• Home
  • Guides
  • Brazil Nuts vs Walnuts: What’s The Difference?

Brazil Nuts vs Walnuts: What’s The Difference?

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

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

Brazil Nuts and walnuts 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 walnuts 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.

Walnuts

Walnuts (Juglans regia) are a type of nut that is native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

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

Walnuts 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 walnuts 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.

Walnuts are also available in various forms, including whole, chopped, and ground into flour.

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

Walnuts are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

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

Brazil Nuts vs Walnuts 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 walnuts.

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

Brazil NutsWalnuts
Energy659 kcal654 kcal
Carbs11.74 g13.7 g
Sugar2.33 g2.61 g
Fiber7.5 g6.7 g
Protein14.32 g15.2 g
Fat67.1 g65.2 g
Saturated Fat16.134 g6.13 g

Brazil Nuts vs Walnuts Calories

Nuts and seeds are generally high in calories; the same goes for brazil nuts and walnuts, 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 walnuts vs brazil nuts for weight loss, walnuts are slightly lower in calories, with 183 calories per serving, compared to 185 calories per serving of brazil nuts.

However, both brazil nuts and walnuts 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 Walnuts Protein

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

Walnuts offer around 7% more protein than brazil nuts.

Walnuts have 15.2 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 4.3g per serving), while brazil nuts have 14.3 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 4g per serving).

Brazil Nuts vs Walnuts 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 walnuts.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 15% higher in walnuts than in brazil nuts. They have 13.7 grams per 100 grams, compared to 11.7 grams in brazil nuts.

?>

One handful of brazil nuts and walnuts (28 grams) contains 0.7 grams of sugar, the same amount.

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

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

With 2.1 grams of fiber per portion, brazil nuts are a better source of fiber than walnuts which offer 1.9 grams per portion.

Brazil Nuts vs Walnuts Fats

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

Total fat in brazil nuts and walnuts:

  • Brazil Nuts: 67.1 grams per 100 grams
  • Walnuts: 65.2 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, walnuts are 62% lower in saturated fats.

Walnuts and brazil nuts contain 6.1 grams and 16.1 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Brazil Nuts vs Walnuts Vitamins Content

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

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 B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin K.

However, walnuts have a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and vitamin E.

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

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

Brazil NutsWalnuts
Vitamin A020 IU
Vitamin C0.7 mg1.3 mg
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.617 mg0.341 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.035 mg0.15 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)0.295 mg1.12 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.184 mg0.57 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.101 mg0.537 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)22 µg98 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E5.65 mg0.7 mg
Vitamin K02.7 µg

Brazil Nuts vs Walnuts 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 walnuts comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Brazil Nuts are a better source of iron, and manganese than walnuts.

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

Brazil Nuts and walnuts contain the same amount of fluoride.

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

Brazil NutsWalnuts
Calcium160 mg98 mg
Copper1.743 mg1.59 mg
Fluoride00
Iron2.43 mg2.91 mg
Magnesium376 mg158 mg
Manganese1.223 mg3.41 mg
Phosphorus725 mg346 mg
Potassium659 mg441 mg
Selenium1917 µg4.9 µg
Sodium3 mg2 mg
Zinc4.06 mg3.09 mg

The Final Word

Brazil Nuts and walnuts 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 walnuts 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

Holy Peas has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals, associations and government institutions. Read more about our process.

How we ensure this article is accurate?
  1. It's written and or reviewed by an expert.
  2. We cite relevant studies and trusted sources.
  3. It's regularly updated.

Read more about our process and team.