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Brazil Nuts vs Pistachios: How Do They Compare?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between brazil nuts and pistachios, foods from the nuts and seeds group. Read on to learn more about the brazil nuts vs pistachios comparison.
Catherine Toledo, Journalist

Written by Catherine Toledo, Journalist. Updated on January 6, 2023.

Brazil Nuts and pistachios 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 brazil nuts and pistachios and compare their similarities and differences.

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

Brazil Nuts

Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa) are a type of nut that is native to the Amazon rainforest in South America.

These nuts have a slightly sweet and slightly nutty flavor, and are often used in both sweet and savory dishes.

Brazil nuts 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 Brazil nuts into your diet.

They can be eaten raw or roasted, and are often used in baking or as a topping for salads and other dishes. Brazil nuts are also available in a variety of forms, including whole, chopped, and ground into flour.

Brazil nuts are widely available and can be found at most grocery stores. They are often sold roasted or raw, and can be purchased with or without the shell.

If you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious nut to add to your diet, consider giving Brazil nuts a try.

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

Brazil Nuts are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin E.

They also contain Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) in a small amount.

Pistachios

Pistachios (Pistacia vera) are a type of nut that is native to the Middle East and are now grown in many parts of the world.

These nuts have a slightly sweet and slightly nutty flavor and are often used in sweet and savory dishes.

Pistachios 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 pistachios into your diet. They can be eaten raw or roasted, and are often used in baking or as a topping for salads and other dishes. Pistachios are also available in various forms, including whole, chopped, and ground into flour.

Pistachios are widely available and can be found at most grocery stores. They are often sold roasted or raw and can be purchased with or without the shell.

If you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious nut to add to your diet, consider giving pistachios a try. They are flavorful, versatile, and have a variety of health benefits.

Pistachios are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).

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

Brazil Nuts vs Pistachios Nutrition

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

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

Brazil NutsPistachios
Energy659 kcal560 kcal
Carbs11.74 g27.2 g
Sugar2.33 g7.66 g
Fiber7.5 g10.6 g
Protein14.32 g20.2 g
Fat67.1 g45.3 g
Saturated Fat16.134 g5.91 g

Brazil Nuts vs Pistachios Calories

Nuts and seeds are generally high in calories; the same goes for brazil nuts and pistachios, 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 pistachios vs brazil nuts for weight loss, pistachios are slightly lower in calories, with 157 calories per serving, compared to 185 calories per serving of brazil nuts.

However, both brazil nuts and pistachios 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.

Brazil Nuts vs Pistachios Protein

Nuts and seeds, including brazil nuts and pistachios, are an important source of plant-based protein.

Pistachios offer around 30% more protein than brazil nuts.

Pistachios have 20.2 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 5.7g per serving), while brazil nuts have 14.3 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 4g per serving).

Brazil Nuts vs Pistachios 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 brazil nuts and pistachios.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 57% higher in pistachios than in brazil nuts. They have 27.2 grams per 100 grams, compared to 11.7 grams in brazil nuts.

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There’s less sugar in brazil nuts than in pistachios, 67% precisely.

One handful of brazil nuts (28 grams) contains 0.7 grams of sugar, while the same amount of pistachios contains 2.1 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in brazil nuts and pistachios.

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

With 3 grams of fiber per portion, pistachios are a better source of fiber than brazil nuts which offer 2.1 grams per portion.

Brazil Nuts vs Pistachios Fats

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

Total fat in brazil nuts and pistachios:

  • Brazil Nuts: 67.1 grams per 100 grams
  • Pistachios: 45.3 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, pistachios are 63% lower in saturated fats.

Pistachios and brazil nuts contain 5.9 grams and 16.1 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Brazil Nuts vs Pistachios Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of brazil nuts and pistachios.

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

Brazil Nuts have a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and vitamin B9 (Folate).

However, pistachios have a higher amount of vitamin E.

Brazil Nuts and pistachios contain the same amount of vitamin D, vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), and vitamin K.

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

Brazil NutsPistachios
Vitamin A0516 IU
Vitamin C0.7 mg5.6 mg
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.617 mg0.87 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.035 mg0.16 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)0.295 mg1.3 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.184 mg0.52 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.101 mg1.7 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)22 µg51 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E5.65 mg2.86 mg
Vitamin K00

Brazil Nuts vs Pistachios 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 brazil nuts and pistachios comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Brazil Nuts are a better source of fluoride, iron, and potassium than pistachios.

On the other hand, pistachios have a higher amount of calcium, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, and zinc.

Check out the table below to learn how brazil nuts and pistachios compare when it comes to mineral contents.

Brazil NutsPistachios
Calcium160 mg105 mg
Copper1.743 mg1.3 mg
Fluoride03.4 µg
Iron2.43 mg3.92 mg
Magnesium376 mg121 mg
Manganese1.223 mg1.2 mg
Phosphorus725 mg490 mg
Potassium659 mg1020 mg
Selenium1917 µg7 µg
Sodium3 mg1 mg
Zinc4.06 mg2.2 mg

The Final Word

Brazil Nuts and pistachios 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 brazil nuts and pistachios 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

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