General information with sources. Never a substitute for your doctor.

MethodologyAbout the authorESEN
SaciedadSearch

Compare foods

Chicken soup vs beef soup

Chicken soup and beef soup have the same estimated satiety score: 5 out of 5. Chicken soup provides more protein per calorie: 11.3 g per 100 kcal, versus 8.3 g for beef soup.

Two soups with meat and vegetables.

Prepared by
Last updated
Sources
2 primary
Data
USDA FDC 2707135 and 2707128

No clinical review. No advertising from drug companies and no affiliate links.How we work

Key differences

  • Chicken soup provides more protein per calorie: 11.3 g per 100 kcal, versus 8.3 g for beef soup.
  • Chicken soup has fewer calories: 55 kcal per 100 g, versus 71 for beef soup, so the same calories come with more grams of food.
  • Neither provides a meaningful amount of fiber: 0.8 and 0.8 g per 100 g.

Comparison per 100 g and per serving

Values per 100 g (3.5 oz) and per typical serving. USDA descriptions: Chicken soup (caldo de pollo); Beef soup (caldo de res).
NutrientChicken soupserving: 250 g (9 oz)Beef soupserving: 250 g (9 oz)Difference
Calories55 kcal per 100 g (3.5 oz)138 kcal per serving71 kcal per 100 g (3.5 oz)178 kcal per serving+16 kcal per 100 g (3.5 oz)+40 kcal per serving
Protein6.2 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)15.6 g per serving5.9 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)14.8 g per serving−0.3 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)−0.8 g per serving
Carbohydrates4 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)10.1 g per serving4 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)10.1 g per serving0 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)0 g per serving
of which sugars1.1 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)2.8 g per serving1.1 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)2.8 g per serving0 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)0 g per serving
Fiber0.8 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)2 g per serving0.8 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)2 g per serving0 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)0 g per serving
Fat1.6 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)4 g per serving3.4 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)8.5 g per serving+1.8 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)+4.5 g per serving
of which saturated0.4 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)1.1 g per serving1.3 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)3.2 g per serving+0.9 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)+2.1 g per serving
Water87.2 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)218 g per serving85.5 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)213.7 g per serving−1.7 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)−4.3 g per serving
Protein per 100 kcal11.3 g8.3 g−3 g
Estimated satiety (1 to 5)5 / 55 / 50

In bold, the value more favorable to satiety when the gap is clear. Difference: Beef soup minus Chicken soup. Source: USDA FDC 2707135 and 2707128.

Per typical serving

With typical servings, 250 g (9 oz) of chicken soup has about 138 kcal and 15.6 g of protein, and 250 g (9 oz) of beef soup about 178 kcal and 14.8 g.

To get 20 g of protein you would need about 321 g of chicken soup (177 kcal) or about 338 g of beef soup (240 kcal).

The typical serving is a common amount used for the math, not a recommendation. Ounces are rounded US equivalents; the values come from the database entries cited in the sources.

Which is more filling?

Chicken soup and beef soup have the same estimated satiety score: 5 out of 5.

  • Chicken soup: Our rule adds points for low energy density, for protein and fiber per 100 kcal, and for water in solid foods, and subtracts points for drinks with calories.
  • Beef soup: Our rule adds points for low energy density, for protein and fiber per 100 kcal, and for water in solid foods, and subtracts points for drinks with calories.

The 1 to 5 score is our own estimate: it starts at 1 point, adds points for low energy density, for protein and fiber per 100 kcal, and for the water in solid foods, and subtracts points for drinks with calories. It is useful for comparing foods with each other; it is not a measurement in people.

When to choose each one

Chicken soup

  • If you want more protein per calorie: 11.3 g per 100 kcal.
  • If you want to eat more grams for the same calories: 55 kcal per 100 g.
  • If you prefer a lighter typical serving: about 138 kcal in 250 g (9 oz).
  • If you have nausea or fill up quickly: it carries our “Easy to digest” tag.

Beef soup

On the numbers it does not stand out from chicken soup in protein, calories, or fiber, so taste, price, or habit can decide.

On a GLP-1 medication

Chicken soup. “Easy to digest”: a soft or low-fat food that many people tolerate well when they feel nauseous or get full quickly. “Low energy density”: plenty of volume for few calories; make sure it does not push protein foods off your plate. “Hydrating”: a lot of water, which contributes to hydration when you eat and drink less.

Beef soup. “Low energy density”: plenty of volume for few calories; make sure it does not push protein foods off your plate. “Hydrating”: a lot of water, which contributes to hydration when you eat and drink less.

These are general guidelines, not medical advice: everyone tolerates foods differently.

Full food pages

  • Chicken soup: every nutrient, frequently asked questions, and similar foods.
  • Beef soup: every nutrient, frequently asked questions, and similar foods.

See all comparisons

Sources

Sources for the data on this page, with the access date.

  1. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.USDA FoodData Central (FNDDS 2021-2023): Soup, sopa or caldo de pollo (FDC ID 2707135).accessed .
  2. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.USDA FoodData Central (FNDDS 2021-2023): Soup, sopa or caldo de res (FDC ID 2707128).accessed .