Chickpea Flour vs Pink or Red Lentils: How To Choose?

Chickpea Flour and pink or red lentils 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 chickpea flour and pink or red lentils and help you learn more about their similarities and differences.

Chickpea Flour

Chickpea flour, also known as gram flour or besan, is a type of flour made from ground, dried chickpeas.

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

Chickpea flour is a good source of several important nutrients, including potassium, iron, and B vitamins.

It can be used in a variety of dishes, including breads, pancakes, and fritters, and is also a key ingredient in traditional dishes such as falafel and socca.

There’s also a pasta made of chickpea flour. Check out how chickpea pasta compares to a regular pasta.

In addition to being a nutritious food, chickpea flour 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.

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

Chickpea Flour is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

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

Pink or Red Lentils

Pink or red lentils (Lens culinaris) are a type of legume native to Southwest Asia.

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 nutty flavor.

Pink and red lentils 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 lentil soup, curry, and all types of salads.

In addition to being a nutritious food, pink and red lentils 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.

Pink or Red Lentils are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B9 (Folate), and Vitamin K.

They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin E and some Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid).

Chickpea Flour vs Pink or Red Lentils Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing chickpea flour vs pink or red lentils.

This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of chickpea flour and pink or red lentils and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.

Chickpea Flour vs Pink or Red Lentils 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 pink or red lentils vs chickpea flour for weight loss, pink or red lentils are slightly lower in calories, with 358 calories per 100 grams, compared to 387 calories per 100 grams of chickpea flour.

However, both chickpea flour and pink or red lentils can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.

Chickpea Flour vs Pink or Red Lentils Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including chickpea flour and pink or red lentils, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Pink or Red Lentils offer around 6% more protein than chickpea flour.

Pink or Red Lentils have 23.9 grams of protein per 100 grams, while chickpea flour has 22.4 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Chickpea Flour vs Pink or Red Lentils 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 chickpea flour and pink or red lentils.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 8% higher in pink or red lentils than in chickpea flour. They have 63.1 grams per 100 grams, compared to 57.8 grams in chickpea flour.

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There’s less sugar in pink or red lentils than in chickpea flour, 30% precisely.

One handful of pink or red lentils (28 grams) contains 2.1 grams of sugar, while the same amount of chickpea flour contains 3 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in chickpea flour and pink or red lentils.

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

Chickpea Flour and pink or red lentils contain the same amount of fiber, 3 grams per portion.

Chickpea Flour vs Pink or Red Lentils Fats

Like most other legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, chickpea flour and pink or red lentils are low in fat.

Fats in chickpea flour and pink or red lentils are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in chickpea flour and pink or red lentils:

• Chickpea Flour: 6.7 grams per 100 grams
• Pink or Red Lentils: 2.2 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, pink or red lentils are 43% lower in saturated fats.

Pink or Red Lentils and chickpea flour contain 0.4 grams and 0.7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Chickpea Flour vs Pink or Red Lentils Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of chickpea flour and pink or red lentils.

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

Chickpea Flour has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

However, pink or red lentils have a higher amount of vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and vitamin B9 (Folate).

Chickpea Flour and pink or red lentils contain the same amount of vitamin D, vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins chickpea flour and pink or red lentils contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Chickpea Flour vs Pink or Red Lentils 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 chickpea flour and pink or red lentils comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Chickpea Flour is a better source of calcium, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc than pink or red lentils.

On the other hand, pink or red lentils are a higher amount of magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and sodium.

Chickpea Flour and pink or red lentils contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how chickpea flour and pink or red lentils compare when it comes to mineral content.

The Final Word

Chickpea Flour and pink or red lentils are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both chickpea flour and pink or red lentils 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.