Chia seeds vs Oats (dry)
Different roles, both dry. Chia seeds are far higher in fat, fibre and omega-3 per 100 g; dry oats are mostly starch — more carbs, less fat, a filling base. Chia as a nutrient-dense add-in, oats as the bulk of the bowl — they work together more than they compete.
Chia seeds and Oats (dry), per 100 g and per portion. A gap means USDA has no value for it — not zero.
| Chia seeds · per 100 g | Oats (dry) · per 100 g | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 486 | 379 |
| Protein | 16.5 g | 13.2 g |
| Fat | 30.7 g | 6.5 g |
| Carbs | 42.1 g | 67.7 g |
| Fiber | 34.4 g | 10.1 g |
| Sugars | no data | 1 g |
| Sodium | 16 mg | 6 mg |
| Vitamins & minerals — where both carry data | ||
| Calcium | 631 mg | 52 mg |
| Folate | 49 µg | 32 µg |
| Iron | 7.7 mg | 4.3 mg |
| Magnesium | 335 mg | 138 mg |
| Niacin | 8.8 mg | 1.1 mg |
| Phosphorus | 860 mg | 410 mg |
| Potassium | 407 mg | 362 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.2 mg | 0.2 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.6 mg | 0.5 mg |
| Vitamin A | no data | 0 µg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0 µg | 0 µg |
| Vitamin B6 | no data | 0.1 mg |
| Vitamin C | 1.6 mg | 0 mg |
| Vitamin D | no data | 0 µg |
| Vitamin E | 0.5 mg | 0.4 mg |
| Vitamin K | no data | 2 µg |
| Zinc | 4.6 mg | 3.6 mg |
Generic USDA foods (not brands), so both carry micronutrients. Numbers are per 100 g unless the portion toggle is on. USDA FoodData Central, as of 2026-08-12.
Is Chia seeds or Oats (dry) better?
Neither is “better” on its own — it depends what you want from it. The table shows where each is higher; the short answer says when each one fits. Compare on the same basis (per 100 g) and pick for your dish and your goal.
How were these numbers worked out?
Straight from USDA FoodData Central for the generic form of each food, per 100 g. We show the portion view too, but portion sizes differ between foods, so per 100 g is the fair comparison.
Why does one column say “no data”?
Because USDA has no value for that nutrient in that food — so we leave it blank rather than print a 0 that would read as “none”. A real zero from USDA still shows as 0.