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Almonds vs Defatted Soy Meal: Which Is Better?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between almonds and defatted soy meal, foods from the grains and legumes food groups. Read on to learn more about the almonds vs defatted soy meal comparison.
Michael Whaley, Health Writer

Written by Michael Whaley, Health Writer. Updated on March 15, 2023.

Although almonds and defatted soy meal 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 almonds belong to the nuts and seeds group, defatted soy meal belong to legumes food group.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares almonds and defatted soy meal, 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 almonds and defatted soy meal compare specifically.

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

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

Defatted Soy Meal

Soy meal, also known as defatted soy flour, is a byproduct of the production of soy oil.

It is made by grinding the remaining solids (after the oil has been extracted) into a fine powder.

Soy meal is a good source of plant-based protein and is commonly used as a protein supplement in animal feed and as an ingredient in a variety of food products.

One of the main health benefits of soy meal is its high protein content. Soybeans, from which soy meal is made, are a good source of plant-based protein, making soy meal a popular choice for vegetarians and vegans.

Soy meal is also rich in a number of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

It is also a good source of fiber, which can help to improve digestion and lower cholesterol levels.

In terms of health benefits, soy meal has been shown to have a number of positive effects on the body.

It is a good source of isoflavones, plant compounds that have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Some studies have also suggested that soy meal may have a positive effect on bone health, due to its high calcium content.

Defatted Soy Meal is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin K.

Almonds vs Defatted Soy Meal Nutrition

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

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

AlmondsDefatted Soy Meal
Energy579 kcal337 kcal
Carbs21.6 g35.9 g
Sugar4.35 g6.2 g
Fiber12.5 g5.4 g
Protein21.2 g49.2 g
Fat49.9 g2.39 g
Saturated Fat3.8 g0.268 g

Almonds vs Defatted Soy Meal Calories

Comparing defatted soy meal vs almonds for weight loss, defatted soy meal is slightly lower in calories, with 337 calories per 100 grams, compared to 579 calories per 100 grams of almonds.

However, both almonds and defatted soy meal can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.

Almonds vs Defatted Soy Meal Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including almonds and defatted soy meal, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Defatted Soy Meal offers around 57% more protein than almonds.

Defatted Soy Meal has 49.2 grams of protein per 100 grams, while almonds has 21.2 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Almonds vs Defatted Soy Meal 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 almonds and defatted soy meal.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 40% higher in defatted soy meal than in almonds. It have 35.9 grams per 100 grams, compared to 21.6 grams in almonds.

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There’s less sugar in almonds than in defatted soy meal, 29% precisely.

One handful of almonds (28 grams) contains 1.2 grams of sugar, while the same amount of defatted soy meal contains 1.7 grams.

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

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 is a better source of fiber than defatted soy meal which almonds offers 1.5 grams per portion.

Almonds vs Defatted Soy Meal Fats

Fats in almonds and defatted soy meal are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in almonds and defatted soy meal:

  • Almonds: 49.9 grams per 100 grams
  • Defatted Soy Meal: 2.4 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, defatted soy meal is 92% lower in saturated fats.

Defatted Soy Meal and almonds contain 0.3 grams and 3.8 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Almonds vs Defatted Soy Meal Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of almonds and defatted soy meal.

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

Almonds has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin K.

However, defatted soy meal has a higher amount of vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), and vitamin E.

Almonds and defatted soy meal contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

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

AlmondsDefatted Soy Meal
Vitamin A2 IU40 IU
Vitamin C00
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.205 mg0.691 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)1.14 mg0.251 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)3.62 mg2.59 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.471 mg1.98 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.137 mg0.569 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)44 µg303 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E25.6 mg0.01 mg
Vitamin K029.3 µg

Almonds vs Defatted Soy Meal 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 almonds and defatted soy meal comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Almonds is a better source of copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc than defatted soy meal.

On the other hand, defatted soy meal is a higher amount of calcium, and selenium.

Almonds and defatted soy meal contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how almonds and defatted soy meal compare when it comes to mineral content.

AlmondsDefatted Soy Meal
Calcium269 mg244 mg
Copper1.03 mg2 mg
Fluoride00
Iron3.71 mg13.7 mg
Magnesium270 mg306 mg
Manganese2.18 mg3.8 mg
Phosphorus481 mg701 mg
Potassium733 mg2490 mg
Selenium4.1 µg3.3 µg
Sodium1 mg3 mg
Zinc3.12 mg5.06 mg

The Final Word

Almonds and defatted soy meal are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both almonds and defatted soy meal 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.

Sources

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How we ensure this article is accurate?
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