Protein Comparisons
Two options, the same three questions: how much protein per calorie, how much leucine per serving, and does the difference actually change what you should buy. Every figure on these pages is computed from the product panel, not asserted.
6 comparisons · Protein Density (% of calories from protein) and tier computed via the same methodology used site-wide
Same protein. Very different calories.
Bar length is calories; the number on the bar is protein. Every comparison on the site collapses to this one picture.
| Matchup | Winner | Calorie saving |
|---|---|---|
| McDonald's Egg McMuffin vs Greek Yogurt | Fage Total 0% Plain Greek Yogurt | 220 kcal |
| Does Chipotle Chicken Really Have 32g of Protein? Yes — and It Beats a Protein Bar | Chipotle Chicken (single portion) | 20 kcal |
| McDouble vs Greek Yogurt | Fage Total 2% Plain Greek Yogurt | 280 kcal |
| Starbucks Protein Box vs a Protein Bar | Quest Birthday Cake Protein Bar | 270 kcal |
| Whey vs Casein Protein | Tie | — |
| Whey Isolate vs Concentrate | NOW Sports Whey Protein Isolate | 30 kcal |
Protein source vs protein source
Whey, casein, isolate, concentrate — which format actually differs, and by how much, on label-measured numbers.
Whey and casein match at 76.9% Protein Density with near-identical leucine (2.7g vs 2.5g) — the real split is digestion speed and DIAAS, not protein quality.
NOW's whey isolate hits 100% Protein Density vs 73.8% for its own concentrate — yet leucine per gram of protein is near-identical. What the premium buys.
Fast food vs a packaged snack
What a restaurant item really delivers next to the protein bar or yogurt you would otherwise grab.
An Egg McMuffin and a cup of Fage 0% deliver almost the same protein — but the McMuffin costs 3.4x the calories. The Protein Density breakdown.
Chipotle's chicken portion is 32g protein for 180 calories — a 71% Protein Density that out-scores most packaged protein bars. The honest comparison.
The McDouble is McDonald's value-protein favorite at 22g. A cup of Fage 2% matches it for 120 calories instead of 400. Protein Density compared.
The Starbucks Eggs & Cheese Protein Box is 23g protein for 470 calories. A Quest bar matches the protein at 200. The Protein Density breakdown.