Amaranth vs Spelt: How To Choose?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between amaranth and spelt, foods from the grains food group. Read on to learn more about the amaranth vs spelt comparison.
Dennis Gillett, Health & Fitness Writer

Written by Dennis Gillett, Health & Fitness Writer. Updated on February 1, 2023.

Amaranth and spelt belong to the grains food group, one of the staple food groups for people on a plant-based diet.

Grains and grain products are an affordable source of carbohydrates, as well as essential vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins (such as thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin), iron, and zinc, minerals that are usually harder to get on a plant-based diet.

They also provide a small amount of protein and healthy fats.

However, it is important to note that whole grains are generally a better source of these nutrients than refined grains.

This article will thoroughly compare amaranth and spelt and help you learn more about their similarities and differences.

Amaranth

Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is a group of annual plants that are native to Central and South America.

It is a good source of carbohydrates, dietary fibers, and small amounts of vitamins and minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, and B vitamins. It is also gluten-free and easy to digest, making it a great option for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Amaranth is an ancient grain that has been used for centuries in traditional cuisine and has a nutty and slightly earthy flavor. It can be used as a side dish, added to soups and stews, ground into flour and used in baking, or popped like popcorn. It is also a valuable food source for people in its native regions, particularly in Mexico and Peru.

Amaranth is considered a functional food, as it has been shown to have a positive impact on health when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet. It is also a sustainable crop, as it is drought-tolerant and can be grown in poor soil conditions.

Amaranth is an excellent source of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).

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

Spelt

Spelt (Triticum spelta) is an ancient type of wheat that is believed to have originated in the Near East.

It is a good source of carbohydrates, dietary fibers, and small amounts of vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, and B-vitamins. It is also rich in antioxidants and protein, making it a valuable food for vegetarians and vegans.

Spelt is commonly used in baking, particularly in traditional dishes such as bread and pasta. It has a nutty and slightly sweet flavor and can be used as a substitute for wheat flour in most recipes. It is also gluten-free and easy to digest, making it a great option for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Spelt is considered a functional food, as it has been shown to have a positive impact on health when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet. It is also a sustainable crop, as it can be grown in poor soil conditions and is resistant to pests and diseases.

Spelt is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B3 (Niacin).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin E.

Amaranth vs Spelt Nutrition

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

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

AmaranthSpelt
Energy371 kcal338 kcal
Carbs65.2 g70.2 g
Sugar1.69 g6.82 g
Fiber6.7 g10.7 g
Protein13.6 g14.6 g
Fat7.02 g2.43 g
Saturated Fat1.46 g0.406 g

Amaranth vs Spelt Calories

Most calories in grains come from carbs.

Comparing spelt vs amaranth for weight loss, spelt is slightly lower in calories, with 338 calories per 100 grams, compared to 371 calories per 100 grams of amaranth.

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

Amaranth vs Spelt Protein

Grains and most grain products, including amaranth and spelt, are important sources of plant-based protein.

However, it should be noted that most grains, with the exception of quinoa and buckwheat, for example, are low in lysine and methionine.

That said, you can combine grains with legumes to get a complete protein.

Spelt offers around 7% more protein than amaranth.

Spelt has 14.6 grams of protein per 100 grams, while amaranth has 13.6 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Amaranth vs Spelt 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 amaranth and spelt.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 7% higher in spelt than in amaranth. It has 70.2 grams per 100 grams, compared to 65.2 grams in amaranth.

There’s less sugar in amaranth than in spelt, 75% precisely.

That said, 100 grams of amaranth contains 1.7 grams of sugar, while the same amount of spelt contains 6.8 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in amaranth and spelt.

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

With 10.7 grams of fiber per 100 grams, spelt is a better source of fiber than amaranth which offers 6.7 grams per 100 gram portion.

Amaranth vs Spelt Fats

Like most other grains, amaranth and spelt are low in fat.

Fats in amaranth and spelt are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in amaranth and spelt:

  • Amaranth: 7 grams per 100 grams
  • Spelt: 2.4 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, spelt is 73% lower in saturated fats.

Spelt and amaranth contain 0.4 grams and 1.5 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Amaranth vs Spelt Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of amaranth and spelt.

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

Amaranth has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B3 (Niacin), and vitamin K.

However, spelt has a higher amount of vitamin C, vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin E.

Amaranth and spelt contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

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

AmaranthSpelt
Vitamin A2 IU10 IU
Vitamin C4.2 mg0
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.116 mg0.364 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.2 mg0.113 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)0.923 mg6.84 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)1.46 mg1.07 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.591 mg0.23 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)82 µg45 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E1.19 mg0.79 mg
Vitamin K03.6 µg

Amaranth vs Spelt 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 amaranth and spelt comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Amaranth is a better source of sodium, and zinc than spelt.

On the other hand, spelt is a higher amount of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium.

Amaranth and spelt contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how amaranth and spelt compare when it comes to mineral content.

AmaranthSpelt
Calcium159 mg27 mg
Copper0.525 mg0.511 mg
Fluoride00
Iron7.61 mg4.44 mg
Magnesium248 mg136 mg
Manganese3.33 mg2.98 mg
Phosphorus557 mg401 mg
Potassium508 mg388 mg
Selenium18.7 µg11.7 µg
Sodium4 mg8 mg
Zinc2.87 mg3.28 mg

The Final Word

This article highlighted the similarities and differences between amaranth and spelt.

Grains, also known as cereal grains, are an important source of nutrition for many people around the world. They are a rich source of carbohydrates, which provide energy for the body.

Whole grains contain important vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins and iron. Whole grains, in particular, are high in dietary fiber and can help with digestion and weight management.

They may also have other health benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Grains are also a staple food and an important source of food security in many parts of the world.

Sources

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