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  6. Foie gras vs. Chicken liver pate

Foie Gras vs. Pate — What Is The Difference?

Article author photo Jack Yacoubian by Jack Yacoubian | Last updated on July 27, 2023
Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel Article author photo Igor Bussel
Foie gras
vs
Chicken liver pate

Summary

Foie gras is higher in calories, fats, and sodium. It also contains more calcium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin A, and vitamin B12. 

In comparison, pate is richer in zinc, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B5, and folate. Pate is lower in saturated fats, monounsaturated fats, and sodium. 

Table of contents

  1. Introduction 
    1. What's The Difference?
      1. Taste
      2. Nutrition
        1. Calories
          1. Carbs
            1. Fats
              1. Protein
                1. Minerals
                  1. Vitamins 
                  2. Health Impacts
                    1. Cancer
                      1. Cardiovascular health 
                        1. Miscellaneous
                        2. References
                           

                          Introduction 

                          This article will compare two animal-derived foods, foie gras and pate. Foie gras is a French word that translates into fatty liver. Foie gras comes from goose liver. In comparison, pate is ground and processed meat; we can find different varieties such as pork, venison, poultry, and beef.  

                          This article will consider chicken liver pate and foie gras. 

                          What's The Difference?

                          Foie gras, derived from the fattened liver of ducks, can be consumed as a whole piece, as a mousse, or in the form of a pate.
                          Pate encompasses various types of meat, such as beef, poultry, pork, and fish, combined with herbs, vegetables, and spices. Typically, pate is served with toast or crackers.


                          Foie gras comes from the liver of a goose. In comparison, pate is a processed meat of pork, beef, poultry, or venison. 


                          Thus, foie gras falls under the category of pate, but it's important to note that not all pate is made from foie gras.

                          Taste

                          People often consider foie gras to taste buttery, rich, and smooth. In comparison, chicken liver pate's creamy texture might be grainy, but the flavor is not as rich as foie gras. However, the taste is always personal; some people might like pate more than foie gras. 

                          Nutrition

                          This section will compare 100g of each foie gras and chicken liver pate. 

                          Calories

                          Foie gras contains 462 calories, and pate contains 201 calories. 

                          The difference is highly significant. Foie gras contains 2.3 times more calories compared to pate. 

                          Carbs

                          Pate contains higher amounts of carbs compared to foie gras. The amount of carbs is not very high overall, but a difference does exist between them. 

                          Fats

                          The fat content is the most significant difference regarding their nutritional content differences. 

                          Since foie gras translates to fatty liver, foie gras is higher in fats than pate.
                           

                          Foie gras contains 3.4 times more fat compared to pate. Foie gras contains 44g of fat, and in comparison, pate contains 13g of fat. 

                          It is essential to mention the fat categories in this comparison. 

                          Foie gras contains 10g more saturated fats than pate and 20g more monounsaturated fats. 

                          However, pate, although much lower in fats, contains a slightly higher amount of polyunsaturated fats, which has little significance.

                          Below we can visualize their differences. 

                          Fat Type Comparison

                          Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
                          35% 63% 2%
                          Saturated fat: Sat. Fat 14.45 g
                          Monounsaturated fat: Mono. Fat 25.61 g
                          Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 0.84 g
                          34% 45% 21%
                          Saturated fat: Sat. Fat 4 g
                          Monounsaturated fat: Mono. Fat 5.28 g
                          Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 2.46 g
                          Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated fat +385%
                          Contains less Sat. FatSaturated fat -72.3%
                          Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat +192.9%
                           

                          Protein

                          Pate is slightly richer in proteins. The difference is not of high significance. Pate contains 13g of protein, whereas pate contains 11.5g. 

                          Macronutrient Comparison

                          Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
                          11% 44% 5% 37% 3%
                          Protein: 11.4 g
                          Fats: 43.84 g
                          Carbs: 4.67 g
                          Water: 37.04 g
                          Other: 3.05 g
                          13% 13% 7% 66%
                          Protein: 13.45 g
                          Fats: 13.1 g
                          Carbs: 6.55 g
                          Water: 65.64 g
                          Other: 1.26 g
                          Contains more FatsFats +234.7%
                          Contains more OtherOther +142.1%
                          Contains more ProteinProtein +18%
                          Contains more CarbsCarbs +40.3%
                          Contains more WaterWater +77.2%
                           

                          Minerals

                          Pate is richer in zinc and iron. It is also lower in sodium.

                          On the other hand, foie gras is richer in calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. 

                          Mineral Comparison

                          Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
                          Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 9.3% 21% 12% 206% 133% 25% 86% 91% 16% 240%
                          Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 9.3% 3% 8.4% 345% 60% 58% 75% 50% 21% 251%
                          Contains more CalciumCalcium +600%
                          Contains more PotassiumPotassium +45.3%
                          Contains more CopperCopper +122.2%
                          Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus +14.3%
                          Contains more IronIron +67.1%
                          Contains more ZincZinc +132.6%
                          Contains less SodiumSodium -44.6%
                          Contains more ManganeseManganese +35%
                          ~equal in Magnesium ~13mg
                          ~equal in Selenium ~46.1µg
                           

                          Vitamins 

                          Pate is vitamin dense and is richer in vitamins C, E, B2, B5, B6, and folate. In comparison, foie gras is richer in vitamins A and B12. 

                          Vitamin Comparison

                          Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
                          Vitamin C Vit. C Vitamin A Vit. A Vitamin E Vit. E Vitamin D Vit. D Vitamin B1 Vit. B1 Vitamin B2 Vit. B2 Vitamin B3 Vit. B3 Vitamin B5 Vit. B5 Vitamin B6 Vit. B6 Vitamin B12 Vit. B12 Vitamin K Vit. K Folate Folate Choline Choline 6.7% 334% 0% 0% 22% 69% 47% 72% 14% 1175% 0% 45% 0%
                          Vitamin C Vit. C Vitamin A Vit. A Vitamin E Vit. E Vitamin D Vit. D Vitamin B1 Vit. B1 Vitamin B2 Vit. B2 Vitamin B3 Vit. B3 Vitamin B5 Vit. B5 Vitamin B6 Vit. B6 Vitamin B12 Vit. B12 Vitamin K Vit. K Folate Folate Choline Choline 33% 72% 20% 0% 13% 323% 141% 157% 60% 1009% 0% 241% 125%
                          Contains more Vitamin AVitamin A +361.3%
                          Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1 +69.2%
                          Contains more Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 +16.5%
                          Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C +400%
                          Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2 +368.6%
                          Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3 +199.5%
                          Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5 +118.3%
                          Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6 +333.3%
                          Contains more FolateFolate +435%
                          ~equal in Vitamin D ~0µg
                          ~equal in Vitamin K ~0µg
                           

                          Health Impacts

                          Cancer

                          Research has shown that processed meat is closely linked to a higher likelihood of developing cancer and has been categorized as a Group 1 carcinogen. This classification indicates substantial evidence that consuming large amounts of processed meat leads to an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

                          Pate is considered processed meat that is positively associated with cancer(1)

                          Cardiovascular health 

                          Foie gras ticks most boxes regarding cardiovascular health's negative impacts. 


                          Foie gras is high in sodium, increasing hypertension risks and mortality rates from cardiovascular diseases. (2)

                          In addition, foie gras contains high saturated fats, which are associated with increased risks of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases, and cardiological guidelines recommend consuming lower amounts of saturated fats. In addition, the focus is on consuming unsaturated fats and considering that foie gras is richer in monounsaturated fats. (3)

                          However, it is counterintuitive to say eating foie gras is good for your health when it is high in saturated fats and sodium.  

                          Miscellaneous

                          Although if we consider several aspects, pate is richer in vitamins, which has many benefits for our health. Foie gras is richer in copper, phosphorus, and vitamins B12 and A. However, considering both foods, their cons outweigh their pros. Even comparatively, we can't conclude whether one is healthier. 
                          It is like saying, are cigars healthier than cigarettes? 

                          References

                          1. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/cancer-carcinogenicity-of-the-consumption-of-red-meat-and-processed-meat 
                          2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34579105/ 
                          3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28620111/ 
                          Article author photo Jack Yacoubian
                          Education: Haigazian Medical University
                          Last updated: July 27, 2023
                          Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel

                          Infographic

                          Foie gras vs Chicken liver pate infographic
                          Infographic link

                          Comparison summary table

                          Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.
                          Foie gras Chicken liver pate
                          Lower in Cholesterol ok
                          Lower in Sugar ok
                          Lower in Sodium ok
                          Lower in Saturated fat ok
                          Rich in vitamins ok
                          Lower in Glycemic Index Equal
                          Lower in price Equal
                          Rich in minerals Equal

                          All nutrients comparison - raw data values

                          Nutrient Foie gras Chicken liver pate DV% diff.
                          Vitamin A 1001µg 217µg 87%
                          Vitamin B2 0.299mg 1.401mg 85%
                          Cholesterol 150mg 391mg 80%
                          Folate 60µg 321µg 65%
                          Vitamin B12 9.4µg 8.07µg 55%
                          Monounsaturated fat 25.61g 5.28g 51%
                          Saturated fat 14.45g 4g 48%
                          Fats 43.84g 13.1g 47%
                          Iron 5.5mg 9.19mg 46%
                          Choline 228.8mg 42%
                          Vitamin B3 2.51mg 7.517mg 31%
                          Vitamin B5 1.2mg 2.62mg 28%
                          Copper 0.4mg 0.18mg 24%
                          Vitamin B6 0.06mg 0.26mg 15%
                          Sodium 697mg 386mg 14%
                          Calories 462kcal 201kcal 13%
                          Polyunsaturated fat 0.84g 2.46g 11%
                          Zinc 0.92mg 2.14mg 11%
                          Vitamin C 2mg 10mg 9%
                          Vitamin E 0.98mg 7%
                          Calcium 70mg 10mg 6%
                          Phosphorus 200mg 175mg 4%
                          Selenium 44µg 46.1µg 4%
                          Protein 11.4g 13.45g 4%
                          Vitamin B1 0.088mg 0.052mg 3%
                          Manganese 0.12mg 0.162mg 2%
                          Potassium 138mg 95mg 1%
                          Carbs 4.67g 6.55g 1%
                          Net carbs 4.67g 6.55g N/A
                          Magnesium 13mg 13mg 0%
                          Tryptophan 0.161mg 0.195mg 0%
                          Threonine 0.507mg 0.601mg 0%
                          Isoleucine 0.606mg 0.735mg 0%
                          Leucine 1.029mg 1.196mg 0%
                          Lysine 0.863mg 0.953mg 0%
                          Methionine 0.27mg 0.34mg 0%
                          Phenylalanine 0.567mg 0.694mg 0%
                          Valine 0.719mg 0.863mg 0%
                          Histidine 0.303mg 0.347mg 0%

                          Which food is preferable for your diet?

                          ok
                          ok
                          is better in case of low diet
                          Foie gras Chicken liver pate
                          Low Calories diet ok
                          Low Fats diet ok
                          Low Carbs diet ok
                          Low Glycemic Index diet Equal

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                          Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

                          The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).
                          Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score
                          137%
                          Foie gras
                          169%
                          Chicken liver pate
                          Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
                          84%
                          Foie gras
                          88%
                          Chicken liver pate

                          Comparison summary

                          Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
                          Foie gras
                          Foie gras is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 241mg)
                          Which food is lower in Sugar?
                          Foie gras
                          Foie gras is lower in Sugar (difference - 0g)
                          Which food contains less Sodium?
                          Chicken liver pate
                          Chicken liver pate contains less Sodium (difference - 311mg)
                          Which food is lower in Saturated fat?
                          Chicken liver pate
                          Chicken liver pate is lower in Saturated fat (difference - 10.45g)
                          Which food is richer in vitamins?
                          Chicken liver pate
                          Chicken liver pate is relatively richer in vitamins
                          Which food is lower in glycemic index?
                          ?
                          The foods have equal glycemic indexes ()
                          Which food is cheaper?
                          ?
                          The foods are relatively equal in price ($)
                          Which food is richer in minerals?
                          ?
                          It cannot be stated which food is richer in vitamins. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information.

                          References

                          All the values for which the sources are not specified explicitly are taken from FDA’s Food Central. The exact link to the food presented on this page can be found below.

                          1. Foie gras - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171100/nutrients
                          2. Chicken liver pate - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/172928/nutrients

                          All the Daily Values are presented for males aged 31-50, for 2000-calorie diets.

                          Data provided by FoodStruct.com should be considered and used as information only. Please consult your physician before beginning any diet.