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Whiting vs. Perch — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

Article author photo Elen Khachatrian by Elen Khachatrian | Last updated on February 13, 2023
Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel Article author photo Igor Bussel
Whiting
vs
Perch

Summary

Perch provides more minerals, Vitamin C, B2, B3, and B5. It also has less saturated fat than Pacific whiting. On the other hand, whiting contains more Vitamin D, A, B6, B12, and folate. Also, it has less cholesterol.

Introduction

We'll talk about the main differences between two famous fishes: perch and whiting, focusing on their nutritional content and health impact.

What's The Actual Difference?

Whiting or Pacific whiting belongs to the Merlangius family, while perch is a common name for the fish groups that belong to the Percidae family.

Pacific whiting is a silvery fish with black specks on its back that can grow to about 1.4 pounds and 3 feet long. While perch vary significantly in appearance, they all have a slender body shape, two back fins, and one anal fin. Perch is mild tasting yet sweet, with a moderately firm texture. The flesh of Pacific whiting is soft and mildly sweet.

NUTRITION

The food types discussed in this article are raw perch and raw whiting. To better understand the difference between these two fishes, look at our nutrition infographic at the bottom of the page.

Calories

Both perch and whiting are considered moderate-calories foods.

Perch has 116 calories per 100g, and whiting has 117 calories per 100g.

Minerals

Perch is relatively richer in minerals than whiting. The amount of copper is three times higher.

Moreover, perch is richer in calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc and has less sodium.

On the other hand, perch contains more phosphorus and potassium.

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 19% 19% 38% 16% 13% 14% 122% 17% 17% 224%
Perch
7
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 27% 31% 30% 44% 64% 39% 110% 10% 117% 88%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium +26.2%
Contains more SeleniumSelenium +155.3%
Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium +40.7%
Contains more CalciumCalcium +64.5%
Contains more IronIron +176.2%
Contains more CopperCopper +380%
Contains more ZincZinc +169.8%
Contains less SodiumSodium -40.2%
Contains more ManganeseManganese +592.3%
~equal in Phosphorus ~257mg

Vitamins

Perch provides more Vitamin B1, B5, B2, B3, and C than whiting.

Whiting has more Vitamin A, D, B6, B12, and folate.

Both fishes have an equal amount of Vitamin K.

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% 13% 7.6% 27% 17% 14% 31% 15% 42% 325% 0.25% 11% 45%
Perch
5
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 5.7% 3.3% 0% 0% 20% 28% 36% 52% 32% 275% 0% 4.5% 0%
Contains more Vitamin AVitamin A +280%
Contains more Vitamin EVitamin E +∞%
Contains more Vitamin DVitamin D +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6 +28.6%
Contains more Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 +18.2%
Contains more Vitamin KVitamin K +∞%
Contains more FolateFolate +150%
Contains more CholineCholine +∞%
Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1 +17.6%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2 +100%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3 +13.8%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5 +248%

Fats

Both fishes have a tiny amount of fat.

Protein

The amounts of protein in perch and whiting are almost equal: perch contains 24.86 g, and whiting has 23.48 g of protein per 100g. Both contain essential amino acids, such as lysine, histidine, and phenylalanine.

Cholesterol

Perch provides more cholesterol than whiting. It has 115 mg of cholesterol per 100g, while whiting provides 84 mg per 100g.

HEALTH IMPACT

Health Benefits

Both perch and whiting are high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These two compounds have the potential to improve cardiovascular health, eye health, and immune system function [1]. According to research, omega-3 acids may reduce blood clotting, lower blood pressure and heart failure risk, and decrease triglycerides [2]. One study indicates that omega-3-rich fish bioactive proteins, peptides, or protein hydrolysates have immunomodulatory properties [3].

Another study [4] shows that people who eat more fish have slower rates of mental decline as they age. People who eat two or more meals of fish per week had the lowest rate of mental decline.

Article author photo Elen Khachatrian
Education: Nutrition & Microbiology at YSU
Last updated: February 13, 2023
Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel

Infographic

Whiting vs Perch infographic
Infographic link

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
23% 2% 75%
Protein: 23.48 g
Fats: 1.69 g
Carbs: 0 g
Water: 74.71 g
Other: 0.12 g
Perch
2
25% 73%
Protein: 24.86 g
Fats: 1.18 g
Carbs: 0 g
Water: 73.25 g
Other: 0.71 g
Contains more FatsFats +43.2%
Contains more OtherOther +491.7%
~equal in Protein ~24.86g
~equal in Carbs ~0g
~equal in Water ~73.25g

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
28% 31% 41%
Saturated fat: Sat. Fat 0.4 g
Monounsaturated fat: Mono. Fat 0.445 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 0.587 g
Perch
1
26% 22% 52%
Saturated fat: Sat. Fat 0.237 g
Monounsaturated fat: Mono. Fat 0.195 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 0.472 g
Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated fat +128.2%
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat +24.4%
Contains less Sat. FatSaturated fat -40.8%

Comparison summary table

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

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Whiting Perch DV% diff.
Selenium 41.1µg 16.1µg 45%
Manganese 0.13mg 0.9mg 33%
Vitamin B12 2.6µg 2.2µg 17%
Copper 0.04mg 0.192mg 17%
Choline 83.3mg 15%
Vitamin B5 0.25mg 0.87mg 12%
Cholesterol 84mg 115mg 10%
Vitamin D 1.8µg 9%
Vitamin D 73IU 9%
Iron 0.42mg 1.16mg 9%
Zinc 0.53mg 1.43mg 8%
Vitamin B2 0.06mg 0.12mg 5%
Phosphorus 285mg 257mg 4%
Calcium 62mg 102mg 4%
Protein 23.48g 24.86g 3%
Vitamin A 38µg 10µg 3%
Vitamin E 0.38mg 3%
Potassium 434mg 344mg 3%
Magnesium 27mg 38mg 3%
Vitamin B6 0.18mg 0.14mg 3%
Folate 15µg 6µg 2%
Sodium 132mg 79mg 2%
Vitamin C 0mg 1.7mg 2%
Polyunsaturated fat 0.587g 0.472g 1%
Vitamin B3 1.67mg 1.9mg 1%
Vitamin B1 0.068mg 0.08mg 1%
Monounsaturated fat 0.445g 0.195g 1%
Fats 1.69g 1.18g 1%
Saturated fat 0.4g 0.237g 1%
Calories 116kcal 117kcal 0%
Vitamin K 0.1µg 0%
Tryptophan 0.263mg 0.278mg 0%
Threonine 1.029mg 1.09mg 0%
Isoleucine 1.082mg 1.145mg 0%
Leucine 1.908mg 2.02mg 0%
Lysine 2.156mg 2.283mg 0%
Methionine 0.695mg 0.736mg 0%
Phenylalanine 0.917mg 0.97mg 0%
Valine 1.21mg 1.281mg 0%
Histidine 0.691mg 0.732mg 0%
Omega-3 - EPA 0.283g 0.101g N/A
Omega-3 - DHA 0.235g 0.223g N/A
Omega-3 - DPA 0.017g 0.036g N/A

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Whiting Perch
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
42%
Whiting
35%
Perch
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
50%
Whiting
56%
Perch

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
Whiting
Whiting is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 31mg)
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Perch
Perch is lower in Sugar (difference - 0g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Perch
Perch contains less Sodium (difference - 53mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated fat?
Perch
Perch is lower in Saturated fat (difference - 0.163g)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
?
The foods have equal glycemic indexes (0)
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.
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. Whiting - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/175161/nutrients
  2. Perch - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/173679/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.