Chana Masala vs Rajma

Per 100 g, Chana Masala has 120 kcal and 6 g protein, while Rajma has 110 kcal and 6 g protein.

Chana Masala

120
kcal per 100 g
6 g protein

Rajma

110
kcal per 100 g
6 g protein

Nutrition compared, per 100 g

Both foods are shown per 100 g so the numbers are directly comparable. A single serving of each is a different size, so serving-for-serving figures would not tell you much.

Nutrient Chana Masala Rajma Difference
Calories Fewer calories for the same weight 120 kcal 110 kcal better 8%
Protein More protein helps with fullness and muscle 6 g 6 g about the same
Carbs Lower carbs suits low-carb and diabetic diets 18 g 16 g better 11%
Fat Lower fat means lower calorie density 3 g 2.3 g better 23%
Fiber More fibre improves fullness and digestion 5 g better 4.3 g 14%
Sugar Less sugar means a gentler blood-sugar response 2 g 1.3 g better 35%
"Better" marks the more favourable value for a general healthy-eating goal, not a judgement about the food overall. Differences under 5% are treated as equivalent.

Which is better for weight loss?

Rajma

Rajma is the lighter choice at 110 kcal per 100 g against 120 for Chana Masala — about 8% fewer calories for the same weight on your plate. That does not make Chana Masala a bad food; it means the portion has to be smaller to fit the same calorie budget.

Which is better for muscle gain?

Rajma

Both carry a similar amount of protein (6 g and 6 g per 100 g), so Rajma takes it on the calorie cost — 5.5 g of protein per 100 kcal against 5 g. You get the same protein for less of your daily budget.

Chana Masala vs Rajma — common questions

Chana Masala has more calories — about 120 kcal per 100 g compared with 110 kcal for Rajma.

They are close. Chana Masala has 6 g and Rajma has 6 g of protein per 100 g.

Rajma is the lighter choice at 110 kcal per 100 g against 120 for Chana Masala — about 8% fewer calories for the same weight on your plate. That does not make Chana Masala a bad food; it means the portion has to be smaller to fit the same calorie budget.

Both carry a similar amount of protein (6 g and 6 g per 100 g), so Rajma takes it on the calorie cost — 5.5 g of protein per 100 kcal against 5 g. You get the same protein for less of your daily budget.

Yes. Combining them gives roughly 230 kcal and 12 g protein per 100 g of each. Indian meals are usually built from pairs like this, and mixing a grain with a protein source generally makes for a better-balanced plate than either on its own.

For most everyday goals Rajma has the edge, mainly on calorie density. Per 100 g, Chana Masala has 120 kcal and 6 g protein, while Rajma has 110 kcal and 6 g protein. Healthy eating depends far more on total daily intake and portion size than on picking one of these two.
Full Chana Masala nutrition & serving sizes
Full Rajma nutrition & serving sizes

Other comparisons

Chana Masala vs Biryani Chana Masala vs Tandoori Chicken Chana Masala vs Dal Chana Masala vs Rice Chana Masala vs Egg Chana Masala vs Plain Pulao

Data source: nutrition values are drawn from the Indian Nutrient Databank (INDB), Vijayakumar et al., Curr Dev Nutr 2024;8(7):103790, used under CC BY 4.0, and derived from the ICMR-NIN Indian Food Composition Tables. Values vary with recipe, oil used and regional style.

General information only, not medical advice. See our disclaimer.