• Home
  • Guides
  • Acorns vs Poppy Seeds: Difference & Similarities

Acorns vs Poppy Seeds: Difference & Similarities

This article explains the key similarities and differences between acorns and poppy seeds, foods from the nuts and seeds group. Read on to learn more about the acorns vs poppy seeds comparison.
Esther Bumpus, Health Writer

Written by Esther Bumpus, Health Writer. Updated on December 30, 2022.

Acorns and poppy seeds 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 poppy seeds 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).

Poppy Seeds

Poppy seeds (Papaver somniferum) are the tiny, black seeds of the poppy plant, native to the Mediterranean region.

These seeds have a slightly nutty and slightly earthy flavor, and are often used in a variety of dishes, including breads, pastries, and savory dishes.

Poppy seeds 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.

There are many ways to incorporate poppy seeds into your diet.

They can be eaten raw or roasted, and are often used as a topping for salads and other dishes.

If you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious seed to add to your diet, consider giving poppy seeds a try.

They are flavorful, versatile, and have a variety of health benefits.

Poppy Seeds are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine).

They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), Vitamin B9 (Folate), and Vitamin E and some Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid).

Acorns vs Poppy Seeds 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 poppy seeds.

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

AcornsPoppy Seeds
Energy387 kcal525 kcal
Carbs40.8 g28.1 g
Sugar2.99 g
Fiber19.5 g
Protein6.15 g18 g
Fat23.9 g41.6 g
Saturated Fat3.1 g4.52 g

Acorns vs Poppy Seeds Calories

Nuts and seeds are generally high in calories; the same goes for acorns and poppy seeds, 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 poppy seeds for weight loss, acorns are slightly lower in calories, with 108 calories per serving, compared to 147 calories per serving of poppy seeds.

However, both acorns and poppy seeds 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 Poppy Seeds Protein

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

Poppy Seeds offer around 66% more protein than acorns.

Poppy Seeds have 18 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 5g per serving), while acorns have 6.2 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 1.7g per serving).

Acorns vs Poppy Seeds 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 poppy seeds.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 31% higher in acorns than in poppy seeds. They have 40.8 grams per 100 grams, compared to 28.1 grams in poppy seeds.

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

One handful of acorns (28 grams) contains 0 grams of sugar, while the same amount of poppy seeds contains 0.8 grams.

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

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

With 5.5 grams of fiber per portion, poppy seeds are a better source of fiber than acorns which offer 0 grams per portion.

Acorns vs Poppy Seeds Fats

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

Total fat in acorns and poppy seeds:

  • Acorns: 23.9 grams per 100 grams
  • Poppy Seeds: 41.6 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, acorns are 31% lower in saturated fats.

Acorns and poppy seeds contain 3.1 grams and 4.5 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Acorns vs Poppy Seeds Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of acorns and poppy seeds.

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 C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and vitamin E.

However, poppy seeds have a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and vitamin B9 (Folate).

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

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

AcornsPoppy Seeds
Vitamin A39 IU0
Vitamin C01 mg
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.112 mg0.854 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.118 mg0.1 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)1.83 mg0.896 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.715 mg0.324 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.528 mg0.247 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)87 µg82 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E01.77 mg
Vitamin K00

Acorns vs Poppy Seeds 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 poppy seeds comparison focuses on their mineral content.

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

Acorns and poppy seeds contain the same amount of fluoride.

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

AcornsPoppy Seeds
Calcium41 mg1440 mg
Copper0.621 mg1.63 mg
Fluoride00
Iron0.79 mg9.76 mg
Magnesium62 mg347 mg
Manganese1.34 mg6.71 mg
Phosphorus79 mg870 mg
Potassium539 mg719 mg
Selenium013.5 µg
Sodium026 mg
Zinc0.51 mg7.9 mg

The Final Word

Acorns and poppy seeds 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 poppy seeds 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.

Sources

Holy Peas has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals, associations and government institutions. Read more about our process.

How we ensure this article is accurate?
  1. It's written and or reviewed by an expert.
  2. We cite relevant studies and trusted sources.
  3. It's regularly updated.

Read more about our process and team.