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Brazil Nuts vs Tempeh: Difference & Similarities

This article explains the key similarities and differences between brazil nuts and tempeh, foods from the grains and legumes food groups. Read on to learn more about the brazil nuts vs tempeh comparison.
Esther Bumpus, Health Writer

Written by Esther Bumpus, Health Writer. Updated on March 20, 2023.

Although brazil nuts and tempeh 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 brazil nuts belong to the nuts and seeds group, tempeh belong to legumes food group.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares brazil nuts and tempeh, 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 brazil nuts and tempeh compare specifically.

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 is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin E.

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

Tempeh

Tempeh is a traditional Indonesian food made from fermented soybeans.

It is a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to its high protein and fiber content, as well as its distinctive, nutty flavor.

Tempeh is made by fermenting cooked soybeans with a starter culture, which gives it a firm, cake-like texture, and a unique flavor.

It can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, including tempeh stir-fries, tempeh sandwiches, and tempeh bacon.

In addition to being a tasty and nutritious food, tempeh has been shown to have a number of potential health benefits.

It is a good source of antioxidants and has been linked to lower levels of cholesterol and improved blood sugar control.

Tempeh is also a good source of several important minerals, including calcium, iron, zinc, and magnesium.

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

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

Brazil Nuts vs Tempeh 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 tempeh.

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

Brazil NutsTempeh
Energy659 kcal192 kcal
Carbs11.74 g7.64 g
Sugar2.33 g7.33 g
Fiber7.5 g9.3 g
Protein14.32 g20.3 g
Fat67.1 g10.8 g
Saturated Fat16.134 g2.54 g

Brazil Nuts vs Tempeh Calories

Comparing tempeh vs brazil nuts for weight loss, tempeh is slightly lower in calories, with 192 calories per 100 grams, compared to 659 calories per 100 grams of brazil nuts.

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

Brazil Nuts vs Tempeh Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including brazil nuts and tempeh, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Tempeh offers around 29% more protein than brazil nuts.

Tempeh has 20.3 grams of protein per 100 grams, while brazil nuts has 14.3 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Brazil Nuts vs Tempeh 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 tempeh.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 35% higher in brazil nuts than in tempeh. It have 11.7 grams per 100 grams, compared to 7.6 grams in tempeh.

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

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

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

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

With 2.6 grams of fiber per portion, tempeh is a better source of fiber than brazil nuts which offers 2.1 grams per portion.

Brazil Nuts vs Tempeh Fats

Fats in brazil nuts and tempeh are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in brazil nuts and tempeh:

  • Brazil Nuts: 67.1 grams per 100 grams
  • Tempeh: 10.8 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, tempeh is 84% lower in saturated fats.

Tempeh and brazil nuts contain 2.5 grams and 16.1 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Brazil Nuts vs Tempeh Vitamins Content

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

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

Brazil Nuts has a higher amount of vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), and vitamin K.

However, tempeh has a higher amount of vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and vitamin E.

Brazil Nuts and tempeh contain the same amount of vitamin A, and vitamin D.

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

Brazil NutsTempeh
Vitamin A00
Vitamin C0.7 mg0
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.617 mg0.078 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.035 mg0.358 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)0.295 mg2.64 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.184 mg0.278 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.101 mg0.215 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)22 µg24 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00.08 µg
Vitamin E5.65 mg0.85 mg
Vitamin K047 µg

Brazil Nuts vs Tempeh 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 tempeh comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Brazil Nuts is a better source of fluoride, iron, manganese, and sodium than tempeh.

On the other hand, tempeh is a higher amount of calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and zinc.

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

Brazil NutsTempeh
Calcium160 mg111 mg
Copper1.743 mg0.56 mg
Fluoride02.2 µg
Iron2.43 mg2.7 mg
Magnesium376 mg81 mg
Manganese1.223 mg1.3 mg
Phosphorus725 mg266 mg
Potassium659 mg412 mg
Selenium1917 µg0
Sodium3 mg9 mg
Zinc4.06 mg1.14 mg

The Final Word

Brazil Nuts and tempeh are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both brazil nuts and tempeh 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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