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Grouper fish vs. Halibut — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

Article author photo Ani Harutyunyan by Ani Harutyunyan | Last updated on February 18, 2023
Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel Article author photo Igor Bussel
Grouper fish
vs
Halibut

Summary

Grouper and halibut have many differences in nutritional content. Grouper is higher in protein, vitamin B1, and minerals. Halibut contains more cholesterol, B-complex vitamins, and higher calories. Two species promote heart health.

Introduction

Grouper and halibut are two of the most widespread fishes in the world. In this article, we will compare these fishes, focusing on their nutritional composition and health impact, and showing their actual differences.

Actual differences  

Grouper (1) is a freshwater fish from the Serranidae family. This fish is usually widespread in the Gulf of Mexico and the coasts of South America. Grouper has a mild, a bit sweet taste. Grouper has a broader range of cooking methods: it is usually consumed in baked, broiled, fried, grilled, or steamed forms.

Halibut (2) is a kind of flatfish. In contrast to grouper, halibut has a sweet and subtle flavor. Typically, it is steamed, baked, poached, or grilled. The fish is found in the Atlantic Ocean and the California coasts. However, it is offered and accessible everywhere.

Nutrition 

Here we will discuss grouper and halibut's macronutrient, mineral, and vitamin composition. Both of them do not provide any amounts of carbs.

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
25% 73%
Protein: 24.84 g
Fats: 1.3 g
Carbs: 0 g
Water: 73.36 g
Other: 0.5 g
18% 18% 62% 2%
Protein: 18.42 g
Fats: 17.74 g
Carbs: 0 g
Water: 61.88 g
Other: 1.96 g
Contains more ProteinProtein +34.9%
Contains more WaterWater +18.6%
Contains more FatsFats +1264.6%
Contains more OtherOther +292%
~equal in Carbs ~0g

Protein

Grouper is higher in protein than halibut.

Both contain many essential amino acids, such as lysine, histidine, and phenylalanine.

Fat

Halibut is higher in fats than grouper. It is richer in both saturated and unsaturated fats. Halibut is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Halibut is 12mg higher in cholesterol than grouper.

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
31% 28% 42%
Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 0.299 g
Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 0.268 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 0.403 g
20% 69% 11%
Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 3.102 g
Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 10.742 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 1.753 g
Contains less Sat. FatSaturated Fat -90.4%
Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated Fat +3908.2%
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat +335%

Calories

Grouper is a low-calorie food, while halibut is classified as medium-calorie. Due to its higher fat composition, halibut provides more calories than grouper. It has two times more calories per 100g serving.

Minerals

The winner in this section is grouper.

Halibut provides more phosphorus than grouper. Grouper contains more calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and potassium. Grouper is 50g lower in sodium than halibut.

Check the mineral comparison chart below for a visual representation of the distribution of minerals.

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 26% 6.3% 42% 43% 15% 14% 61% 6.9% 1.6% 255%
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 24% 1.2% 30% 32% 13% 14% 90% 13% 2% 255%
Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium +12.1%
Contains more CalciumCalcium +425%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium +38.1%
Contains more IronIron +34.1%
Contains more CopperCopper +18.4%
Contains less SodiumSodium -48.5%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus +46.9%
Contains more ManganeseManganese +25%
~equal in Zinc ~0.51mg
~equal in Selenium ~46.8µg

Vitamins

Grouper is richer in vitamins B1, B5, and folate. Halibut contains higher amounts of B-complex vitamins.

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 0% 9.9% 0% 0% 20% 1.4% 7.1% 52% 81% 86% 0% 7.5% 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 0% 3.6% 0% 0% 18% 24% 36% 17% 112% 120% 0% 0.75% 0%
Contains more Vitamin AVitamin A +175%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5 +202.1%
Contains more FolateFolate +900%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2 +1616.7%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3 +404.7%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6 +38.6%
Contains more Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 +39.1%
~equal in Vitamin C ~0mg
~equal in Vitamin E ~mg
~equal in Vitamin D ~µg
~equal in Vitamin B1 ~0.073mg
~equal in Vitamin K ~µg
~equal in Choline ~mg

Health impact

Cardiovascular health

Grouper and halibut consumption are connected to lower cardiovascular disease risk (3). This is due to omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid composition. These two compounds are long-chain essential fatty acids that are not produced in the human organism. Hence we must get them with the food we eat. Research shows that the risk of heart disease increases when there is no balance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid concentrations in the blood flow (4). Halibut and grouper boost omega-3 levels in the bloodstream of those with higher omega-6 levels (5) (6).

Article author photo Ani Harutyunyan
Education: General Medicine at YSMU
Last updated: February 18, 2023
Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel

Infographic

Grouper fish vs Halibut 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.
Grouper fish Halibut
Lower in Cholesterol ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Saturated Fat ok
Lower in price ok
Lower in Sugar Equal
Lower in Glycemic Index Equal
Rich in minerals Equal
Rich in vitamins Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Grouper fish Halibut Opinion
Calories 118kcal 239kcal Halibut
Protein 24.84g 18.42g Grouper fish
Fats 1.3g 17.74g Halibut
Cholesterol 47mg 59mg Grouper fish
Magnesium 37mg 33mg Grouper fish
Calcium 21mg 4mg Grouper fish
Potassium 475mg 344mg Grouper fish
Iron 1.14mg 0.85mg Grouper fish
Copper 0.045mg 0.038mg Grouper fish
Zinc 0.51mg 0.51mg
Phosphorus 143mg 210mg Halibut
Sodium 53mg 103mg Grouper fish
Vitamin A 165IU 60IU Grouper fish
Vitamin A 50µg 18µg Grouper fish
Manganese 0.012mg 0.015mg Halibut
Selenium 46.8µg 46.8µg
Vitamin B1 0.081mg 0.073mg Grouper fish
Vitamin B2 0.006mg 0.103mg Halibut
Vitamin B3 0.381mg 1.923mg Halibut
Vitamin B5 0.87mg 0.288mg Grouper fish
Vitamin B6 0.35mg 0.485mg Halibut
Vitamin B12 0.69µg 0.96µg Halibut
Folate 10µg 1µg Grouper fish
Saturated Fat 0.299g 3.102g Grouper fish
Monounsaturated Fat 0.268g 10.742g Halibut
Polyunsaturated fat 0.403g 1.753g Halibut
Tryptophan 0.278mg 0.206mg Grouper fish
Threonine 1.089mg 0.808mg Grouper fish
Isoleucine 1.145mg 0.849mg Grouper fish
Leucine 2.019mg 1.497mg Grouper fish
Lysine 2.282mg 1.692mg Grouper fish
Methionine 0.735mg 0.545mg Grouper fish
Phenylalanine 0.97mg 0.719mg Grouper fish
Valine 1.28mg 0.949mg Grouper fish
Histidine 0.731mg 0.542mg Grouper fish
Omega-3 - EPA 0.035g 0.674g Halibut
Omega-3 - DHA 0.213g 0.504g Halibut
Omega-3 - DPA 0.017g 0.114g Halibut

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Grouper fish Halibut
Low Calories diet ok
Low Fats diet ok
Low Carbs diet Equal
Low Glycemic Index diet Equal

People also compare

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
20%
Grouper fish
26%
Halibut
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
47%
Grouper fish
47%
Halibut

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
Grouper fish
Grouper fish is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 12mg)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Grouper fish
Grouper fish contains less Sodium (difference - 50mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
Grouper fish
Grouper fish is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 2.803g)
Which food is cheaper?
Grouper fish
Grouper fish is cheaper (difference - $5)
Which food contains less Sugar?
?
The foods are relatively equal in Sugar ( g)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
?
The foods have equal glycemic indexes (0)
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.
Which food is richer in vitamins?
?
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. Grouper fish - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171963/nutrients
  2. Halibut - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/174232/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.