Paratha vs Rice

Per 100 g, Paratha has 300 kcal and 6.7 g protein, while Rice has 120 kcal and 2.3 g protein.

Paratha

300
kcal per 100 g
6.7 g protein

Rice

120
kcal per 100 g
2.3 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 Paratha Rice Difference
Calories Fewer calories for the same weight 300 kcal 120 kcal better 60%
Protein More protein helps with fullness and muscle 6.7 g better 2.3 g 66%
Carbs Lower carbs suits low-carb and diabetic diets 36.7 g 26.7 g better 27%
Fat Lower fat means lower calorie density 14.2 g 0.3 g better 98%
Fiber More fibre improves fullness and digestion 2.5 g better 0.4 g 84%
Sugar Less sugar means a gentler blood-sugar response 0.8 g 0.1 g better 88%
"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?

Rice

Rice is the lighter choice at 120 kcal per 100 g against 300 for Paratha — about 60% fewer calories for the same weight on your plate. That does not make Paratha a bad food; it means the portion has to be smaller to fit the same calorie budget.

Which is better for muscle gain?

Paratha

Paratha is the stronger protein source, with 6.7 g per 100 g against 2.3 g for Rice. To match that from Rice you would have to eat roughly 2.9 times the volume, which is usually the limiting factor when you are trying to hit a protein target.

Paratha vs Rice — common questions

Paratha has more calories — about 300 kcal per 100 g compared with 120 kcal for Rice.

Paratha has more protein — 6.7 g per 100 g against 2.3 g for Rice.

Rice is the lighter choice at 120 kcal per 100 g against 300 for Paratha — about 60% fewer calories for the same weight on your plate. That does not make Paratha a bad food; it means the portion has to be smaller to fit the same calorie budget.

Paratha is the stronger protein source, with 6.7 g per 100 g against 2.3 g for Rice. To match that from Rice you would have to eat roughly 2.9 times the volume, which is usually the limiting factor when you are trying to hit a protein target.

Yes. Combining them gives roughly 420 kcal and 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 Rice has the edge, mainly on calorie density. Per 100 g, Paratha has 300 kcal and 6.7 g protein, while Rice has 120 kcal and 2.3 g protein. Healthy eating depends far more on total daily intake and portion size than on picking one of these two.
Full Paratha nutrition & serving sizes
Full Rice nutrition & serving sizes

Other comparisons

Paratha vs Biryani Paratha vs Palak Paneer Paratha vs Rajma Paratha vs Roti Paratha vs Dal Paratha vs Chicken Curry

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.