Chana Masala vs Roti

Per 100 g, Chana Masala has 120 kcal and 6 g protein, while Roti has 180 kcal and 6.8 g protein.

Chana Masala

120
kcal per 100 g
6 g protein

Roti

180
kcal per 100 g
6.8 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 Roti Difference
Calories Fewer calories for the same weight 120 kcal better 180 kcal 33%
Protein More protein helps with fullness and muscle 6 g 6.8 g better 12%
Carbs Lower carbs suits low-carb and diabetic diets 18 g better 37.5 g 52%
Fat Lower fat means lower calorie density 3 g 1 g better 67%
Fiber More fibre improves fullness and digestion 5 g 5 g about the same
Sugar Less sugar means a gentler blood-sugar response 2 g 0.8 g better 60%
"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?

Chana Masala

Chana Masala is the lighter choice at 120 kcal per 100 g against 180 for Roti — about 33% fewer calories for the same weight on your plate. That does not make Roti a bad food; it means the portion has to be smaller to fit the same calorie budget.

Which is better for muscle gain?

Roti

Roti is the stronger protein source, with 6.8 g per 100 g against 6 g for Chana Masala. To match that from Chana Masala you would have to eat roughly 1.1 times the volume, which is usually the limiting factor when you are trying to hit a protein target. Worth noting the trade-off: Chana Masala is more efficient per calorie (5 g of protein per 100 kcal against 3.8 g), so it is the better pick if you are also holding calories down.

Chana Masala vs Roti — common questions

Roti has more calories — about 180 kcal per 100 g compared with 120 kcal for Chana Masala.

Roti has more protein — 6.8 g per 100 g against 6 g for Chana Masala.

Chana Masala is the lighter choice at 120 kcal per 100 g against 180 for Roti — about 33% fewer calories for the same weight on your plate. That does not make Roti a bad food; it means the portion has to be smaller to fit the same calorie budget.

Roti is the stronger protein source, with 6.8 g per 100 g against 6 g for Chana Masala. To match that from Chana Masala you would have to eat roughly 1.1 times the volume, which is usually the limiting factor when you are trying to hit a protein target. Worth noting the trade-off: Chana Masala is more efficient per calorie (5 g of protein per 100 kcal against 3.8 g), so it is the better pick if you are also holding calories down.

Yes. Combining them gives roughly 300 kcal and 12.8 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 Chana Masala has the edge, mainly on calorie density. Per 100 g, Chana Masala has 120 kcal and 6 g protein, while Roti has 180 kcal and 6.8 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 Roti nutrition & serving sizes

Other comparisons

Chana Masala vs Tandoori Chicken Chana Masala vs Palak Paneer Chana Masala vs Paratha Chana Masala vs Chicken Curry Chana Masala vs Egg Chana Masala vs Naan

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.