Rice vs Potato Calories: Comparing Nutritional Values per 100g

An evidence-based breakdown of calories, macronutrients, and glycemic impact to help you choose the right starch for your dietary goals.

Written by Victura Nutrition TeamReviewed by Victura Editorial ReviewLast updated Aug 16, 2026

Rice vs Potato food photo
Rice vs Potato — real food photo
Rice portion size visual
Portion size
Rice calories and macros infographic
Calories & macros

Quick answer

A 100g serving of rice vs potato provides about 77 kcal. Per 100g you get about 17.49g carbs and 2.05g protein. Glycemic index is around 78.

Rice vs Potato is a whole food with approximately 77 calories per 100g, tracked in Victura for macro-aware meal logging.

Calories (100g serving)
77 kcal
Carbs (100g)
17.49g
Protein (100g)
2.05g
Serving reference
100g · 100g serving
Glycemic index
78

The Macronutrient and Caloric Breakdown: Rice vs. Potatoes

Research-backed

When comparing staple starches, understanding caloric density and hydration states is critical for accurate dietary planning. Raw potatoes (flesh and skin) contain 77.0 calories per 100g, with 17.49g of carbohydrates, 2.05g of protein, and a negligible 0.09g of fat. In contrast, dry, uncooked white rice is highly concentrated, containing approximately 365 calories, 80.0g of carbohydrates, and 7.1g of protein per 100g. When cooked, white rice absorbs a significant amount of water, which dilutes its caloric density to roughly 130 calories per 100g. Even in its cooked state, white rice remains more calorie-dense than boiled or baked potatoes, primarily because potatoes naturally consist of about 79% water by weight. This structural hydration gives potatoes a distinct advantage in volume-based eating strategies. From a micronutrient perspective, potatoes are highly nutrient-dense compared to refined white rice. A 100g serving of raw potato delivers 421mg of Potassium (9% of the Daily Value) and 19.7mg of Vitamin C (22% of the Daily Value). Potassium is an essential intracellular electrolyte that regulates fluid balance, nerve signals, and muscle contractions, while Vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant supporting immune function and collagen synthesis. Refined white rice, unless artificially enriched, contains minimal micronutrients, offering only trace amounts of B vitamins and approximately 0.8mg of iron per 100g in its dry form. Carbohydrate quality also differs between these two sources. Potatoes contain 2.1g of dietary fiber per 100g, whereas cooked white rice typically contains less than 0.5g of fiber per 100g. Furthermore, both starches contain varying levels of resistant starch—a type of carbohydrate that escapes digestion in the small intestine and acts as a prebiotic in the large bowel. Cooking and then cooling either potatoes or rice converts digestible starches into resistant starch through a process called retrogradation. This structural change lowers the glycemic response and feeds beneficial gut bacteria, which produce short-chain fatty acids like butyrate to support colon health. However, both foods exhibit relatively high Glycemic Index (GI) values when consumed in isolation. Potatoes have an estimated GI of 78, and white rice averages around 73. Because a high GI can cause rapid blood glucose spikes, individuals managing type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance should focus on the Glycemic Load (GL) of their entire meal. Pairing these starches with lean proteins, healthy fats, and non-starchy vegetables slows gastric emptying, significantly blunting the postprandial insulin spike.

Real-World Application: Satiety and Performance

Community insight

Anonymized meal logs from the Victura community reveal distinct, goal-dependent usage patterns for both starches. Users focused on fat loss, calorie restriction, and volume eating heavily favor potatoes. Boiled potatoes consistently rank at the top of the Satiety Index—a clinical measure of how full a food keeps you relative to its caloric content. Victura users report that consuming 200g of boiled potatoes (approximately 154 calories) provides a profound, long-lasting sensation of fullness that is difficult to replicate with an equivalent caloric portion of cooked white rice (about 120g). The high water content and physical volume of potatoes stretch the stomach wall, triggering the release of satiety hormones like cholecystokinin (CCK). Conversely, endurance athletes, bodybuilders, and individuals in muscle-building or 'bulking' phases show a strong preference for white rice. Because white rice is lower in fiber and rapidly digested, it serves as an exceptional source of quick-release carbohydrates. Athletes logging meals in the Victura app frequently consume white rice in their pre-workout and post-workout windows to rapidly replenish muscle glycogen stores without experiencing gastrointestinal heaviness, bloating, or sluggishness during intense training sessions. For those needing to consume 3,000+ calories per day, white rice makes it physically easier to meet carbohydrate targets without premature fullness. In terms of dietary compatibility, both starches are naturally gluten-free, making them safe staples for individuals with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. However, neither food is suitable for strict ketogenic or very-low-carbohydrate diets due to their high net carbohydrate content. For moderate-carbohydrate or cyclic keto approaches, Victura users frequently utilize the 'cook-and-cool' meal prep method. By cooking potatoes or rice a day in advance and storing them in the refrigerator, users successfully lower the net digestible carb impact, making these traditional starches more compatible with insulin-conscious lifestyles.

References

  1. USDA FoodData Central: Potatoes, flesh and skin, raw(usda)
  2. Glycemic Index and Disease, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health(harvard)

Frequently asked questions

From a micronutrient and fiber perspective, potatoes are generally considered healthier than refined white rice. A 100g serving of potato provides 2.1g of fiber, 421mg of potassium, and nearly a quarter of your daily Vitamin C requirement, whereas white rice contains minimal fiber and micronutrients unless enriched. However, the ideal choice depends on your physical activity levels and dietary goals.

People also ask

  • Is a potato healthier than white rice?

    From a micronutrient and fiber perspective, potatoes are generally considered healthier than refined white rice. A 100g serving of potato provides 2.1g of fiber, 421mg of potassium, and nearly a quarter of your daily Vitamin C requirement, whereas white rice contains minimal fiber and micronutrients unless enriched. However, the ideal choice depends on your physical activity levels and dietary goals.

  • Which starch is better for losing weight?

    Potatoes are highly superior for weight loss due to their low caloric density and high satiety index. Because raw potatoes contain only 77 calories per 100g compared to cooked white rice at approximately 130 calories per 100g, you can eat a much larger physical volume of potatoes for the same amount of calories, helping you stay full and satisfied on a calorie-restricted diet.

  • How does cooking and cooling affect their glycemic index?

    Cooling cooked potatoes or rice in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours triggers a process called starch retrogradation. This converts digestible starches into resistant starch, which resists enzymatic breakdown in the small intestine. This process lowers the overall glycemic index of the food, reduces the subsequent blood sugar spike, and provides prebiotic fiber that benefits gut health.

  • Which option has more carbohydrates per serving?

    Cooked white rice contains significantly more carbohydrates per unit of weight than boiled potatoes. Cooked white rice averages about 28g of carbohydrates per 100g, whereas boiled or raw potatoes contain approximately 17.5g of carbohydrates per 100g. This makes potatoes a more favorable option for individuals looking to moderate their carbohydrate intake.

  • Are potatoes or rice better for athletic performance?

    White rice is generally preferred by athletes for rapid energy delivery and glycogen replenishment because it is easily digested and low in fiber, minimizing gastrointestinal discomfort during workouts. Potatoes are excellent for recovery meals due to their high potassium content, which helps restore electrolyte balance and prevent muscle cramping.

  • Do potatoes contain simple sugars?

    Potatoes contain a very small amount of simple sugars—approximately 0.82g per 100g. The vast majority of the carbohydrates in potatoes are complex starches (amylose and amylopectin), which provide sustained energy rather than the rapid, short-lived energy spikes associated with refined simple sugars.

How we review this guide

Written by
Victura Nutrition Team
Reviewed by
Victura Editorial Review
Reference sources
4
Last updated
Aug 16, 2026

Revision & correction policy

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