Chestnuts vs Hemp Seeds: Which Is Better?

Chestnuts and hemp seeds 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 chestnuts and hemp seeds and compare their similarities and differences.

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

Chestnuts

Chestnuts (Castanea spp.) are a nut native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

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

Chestnuts are a good source of nutrients, including protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

They are lower in fat and calories compared to many other nuts and are a good source of complex carbohydrates, making them a good choice for those watching their carbohydrate intake.

There are many ways to incorporate chestnuts into your diet. They can be eaten raw or roasted and are often peeled and cooked before use.

Chestnuts are often used in sweet dishes, such as chestnut puree or chestnut flour, and used to make chestnut bread or pastries.

They can also be used in savory dishes, such as chestnut stuffing or soup.

Chestnuts are available fresh or canned and are often sold peeled or unpeeled. It is important to store chestnuts in the refrigerator or freezer to keep them fresh, as they can become rancid quickly.

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

They are versatile, flavorful, and can be easily incorporated into various dishes.

Chestnuts are an excellent source of Vitamin C.

They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin A, and Vitamin B3 (Niacin).

Hemp Seeds

Hemp seeds (Cannabis sativa) are small, nutty seeds that come from the hemp plant.

These seeds have gained popularity recently as a health food due to their high protein and nutrient content.

Hemp seeds have a slightly nutty and slightly earthy flavor and can be eaten raw or roasted.

They can be added to a variety of dishes, including smoothies, cereals, and baked goods, or used as a topping for salads and other dishes.

Hemp seeds are also available in oil form, which can be used in cooking or as a salad dressing.

They are a good source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. They are also a good source of various vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, and vitamin E.

Hemp seeds are considered safe for most people to eat. However, it is important to note that they can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.

If you are allergic to other types of nuts or seeds, it is advisable to be cautious when introducing hemp seeds into your diet.

Overall, hemp seeds are a nutritious and versatile food that can be valuable to a plant-based diet.

If you’re looking to add more protein and healthy fats to your diet, consider giving hemp seeds a try.

Hemp Seeds are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) and some Vitamin E.

Chestnuts vs Hemp Seeds Nutrition

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

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

Chestnuts vs Hemp Seeds Calories

Nuts and seeds are generally high in calories; the same goes for chestnuts and hemp seeds, 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 chestnuts vs hemp seeds for weight loss, chestnuts are slightly lower in calories, with 63 calories per serving, compared to 155 calories per serving of hemp seeds.

However, both chestnuts and hemp seeds 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.

Chestnuts vs Hemp Seeds Protein

Nuts and seeds, including chestnuts and hemp seeds, are an important source of plant-based protein.

Hemp Seeds offer around 86% more protein than chestnuts.

Hemp Seeds have 31.6 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 8.8g per serving), while chestnuts have 4.2 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 1.2g per serving).

Chestnuts vs Hemp Seeds 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 chestnuts and hemp seeds.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 82% higher in chestnuts than in hemp seeds. They have 49.1 grams per 100 grams, compared to 8.7 grams in hemp seeds.

There’s less sugar in chestnuts than in hemp seeds, 100% precisely.

One handful of chestnuts (28 grams) contains 0 grams of sugar, while the same amount of hemp seeds contains 0.4 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in chestnuts and hemp seeds.

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

With 1.1 grams of fiber per portion, hemp seeds are a better source of fiber than chestnuts which offer 0 grams per portion.

Chestnuts vs Hemp Seeds Fats

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

Total fat in chestnuts and hemp seeds:

• Chestnuts: 1.1 grams per 100 grams
• Hemp Seeds: 48.8 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, chestnuts are 96% lower in saturated fats.

Chestnuts and hemp seeds contain 0.2 grams and 4.6 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Chestnuts vs Hemp Seeds Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of chestnuts and hemp seeds.

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

Chestnuts have a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin E.

However, hemp seeds have a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid).

Chestnuts and hemp seeds contain the same amount of vitamin D, vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), and vitamin K.

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins chestnuts and hemp seeds contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Chestnuts vs Hemp Seeds 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 chestnuts and hemp seeds comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Chestnuts are a better source of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc than hemp seeds.

Chestnuts and hemp seeds contain the same amount of fluoride, and selenium.

Check out the table below to learn how chestnuts and hemp seeds compare when it comes to mineral contents.

The Final Word

Chestnuts and hemp seeds 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 chestnuts and hemp seeds 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.