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Chickpeas vs Pinto Beans: How Are They Different?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between chickpeas and pinto beans, foods from the legumes and legume product group. Read on to learn more about the chickpeas vs pinto beans comparison.
Dennis Gillett, Health & Fitness Writer

Written by Dennis Gillett, Health & Fitness Writer. Updated on January 11, 2023.

Chickpeas and pinto beans 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 chickpeas and pinto beans and help you learn more about their similarities and differences.

Chickpeas

Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) are a type of legume that are native to the Middle East and Mediterranean region.

They are a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to their high protein and fiber content and their versatility in cooking.

Chickpeas can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, including hummus, falafel, and curry, and can also be ground into flour and used in baked goods such as bread and cookies.

Chickpea pasta is also available.

In addition to being a tasty and nutritious food, chickpeas have been shown to have a number of potential health benefits.

They are a good source of antioxidants, and have been linked to lower levels of cholesterol and improved blood sugar control.

Chickpeas are also a good source of several important minerals, including iron, zinc, and magnesium, all important nutrients for vegans.

Chickpeas are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin B3 (Niacin) and some Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K.

Pinto Beans

Pinto beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are a type of legume native to Central and South America.

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

Pinto 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 pinto bean soup, chili, and salads.

In addition to being a nutritious food, pinto 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.

Pinto Beans 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 C, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin K.

Chickpeas vs Pinto Beans Nutrition

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

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

ChickpeasPinto Beans
Energy378 kcal347 kcal
Carbs63 g62.6 g
Sugar10.7 g2.11 g
Fiber12.2 g15.5 g
Protein20.5 g21.4 g
Fat6.04 g1.23 g
Saturated Fat0.603 g0.235 g

Chickpeas vs Pinto Beans 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 pinto beans vs chickpeas for weight loss, pinto beans are slightly lower in calories, with 347 calories per 100 grams, compared to 378 calories per 100 grams of chickpeas.

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

Chickpeas vs Pinto Beans Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including chickpeas and pinto beans, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Pinto Beans offer around 4% more protein than chickpeas.

Pinto Beans have 21.4 grams of protein per 100 grams, while chickpeas have 20.5 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Chickpeas vs Pinto Beans 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 chickpeas and pinto beans.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 1% higher in chickpeas than in pinto beans. They have 63 grams per 100 grams, compared to 62.6 grams in pinto beans.

There’s less sugar in pinto beans than in chickpeas, 80% precisely.

One handful of pinto beans (28 grams) contains 0.6 grams of sugar, while the same amount of chickpeas contains 3 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in chickpeas and pinto beans.

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

With 4.3 grams of fiber per portion, pinto beans are a better source of fiber than chickpeas which offer 3.4 grams per portion.

Chickpeas vs Pinto Beans Fats

Like most other legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, chickpeas and pinto beans are low in fat.

Fats in chickpeas and pinto beans are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in chickpeas and pinto beans:

  • Chickpeas: 6 grams per 100 grams
  • Pinto Beans: 1.2 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, pinto beans are 67% lower in saturated fats.

Pinto Beans and chickpeas contain 0.2 grams and 0.6 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Chickpeas vs Pinto Beans Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of chickpeas and pinto beans.

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

Chickpeas have a higher amount of vitamin C, and vitamin B1 (Thiamine).

However, pinto beans have a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

Chickpeas and pinto beans contain the same amount of vitamin D, vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins chickpeas and pinto beans contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

ChickpeasPinto Beans
Vitamin A67 IU0
Vitamin C4 mg6.3 mg
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.477 mg0.713 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.212 mg0.212 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)1.54 mg1.17 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)1.59 mg0.785 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.535 mg0.474 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)557 µg525 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E0.82 mg0.21 mg
Vitamin K9 µg5.6 µg

Chickpeas vs Pinto Beans 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 chickpeas and pinto beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Chickpeas are a better source of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium than pinto beans.

On the other hand, pinto beans are a higher amount of manganese, sodium, and zinc.

Chickpeas and pinto beans contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how chickpeas and pinto beans compare when it comes to mineral content.

ChickpeasPinto Beans
Calcium57 mg113 mg
Copper0.656 mg0.893 mg
Fluoride2.2 µg2.2 µg
Iron4.31 mg5.07 mg
Magnesium79 mg176 mg
Manganese21.3 mg1.15 mg
Phosphorus252 mg411 mg
Potassium718 mg1390 mg
Selenium027.9 µg
Sodium24 mg12 mg
Zinc2.76 mg2.28 mg

The Final Word

Chickpeas and pinto beans are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both chickpeas and pinto beans 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.

Sources

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