Arugula vs. Kale

Nutrition comparison of Arugula and Kale


Ever wonder how your favorite foods stack up against each other in terms of nutrition?

We compared the nutritional contents of arugula versus kale (100g each) below using 2020 USDA and NIH data[1].

For a quick recap of significant nutrients and differences in arugula and kale:

  • Both kale and arugula are high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, calcium and potassium.
  • Kale has more thiamin, riboflavin and niacin.
  • Kale is an excellent source of dietary fiber.
Detailed nutritional comparison of arugula and kale is analyzed below. You can also visualize the nutritional comparison for a custom portion or serving size and see how the nutrition compares.

USDA sources for nutritional information: Arugula (Arugula, raw) and Kale (Kale, raw) . Have a correction or suggestions? Shoot us an email.


Image of Arugula src
Image of Kale src

Calories and Carbs

calories

Kale and arugula contain similar amounts of calories - kale has 35 calories per 100 grams and arugula has 25 calories.

For macronutrient ratios, arugula is heavier in protein, heavier in carbs and lighter in fat compared to kale per calorie. Arugula has a macronutrient ratio of 33:47:20 and for kale, 27:41:32 for protein, carbohydrates and fat from calories.

Macro Ratios from Calories:

Arugula Kale
Protein 33% 27%
Carbohydrates 47% 41%
Fat 20% 32%
Alcohol ~ ~

carbohydrates

Both kale and arugula are low in carbohydrates - kale has 4.4g of total carbs per 100 grams and arugula has 3.7g of carbohydrates.

The carbs in kale are made of 81% dietary fiber and 19% sugar, whereas the carbs in arugula comprise of 56% sugar and 44% dietary fiber.

dietary fiber

Kale is an excellent source of dietary fiber and it has 156% more dietary fiber than arugula - kale has 4.1g of dietary fiber per 100 grams and arugula has 1.6g of dietary fiber.

sugar

Kale and arugula contain similar amounts of sugar - kale has 0.99g of sugar per 100 grams and arugula has 2.1g of sugar.

Protein

protein

Kale and arugula contain similar amounts of protein - kale has 2.9g of protein per 100 grams and arugula has 2.6g of protein.

Fat

saturated fat

Both kale and arugula are low in saturated fat - kale has 0.18g of saturated fat per 100 grams and arugula has 0.09g of saturated fat.

Vitamins

Vitamin C

Both kale and arugula are high in Vitamin C. Kale has 523% more Vitamin C than arugula - kale has 93.4mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams and arugula has 15mg of Vitamin C.

Vitamin A

Both kale and arugula are high in Vitamin A. Kale has 103% more Vitamin A than arugula - kale has 241ug of Vitamin A per 100 grams and arugula has 119ug of Vitamin A.

Vitamin E

Kale and arugula contain similar amounts of Vitamin E - kale has 0.66mg of Vitamin E per 100 grams and arugula has 0.43mg of Vitamin E.

Vitamin K

Both kale and arugula are high in Vitamin K. Kale has 259% more Vitamin K than arugula - kale has 389.6ug of Vitamin K per 100 grams and arugula has 108.6ug of Vitamin K.

The B Vitamins

Kale has more thiamin, riboflavin and niacin. Both arugula and kale contain significant amounts of pantothenic acid, Vitamin B6 and folate.

Arugula Kale
Thiamin 0.044 MG 0.113 MG
Riboflavin 0.086 MG 0.347 MG
Niacin 0.305 MG 1.18 MG
Pantothenic acid 0.437 MG 0.37 MG
Vitamin B6 0.073 MG 0.147 MG
Folate 97 UG 62 UG

Minerals

calcium

Both kale and arugula are high in calcium. Kale has 59% more calcium than arugula - kale has 254mg of calcium per 100 grams and arugula has 160mg of calcium.

iron

Kale and arugula contain similar amounts of iron - kale has 1.6mg of iron per 100 grams and arugula has 1.5mg of iron.

potassium

Both kale and arugula are high in potassium. Kale is very similar to kale for potassium - kale has 348mg of potassium per 100 grams and arugula has 369mg of potassium.

Antioxidants and Phytonutrients

flavonoids

Naturally occuring in fruits and vegetables, flavonoids are associated with many health benefits and used in a variety of medicinal and pharmaceutical applications. [2][3]

For specific flavonoid compounds, both arugula and kale contain significant amounts of kaempferol.

Arugula Kale
isorhamnetin 4.3 mg 23.6 mg
kaempferol 34.89 mg 46.8 mg
Quercetin 7.92 mg 22.58 mg

carotenoids

Carotenoids are micronutrients commonly found in plants and some animal products. An example is beta-carotene, the notable carotenoid which is a popular source of Vitamin A.[4][5]

For specific types of carotenoids, both arugula and kale contain significant amounts of lutein + zeaxanthin.

Arugula Kale
beta-carotene 1424 UG 2873 UG
lutein + zeaxanthin 3555 UG 6261 UG

Omega-3 and Omega-6

omega 3s

For omega-3 fatty acids, kale has more alpha linoleic acid (ALA) than arugula per 100 grams.

Arugula Kale
alpha linoleic acid 0.17 G 0.378 G
Total 0.17 G 0.378 G

omega 6s

Comparing omega-6 fatty acids, kale has more linoleic acid than arugula per 100 grams.

Arugula Kale
linoleic acid 0.13 G 0.291 G
other omega 6 0.002 G 0.003 G
Total 0.132 G 0.294 G



Customize your serving size


The comparison below is by weight, but sometimes 100g isn't that intuitive of a measurement for food. View a custom portion comparison (e.g. cups, oz, package).

You can try adding or subtracting the amount of either Arugula or Kale .

Note: The specific food items compared are: Arugula (Arugula, raw) and Kale (Kale, raw) .

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FAQ

Does kale or arugula contain more calories in 100 grams?
Kale and arugula contain similar amounts of calories - kale has 35 calories in 100g and arugula has 25 calories.

Is kale or arugula better for protein?
Kale and arugula contain similar amounts of protein - kale has 2.9g of protein per 100 grams and arugula has 2.6g of protein.

Does kale or arugula have more carbohydrates?
By weight, both kale and arugula are low in carbohydrates - kale has 4.4g of carbs for 100g and arugula has 3.7g of carbohydrates. the carbs in kale are made of 80% dietary fiber and 20% sugar, whereas the carbs in arugula comprise of 60% sugar and 40% dietary fiber.

Does kale or arugula contain more calcium?
Both kale and arugula are high in calcium. Kale has 60% more calcium than arugula - kale has 254mg of calcium in 100 grams and arugula has 160mg of calcium.

Does kale or arugula contain more potassium?
Both kale and arugula are high in potassium. Kale is very similar to kale for potassium - kale has 348mg of potassium in 100 grams and arugula has 369mg of potassium.