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Buckwheat groats vs Teff: Which Is Healthier?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between buckwheat groats and teff, foods from the grains food group. Read on to learn more about the buckwheat groats vs teff comparison.
Michael Whaley, Health Writer

Written by Michael Whaley, Health Writer. Updated on February 2, 2023.

Buckwheat groats and teff 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 buckwheat groats and teff and help you learn more about their similarities and differences.

Buckwheat groats

Buckwheat groats (Fagopyrum esculentum) are the hulled seeds of the buckwheat plant, which is not related to wheat, despite its name. They are triangular in shape and have a nutty, earthy flavor.

Buckwheat groats are a good source of carbohydrates, dietary fibers, and small amounts of vitamins and minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, and B vitamins. They are also a good source of protein and antioxidants, making them a valuable food for vegetarians and vegans.

Buckwheat groats can be used as a side dish added to soups and stews or ground into flour and used in baking. They are also gluten-free and easy to digest, making them a great option for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Buckwheat groats are considered a functional food, as they have been shown to positively impact health when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet. They are also a sustainable crop, as they can be grown in poor soil conditions and are resistant to pests and diseases.

Buckwheat groats is an excellent source of Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin E.

Teff

Teff (Eragrostis tef) is a small, gluten-free ancient grain that is native to Ethiopia and Eritrea.

It is a good source of iron, calcium, zinc, and B vitamins like niacin and thiamin. It is also a good source of dietary fiber, protein, and essential amino acids.

Teff has been linked to various health benefits, including improved blood sugar control and weight management. It is also gluten-free and easy to digest, making it a great option for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Teff can be cooked and eaten as a porridge, added to soups and stews, or ground into flour to make bread, pancakes, and other baked goods. It can also be used as a replacement for grains like quinoa, millet, or oats in recipes.

Teff is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid).

Buckwheat groats vs Teff Nutrition

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

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

Buckwheat groatsTeff
Energy346 kcal367 kcal
Carbs75 g73.13 g
Sugar1.69 g1.84 g
Fiber10.3 g8 g
Protein11.7 g13.3 g
Fat2.71 g2.38 g
Saturated Fat0.591 g0.449 g

Buckwheat groats vs Teff Calories

Most calories in grains come from carbs.

Comparing buckwheat groats vs teff for weight loss, buckwheat groats is slightly lower in calories, with 346 calories per 100 grams, compared to 367 calories per 100 grams of teff.

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

Buckwheat groats vs Teff Protein

Grains and most grain products, including buckwheat groats and teff, 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.

Teff offers around 12% more protein than buckwheat groats.

Teff has 13.3 grams of protein per 100 grams, while buckwheat groats has 11.7 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Buckwheat groats vs Teff 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 buckwheat groats and teff.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 3% higher in buckwheat groats than in teff. It has 75 grams per 100 grams, compared to 73.1 grams in teff.

There’s less sugar in buckwheat groats than in teff, 6% precisely.

That said, 100 grams of buckwheat groats contains 1.7 grams of sugar, while the same amount of teff contains 1.8 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in buckwheat groats and teff.

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

With 10.3 grams of fiber per 100 grams, buckwheat groats is a better source of fiber than teff which buckwheat groats offers 8 grams per 100 gram portion.

Buckwheat groats vs Teff Fats

Like most other grains, buckwheat groats and teff are low in fat.

Fats in buckwheat groats and teff are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in buckwheat groats and teff:

  • Buckwheat groats: 2.7 grams per 100 grams
  • Teff: 2.4 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, teff is 33% lower in saturated fats.

Teff and buckwheat groats contain 0.4 grams and 0.6 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Buckwheat groats vs Teff Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of buckwheat groats and teff.

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

Buckwheat groats has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and vitamin K.

However, teff has a higher amount of vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin E.

Buckwheat groats and teff contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

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

Buckwheat groatsTeff
Vitamin A09 IU
Vitamin C00
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.224 mg0.39 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.271 mg0.27 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)5.14 mg3.363 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)1.23 mg0.942 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.353 mg0.482 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)42 µg0
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E1.19 mg0.08 mg
Vitamin K01.9 µg

Buckwheat groats vs Teff 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 buckwheat groats and teff comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Buckwheat groats is a better source of calcium, copper, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc than teff.

On the other hand, teff is a higher amount of magnesium, and selenium.

Buckwheat groats and teff contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how buckwheat groats and teff compare when it comes to mineral content.

Buckwheat groatsTeff
Calcium17 mg180 mg
Copper0.624 mg0.81 mg
Fluoride00
Iron2.47 mg7.63 mg
Magnesium221 mg184 mg
Manganese1.62 mg9.24 mg
Phosphorus319 mg429 mg
Potassium320 mg427 mg
Selenium8.4 µg4.4 µg
Sodium11 mg12 mg
Zinc2.42 mg3.63 mg

The Final Word

This article highlighted the similarities and differences between buckwheat groats and teff.

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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