Broad (Fava) Beans vs Soft Tofu: How Are They Different?

Broad (Fava) Beans and soft tofu belong to the legumes and legume products food group, one of the staple food groups for people on a plant-based diet.

Legumes and most legume products are an affordable source of plant protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins, and minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, and zinc, minerals that are usually harder to get on a plant-based diet.

This article will thoroughly compare broad (fava) beans and soft tofu and help you learn more about their similarities and differences.

Broad (Fava) Beans

Broad beans, also known as fava beans or faba beans (Vicia faba), are a type of legume native to North Africa and the Middle East.

They are a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to their high protein and fiber content, as well as their mild, slightly sweet flavor.

Broad beans are also a good source of several important nutrients, including potassium, iron, and B vitamins.

They can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, such as broad bean soup, dips such as Bigilla, and salads.

In addition to being a nutritious food, broad beans have been shown to have a number of potential health benefits.

They have been linked to lower cholesterol levels and improved blood sugar control, and may also help to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

Broad (Fava) Beans are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) and some Vitamin K.

Soft Tofu

Soft tofu, also known as silken tofu or Japanese-style tofu, is a type of tofu with a softer, more delicate texture than regular tofu.

In comparison to regular tofu, which has a firmer, more dense texture and a pale, beige color, soft tofu has a high moisture content and a creamy, smooth texture, and a pale white or yellow color.

It also has a milder, slightly sweeter taste than regular tofu.

Soft tofu is often used as a substitute for dairy products in recipes such as smoothies, dips, and sauces, and can also be used in soups and stir-fries.

In terms of nutritional value, both soft and regular tofu are good sources of protein, fiber, and several important nutrients, including iron, potassium, and B vitamins.

It has been shown to have a number of potential health benefits, including lower cholesterol levels and improved blood sugar control.

Soft Tofu is not an excellent source of any particular vitamin.

However, it also contains a good amount of Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin B1 (Thiamine).

Broad (Fava) Beans vs Soft Tofu Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing broad (fava) beans vs soft tofu.

This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of broad (fava) beans and soft tofu and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.

Broad (Fava) Beans vs Soft Tofu Calories

Most calories in raw legumes come from carbs. Peanuts are an exception here, but they are often considered a nut instead of a legume because of their nutritional profile.

Comparing soft tofu vs broad (fava) beans for weight loss, soft tofu is slightly lower in calories, with 61 calories per 100 grams, compared to 341 calories per 100 grams of broad (fava) beans.

However, both broad (fava) beans and soft tofu can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.

Broad (Fava) Beans vs Soft Tofu Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including broad (fava) beans and soft tofu, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Broad (Fava) Beans offer around 73% more protein than soft tofu.

Broad (Fava) Beans have 26.1 grams of protein per 100 grams, while soft tofu has 7.2 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Broad (Fava) Beans vs Soft Tofu 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 broad (fava) beans and soft tofu.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 98% higher in broad (fava) beans than in soft tofu. They have 58.3 grams per 100 grams, compared to 1.2 grams in soft tofu.

There’s less sugar in soft tofu than in broad (fava) beans, 88% precisely.

One handful of soft tofu (28 grams) contains 0.2 grams of sugar, while the same amount of broad (fava) beans contains 1.6 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in broad (fava) beans and soft tofu.

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

With 7 grams of fiber per portion, broad (fava) beans are a better source of fiber than soft tofu which broad (fava) beans offer 0.1 grams per portion.

Broad (Fava) Beans vs Soft Tofu Fats

Like most other legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, broad (fava) beans and soft tofu are low in fat.

Fats in broad (fava) beans and soft tofu are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in broad (fava) beans and soft tofu:

• Broad (Fava) Beans: 1.5 grams per 100 grams
• Soft Tofu: 3.7 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, broad (fava) beans are 40% lower in saturated fats.

Broad (Fava) Beans and soft tofu contain 0.3 grams and 0.5 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Broad (Fava) Beans vs Soft Tofu Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of broad (fava) beans and soft tofu.

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

However, soft tofu has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

Broad (Fava) Beans and soft tofu contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins broad (fava) beans and soft tofu contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Broad (Fava) Beans vs Soft Tofu 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 broad (fava) beans and soft tofu comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Broad (Fava) Beans are a better source of calcium, and selenium than soft tofu.

On the other hand, soft tofu is a higher amount of copper, fluoride, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc.

Check out the table below to learn how broad (fava) beans and soft tofu compare when it comes to mineral content.

The Final Word

Broad (Fava) Beans and soft tofu are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both broad (fava) beans and soft tofu are high in specific vitamins and minerals, and including them in your diet will give you the most benefits they offer.

Antioxidants found in beans 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 are 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.