Idli vs Tomato Chutney

Per 100 g, Idli has 130 kcal and 4.2 g protein, while Tomato Chutney has 173 kcal and 0.7 g protein.

Idli

130
kcal per 100 g
4.2 g protein

Tomato Chutney

173
kcal per 100 g
0.7 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 Idli Tomato Chutney Difference
Calories Fewer calories for the same weight 130 kcal better 173 kcal 25%
Protein More protein helps with fullness and muscle 4.2 g better 0.7 g 83%
Carbs Lower carbs suits low-carb and diabetic diets 24 g better 32 g 25%
Fat Lower fat means lower calorie density 1 g better 6 g 83%
Fiber More fibre improves fullness and digestion 1.2 g 1.3 g better 8%
Sugar Less sugar means a gentler blood-sugar response 0.8 g better 30 g 97%
"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?

Idli

Idli is the lighter choice at 130 kcal per 100 g against 173 for Tomato Chutney — about 25% fewer calories for the same weight on your plate. That does not make Tomato Chutney a bad food; it means the portion has to be smaller to fit the same calorie budget.

Which is better for muscle gain?

Idli

Idli is the stronger protein source, with 4.2 g per 100 g against 0.7 g for Tomato Chutney. To match that from Tomato Chutney you would have to eat roughly 6 times the volume, which is usually the limiting factor when you are trying to hit a protein target.

Idli vs Tomato Chutney — common questions

Tomato Chutney has more calories — about 173 kcal per 100 g compared with 130 kcal for Idli.

Idli has more protein — 4.2 g per 100 g against 0.7 g for Tomato Chutney.

Idli is the lighter choice at 130 kcal per 100 g against 173 for Tomato Chutney — about 25% fewer calories for the same weight on your plate. That does not make Tomato Chutney a bad food; it means the portion has to be smaller to fit the same calorie budget.

Idli is the stronger protein source, with 4.2 g per 100 g against 0.7 g for Tomato Chutney. To match that from Tomato Chutney you would have to eat roughly 6 times the volume, which is usually the limiting factor when you are trying to hit a protein target.

Yes. Combining them gives roughly 303 kcal and 4.9 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 Idli has the edge, mainly on calorie density. Per 100 g, Idli has 130 kcal and 4.2 g protein, while Tomato Chutney has 173 kcal and 0.7 g protein. Healthy eating depends far more on total daily intake and portion size than on picking one of these two.
Full Idli nutrition & serving sizes
Full Tomato Chutney nutrition & serving sizes

Other comparisons

Idli vs Masala Dosa Idli vs Dosa Idli vs Sambar Idli vs Coconut Chutney Idli vs Rava Idli

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.