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Coconut Meat vs Broad (Fava) Beans: How Do They Compare?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between coconut meat and broad (fava) beans, foods from the grains and legumes food groups. Read on to learn more about the coconut meat vs broad (fava) beans comparison.
Michael Whaley, Health Writer

Written by Michael Whaley, Health Writer. Updated on March 9, 2023.

Although coconut meat and broad (fava) beans belong to different food groups, and it’s not that common to compare foods from different groups, people are often interested in these comparisons as well.

While coconut meat belong to the nuts and seeds group, broad (fava) beans belong to legumes food group.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares coconut meat and broad (fava) beans, their nutritional values, similarities, differences, macronutrients, and micronutrients – vitamins and minerals.

Generally speaking, foods from nuts and seeds group are usually higher in healthy fats and lower in carbs than legumes, but both are valuable addition to a plant-based diet.

Now, let’s see how coconut meat and broad (fava) beans compare specifically.

Coconut Meat

Coconut meat is the white, fleshy part of the coconut that is found inside the hard outer shell of the fruit.

Coconut meat has a slightly sweet and slightly nutty flavor and is often used in various sweet and savory dishes.

Coconut meat is a good source of nutrients, including fiber, protein, and various vitamins and minerals.

It is also a good source of healthy fats, including medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are easily absorbed and used by the body for energy.

There are many ways to incorporate coconut meat into your diet. It can be eaten raw or used in cooking to replace other types of meat.

Coconut meat can be grated, shredded, or chopped and is often used in dishes such as curries, soups, and desserts.

Coconut meat is available in various forms, including dried, frozen, and canned.

Coconut meat is widely available and can be found at most grocery stores. It is important to store coconut meat in the refrigerator or freezer to keep it fresh.

If you’re looking for tasty and nutritious food to add to your diet, consider incorporating coconut meat into your cooking.

It is flavorful, versatile, and has various health benefits.

Coconut Meat is not an excellent source of any particular vitamin.

However, it contains Vitamin C, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) in a small amount.

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.

Coconut Meat vs Broad (Fava) Beans Nutrition

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

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

Coconut MeatBroad (Fava) Beans
Energy354 kcal341 kcal
Carbs15.2 g58.3 g
Sugar6.23 g5.7 g
Fiber9 g25 g
Protein3.33 g26.1 g
Fat33.5 g1.53 g
Saturated Fat29.7 g0.254 g

Coconut Meat vs Broad (Fava) Beans Calories

Comparing broad (fava) beans vs coconut meat for weight loss, broad (fava) beans are slightly lower in calories, with 341 calories per 100 grams, compared to 354 calories per 100 grams of coconut meat.

However, both coconut meat and broad (fava) 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.

Coconut Meat vs Broad (Fava) Beans Protein

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

Broad (Fava) Beans offer around 87% more protein than coconut meat.

Broad (Fava) Beans have 26.1 grams of protein per 100 grams, while coconut meat has 3.3 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Coconut Meat vs Broad (Fava) 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 coconut meat and broad (fava) beans.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 74% higher in broad (fava) beans than in coconut meat. They have 58.3 grams per 100 grams, compared to 15.2 grams in coconut meat.

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There’s less sugar in broad (fava) beans than in coconut meat, 6% precisely.

One handful of broad (fava) beans (28 grams) contains 1.6 grams of sugar, while the same amount of coconut meat contains 1.7 grams.

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

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 coconut meat which offer 2.5 grams per portion.

Coconut Meat vs Broad (Fava) Beans Fats

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

Total fat in coconut meat and broad (fava) beans:

  • Coconut Meat: 33.5 grams per 100 grams
  • Broad (Fava) Beans: 1.5 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, broad (fava) beans are 99% lower in saturated fats.

Broad (Fava) Beans and coconut meat contain 0.3 grams and 29.7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Coconut Meat vs Broad (Fava) Beans Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of coconut meat and broad (fava) beans.

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

Coconut Meat has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin K.

However, broad (fava) beans have a higher amount of vitamin C, and vitamin E.

Coconut Meat and broad (fava) beans contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

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

Coconut MeatBroad (Fava) Beans
Vitamin A053 IU
Vitamin C3.3 mg1.4 mg
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.066 mg0.555 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.02 mg0.333 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)0.54 mg2.83 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.3 mg0.976 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.054 mg0.366 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)26 µg423 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E0.24 mg0.05 mg
Vitamin K0.2 µg9 µg

Coconut Meat vs Broad (Fava) 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 coconut meat and broad (fava) beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Coconut Meat is a better source of calcium, copper, fluoride, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc than broad (fava) beans.

On the other hand, broad (fava) beans are a higher amount of selenium, and sodium.

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

Coconut MeatBroad (Fava) Beans
Calcium14 mg103 mg
Copper0.435 mg0.824 mg
Fluoride02.2 µg
Iron2.43 mg6.7 mg
Magnesium32 mg192 mg
Manganese1.5 mg1.63 mg
Phosphorus113 mg421 mg
Potassium356 mg1060 mg
Selenium10.1 µg8.2 µg
Sodium20 mg13 mg
Zinc1.1 mg3.14 mg

The Final Word

Coconut Meat and broad (fava) beans are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both coconut meat and broad (fava) 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 nuts, seeds 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, nuts and seeds are a 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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How we ensure this article is accurate?
  1. It's written and or reviewed by an expert.
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