Acorns vs Split Peas: Which Is Healthier?

Although acorns and split peas belong to different food groups, and it’s not that common to compare foods from different groups, people are often interested in these comparisons as well.

While acorns belong to the nuts and seeds group, split peas belong to legumes food group.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares acorns and split peas, their nutritional values, similarities, differences, macronutrients, and micronutrients – vitamins and minerals.

Generally speaking, foods from nuts and seeds group are usually higher in healthy fats and lower in carbs than legumes, but both are valuable addition to a plant-based diet.

Now, let’s see how acorns and split peas compare specifically.

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 is an excellent source of Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).

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

Split Peas

Split peas (Pisum sativum) are a type of legume that are native to the Middle East and have been grown for thousands of years.

They are made by splitting dried peas and removing the outer skin, resulting in a small, round, flat legume that is green or yellow in color.

Split peas are a popular ingredient in many dishes, such as split pea soup, and are highly valued for their nutritional content.

One of the main health benefits of split peas is their high protein content.

They are a good source of plant-based protein, making them a popular choice for vegetarians and vegans.

Split peas are also high in fiber, which can help to improve digestion and lower cholesterol levels.

They are rich in nutrients such as iron, potassium, and B vitamins. They also contain several plant compounds that have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Split Peas are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine).

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

Acorns vs Split Peas 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 split peas.

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

Acorns vs Split Peas Calories

Comparing split peas vs acorns for weight loss, split peas are slightly lower in calories, with 364 calories per 100 grams, compared to 387 calories per 100 grams of acorns.

However, both acorns and split peas can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.

Acorns vs Split Peas Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including acorns and split peas, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Split Peas offer around 73% more protein than acorns.

Split Peas have 23.1 grams of protein per 100 grams, while acorns has 6.2 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Acorns vs Split Peas 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 split peas.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 34% higher in split peas than in acorns. They have 61.6 grams per 100 grams, compared to 40.8 grams in acorns.

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

One handful of acorns (28 grams) contains 0 grams of sugar, while the same amount of split peas contains 0.9 grams.

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

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

With 6.2 grams of fiber per portion, split peas are a better source of fiber than acorns which offer 0 grams per portion.

Acorns vs Split Peas Fats

Fats in acorns and split peas are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in acorns and split peas:

• Acorns: 23.9 grams per 100 grams
• Split Peas: 3.9 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, split peas are 87% lower in saturated fats.

Split Peas and acorns contain 0.4 grams and 3.1 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Acorns vs Split Peas Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of acorns and split peas.

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

Acorns has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

However, split peas have a higher amount of vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and vitamin B9 (Folate).

Acorns and split peas contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

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

Acorns vs Split Peas 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 split peas comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Acorns is a better source of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, and zinc than split peas.

On the other hand, split peas are a higher amount of manganese.

Acorns and split peas contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how acorns and split peas compare when it comes to mineral content.

The Final Word

Acorns and split peas are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

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

Antioxidants found in nuts, seeds and legumes can help to protect cells from damage and may reduce the risk of certain diseases and the effects of aging.

Additionally, the fiber and other nutrients in these foods can support the health of the digestive system and may even help to prevent certain digestive cancers.

Legumes, nuts and seeds are a versatile food that can be incorporated into any meal of the day, including breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They can be served hot or cold, making them a convenient and tasty addition to a variety of dishes.