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Last updated
Sources
2 primary
Data
USDA FDC 175194 and 173735

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Key differences

  • They provide similar protein per calorie: 6.8 g per 100 kcal for kidney beans and 6.7 g for black beans.
  • Their energy density is similar: 127 kcal per 100 g for kidney beans and 132 for black beans.
  • They have similar fiber: 7.4 g per 100 g for kidney beans and 8.7 g for black beans.

Comparison per 100 g and per serving

Values per 100 g (3.5 oz) and per typical serving. USDA descriptions: Red kidney beans, cooked, boiled, without salt; Black beans, cooked.
NutrientKidney beansserving: 150 g (5.5 oz)Black beansserving: 150 g (5.5 oz)Difference
Calories127 kcal per 100 g (3.5 oz)191 kcal per serving132 kcal per 100 g (3.5 oz)198 kcal per serving+5 kcal per 100 g (3.5 oz)+8 kcal per serving
Protein8.7 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)13 g per serving8.9 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)13.3 g per serving+0.2 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)+0.3 g per serving
Carbohydrates22.8 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)34.2 g per serving23.7 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)35.6 g per serving+0.9 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)+1.3 g per serving
of which sugars0.3 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)0.5 g per serving0.3 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)0.5 g per serving0 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)0 g per serving
Fiber7.4 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)11.1 g per serving8.7 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)13.1 g per serving+1.3 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)+2 g per serving
Fat0.5 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)0.8 g per serving0.5 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)0.8 g per serving0 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)+0.1 g per serving
of which saturated0.1 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)0.1 g per serving0.1 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)0.2 g per serving+0.1 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)+0.1 g per serving
Water66.9 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)100.4 g per serving65.7 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)98.6 g per serving−1.2 g per 100 g (3.5 oz)−1.8 g per serving
Protein per 100 kcal6.8 g6.7 g−0.1 g
Estimated satiety (1 to 5)5 / 55 / 50

In bold, the value more favorable to satiety when the gap is clear. Difference: Black beans minus Kidney beans. Source: USDA FDC 175194 and 173735.

Per typical serving

With typical servings, 150 g (5.5 oz) of kidney beans have about 191 kcal and 13 g of protein, and 150 g (5.5 oz) of black beans about 198 kcal and 13.3 g.

To get 20 g of protein you would need about 231 g of kidney beans (293 kcal) or about 226 g of black beans (298 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?

Kidney beans and black beans have the same estimated satiety score: 5 out of 5.

  • Kidney beans: Calculation: 1 (base) + 1 (low energy density: 127 kcal/100 g) + 1 (protein: 6.8 g/100 kcal) + 2 (fiber: 5.8 g/100 kcal) + 0 (solid food with 66.9 g of water, under 70) = 5.
  • Black beans: Low energy density; moderate protein per calorie; a lot of fiber per calorie.

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

Kidney beans

On the numbers they do not stand out from black beans in protein, calories, or fiber, so taste, price, or habit can decide.

Black beans

On the numbers they do not stand out from kidney beans in protein, calories, or fiber, so taste, price, or habit can decide.

On a GLP-1 medication

Kidney beans. “High in fiber”: a good amount of fiber, which helps keep you regular; it is easier to tolerate when you increase it gradually and drink enough water. “May cause bloating”: it can cause gas or bloating in some people, and on a GLP-1 medication that feeling can be more noticeable.

Black beans. “High in fiber”: a good amount of fiber, which helps keep you regular; it is easier to tolerate when you increase it gradually and drink enough water. “May cause bloating”: it can cause gas or bloating in some people, and on a GLP-1 medication that feeling can be more noticeable.

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

Full food pages

  • Kidney beans: every nutrient, frequently asked questions, and similar foods.
  • Black beans: every nutrient, frequently asked questions, and similar foods.

Other comparisons

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: Beans, kidney, red, mature seeds, cooked, boiled, without salt (FDC ID 175194).accessed .
  2. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service.USDA FoodData Central: Beans, black, mature seeds, cooked, boiled, without salt (FDC ID 173735).accessed .