Acorns vs Almonds: Which Is Better?

Acorns and almonds belong to the nuts and seeds food group, an important group for a healthy diet, as they provide a wide range of essential nutrients, such as protein, healthy fats, dietary fiber, and vitamins and minerals.

In this article, we’ll put a spotlight on acorns and almonds and compare their similarities and differences.

They both provide a variety of nutrients and are relatively high in calories, like other nuts and seeds.

Acorns

Acorns (Quercus spp.) are the seeds of oak trees and have been used as a food source by humans for centuries. Acorns have a slightly bitter and nutty flavor and are often ground into flour or meal for use in baking or as a thickening agent in soups and stews.

Acorns are a good source of nutrients, including protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals. They are also a sustainable and renewable food source, as oak trees are widely distributed, and acorns are abundant in many areas.

In some cultures, acorns have been used as a coffee substitute and can also be roasted and eaten as a snack. Acorns can be prepared in various ways, including boiling, roasting, or grinding into flour.

However, it is important to note that acorns contain tannins, which can give them a bitter flavor and can also cause digestive issues if consumed in large quantities. Therefore, it is important to properly prepare and leach acorns before consuming them in large amounts.

Overall, acorns are a unique and nutritious food that can be valuable to a plant-based diet. If you’re looking to try something new, consider incorporating acorns into your cooking!

Acorns are an excellent source of Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).

They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin).

Almonds

Almonds (Prunus dulcis) are the seeds of the almond tree and have been enjoyed as food for thousands of years.

Almonds have a sweet and nutty flavor and are often eaten as a snack on their own or used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes.

They can be roasted, blanched, or ground into flour and are a common ingredient in many types of baked goods, including cookies, cakes, and bread.

In addition to their tasty flavor, almonds are a good source of nutrients, including protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals.

They are also a good source of healthy fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

Almonds are widely available and can be found in many forms, including whole, sliced, slivered, and ground. They can be purchased raw, roasted, or salted and are often sold with the skin removed.

Almonds are also available in a variety of flavors, including plain, honey-roasted, and chocolate-covered.

Whether you’re looking for a tasty snack or a versatile ingredient to add to your cooking, almonds are a great choice. They are delicious and nutritious and can be easily incorporated into the diet.

Almonds are an excellent source of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin E.

They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).

Acorns vs Almonds Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing acorns vs almonds.

This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of acorns and almonds and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral contents.

Acorns vs Almonds Calories

Nuts and seeds are generally high in calories; the same goes for acorns and almonds, so you should consume them in moderation.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a proper serving is one ounce, which is roughly equal to 1/4 cup or 28 grams.

To keep the portions under control, the amounts correspond to one serving size: 14 walnut halves, 16 cashews, 24 almonds, 28 peanuts, or 45 pistachios.

Comparing acorns vs almonds for weight loss, acorns are slightly lower in calories, with 108 calories per serving, compared to 162 calories per serving of almonds.

However, both acorns and almonds can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight. It’s just important to eat them in moderation.

Acorns vs Almonds Protein

Nuts and seeds, including acorns and almonds, are an important source of plant-based protein.

Almonds offer around 71% more protein than acorns.

Almonds have 21.2 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 5.9g per serving), while acorns have 6.2 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 1.7g per serving).

Acorns vs Almonds Carbs

Counting carbs can be important for some people for different reasons, including blood sugar control, weight management, or athletic performance.

It’s also important for people on a keto diet, so let’s compare the carbs content in acorns and almonds.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 47% higher in acorns than in almonds. They have 40.8 grams per 100 grams, compared to 21.6 grams in almonds.

There’s less sugar in acorns than in almonds, 100% precisely.

One handful of acorns (28 grams) contains 0 grams of sugar, while the same amount of almonds contains 1.2 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in acorns and almonds.

Dietary fiber keeps the digestive system healthy and helps with weight management by promoting a sense of fullness.

With 3.5 grams of fiber per portion, almonds are a better source of fiber than acorns which offer 0 grams per portion.

Acorns vs Almonds Fats

Like the other nuts and seeds, fats in acorns and almonds are a great source of healthy unsaturated fats, naturally cholesterol free, and free of trans fats.

Total fat in acorns and almonds:

• Acorns: 23.9 grams per 100 grams
• Almonds: 49.9 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, acorns are 18% lower in saturated fats.

Acorns and almonds contain 3.1 grams and 3.8 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Acorns vs Almonds Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of acorns and almonds.

Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning we need only a small amount. However, they are very important for many processes in our bodies.

Acorns have a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), and vitamin E.

However, almonds have a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and vitamin B9 (Folate).

Acorns and almonds contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), and vitamin K.

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins acorns and almonds contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Acorns vs Almonds Minerals Content

Minerals are important for our body to function properly. We need only a small amount of minerals, so they are called micronutrients.

Some minerals, like iron, calcium, zinc or, iodine, are relatively hard to get on a plant-based diet, so it’s important to choose your foods thoughtfully. This part of the acorns and almonds comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Acorns are a better source of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, and zinc than almonds.

Acorns and almonds contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how acorns and almonds compare when it comes to mineral contents.

The Final Word

Acorns and almonds are highly nutritious and excellent sources of plant-based protein and healthy fats.

Although they are relatively high in calories, they are essential to a healthy, plant-based diet and are linked to many health benefits.

Both acorns and almonds are high in specific vitamins and minerals, and including them in your diet will give you the most benefits they offer.

Nuts and seeds are versatile foods, and can be part of any meal or salad, just be sure to eat them moderately, as they are loaded with calories.

Nuts and seeds are versatile foods and can be part of any meal or salad, just be sure to eat them moderately, as they are loaded with calories.