest way to add a full serving of greens to any meal without changing the recipe.

Quick Verdict

Best for weight loss

Spinach

Best for muscle gain

Spinach

Best for low-carb

Spinach

Macro Comparison

Broccoli: 100g (100g)  |  Spinach: 100g (100g)

CaloriesLower is better for weight loss

31

Broccoli

vs

23

Spinach

ProteinHigher supports muscle growth

2.57g

Broccoli

vs

2.86g

Spinach

CarbsLower for low-carb diets

6.27g

Broccoli

vs

3.63g

Spinach

FatLower for calorie control

0.34g

Broccoli

vs

0.39g

Spinach

Protein Efficiency

What percentage of calories come from protein — higher is better for staying lean.

33%

Broccoli

50%

Spinach

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Per 100g Comparison

NutrientBroccoliSpinach
Calories3123
Protein2.6g2.9g
Carbs6.3g3.6g
Fat0.3g0.4g
Fiber2.4g2.2g
Sugar0.42g
Sodium36mg79mg
Cholesterol0mg
Saturated Fat0.04g0.06g
Potassium303mg558mg
Vitamin A8mcg469mcg
Vitamin C91.3mg28.1mg
Calcium46mg99mg
Iron0.69mg2.71mg

Which Should You Choose?

For weight loss

Choose Spinach. With 23 calories and 2.86g protein, it gives you more protein per calorie — keeping you full while cutting calories.

For muscle gain

Choose Spinach. Spinach delivers 2.86g protein per serving — 0.3g more than Broccoli.

For low-carb diets

Choose Spinach with 3.63g carbs per serving.

Getting enough micronutrients matters just as much as hitting your protein target, especially for sustained energy throughout the day. Logging your veggie intake with Sunn reveals patterns — most people eat far fewer greens than they think.

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Common Questions

Is Broccoli or Spinach better for weight loss?

For weight loss, Spinach is the better choice. Broccoli has 31 calories and 2.57g protein per serving, while Spinach has 23 calories and 2.86g protein. Lower calories with higher protein helps you stay full while eating fewer calories.

Which has more protein, Broccoli or Spinach?

Spinach has more protein per serving. Broccoli provides 2.57g and Spinach provides 2.86g of protein.

Can I eat both broccoli and spinach together?

Yes! Combining broccoli and spinach gives you 54 calories and 5.43g protein. This combination can work well as part of a balanced meal.

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