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Coconut Meat vs Pecans: How Are They Different?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between coconut meat and pecans, foods from the nuts and seeds group. Read on to learn more about the coconut meat vs pecans comparison.
Dennis Gillett, Health & Fitness Writer

Written by Dennis Gillett, Health & Fitness Writer. Updated on January 1, 2023.

Coconut Meat and pecans 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 coconut meat and pecans and compare their similarities and differences.

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

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 are not an excellent source of any particular vitamin.

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

Pecans

Pecans (Carya illinoinensis) are a type of nut that is native to the United States and are now grown in many parts of the world.

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

Pecans are a good source of nutrients, including protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals. They are also a good source of healthy fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

There are many ways to incorporate pecans into your diet.

They can be eaten raw or roasted and are often used in baking or as a topping for salads and other dishes.

Pecans are also available in various forms, including whole, chopped, and ground into flour.

Pecans are widely available and can be found at most grocery stores. They are often sold roasted or raw and can be purchased with or without the shell.

It is vital to store pecans in the refrigerator or freezer to keep them fresh and prevent them from going rancid.

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

They are flavorful, versatile, and have a variety of health benefits.

Pecans are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine).

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

Coconut Meat vs Pecans 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 pecans.

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

Coconut MeatPecans
Energy354 kcal691 kcal
Carbs15.2 g13.9 g
Sugar6.23 g3.97 g
Fiber9 g9.6 g
Protein3.33 g9.17 g
Fat33.5 g72 g
Saturated Fat29.7 g6.18 g

Coconut Meat vs Pecans Calories

Nuts and seeds are generally high in calories; the same goes for coconut meat and pecans, 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 coconut meat vs pecans for weight loss, coconut meat are slightly lower in calories, with 99 calories per serving, compared to 193 calories per serving of pecans.

However, both coconut meat and pecans 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.

Coconut Meat vs Pecans Protein

Nuts and seeds, including coconut meat and pecans, are an important source of plant-based protein.

Pecans offer around 65% more protein than coconut meat.

Pecans have 9.2 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 2.6g per serving), while coconut meat have 3.3 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 0.9g per serving).

Coconut Meat vs Pecans 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 pecans.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 9% higher in coconut meat than in pecans. They have 15.2 grams per 100 grams, compared to 13.9 grams in pecans.

There’s less sugar in pecans than in coconut meat, 35% precisely.

One handful of pecans (28 grams) contains 1.1 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 pecans.

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

With 2.7 grams of fiber per portion, pecans are a better source of fiber than coconut meat which offer 2.5 grams per portion.

Coconut Meat vs Pecans Fats

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

Total fat in coconut meat and pecans:

  • Coconut Meat: 33.5 grams per 100 grams
  • Pecans: 72 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, pecans are 79% lower in saturated fats.

Pecans and coconut meat contain 6.2 grams and 29.7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Coconut Meat vs Pecans Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of coconut meat and pecans.

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

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

However, pecans have a higher amount of vitamin C, and vitamin B9 (Folate).

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

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins coconut meat and pecans contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Coconut MeatPecans
Vitamin A056 IU
Vitamin C3.3 mg1.1 mg
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.066 mg0.66 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.02 mg0.13 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)0.54 mg1.17 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.3 mg0.863 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.054 mg0.21 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)26 µg22 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E0.24 mg1.4 mg
Vitamin K0.2 µg3.5 µg

Coconut Meat vs Pecans 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 pecans comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Coconut Meat are a better source of calcium, copper, fluoride, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc than pecans.

On the other hand, pecans have a higher amount of selenium, and sodium.

Check out the table below to learn how coconut meat and pecans compare when it comes to mineral contents.

Coconut MeatPecans
Calcium14 mg70 mg
Copper0.435 mg1.2 mg
Fluoride010 µg
Iron2.43 mg2.53 mg
Magnesium32 mg121 mg
Manganese1.5 mg4.5 mg
Phosphorus113 mg277 mg
Potassium356 mg410 mg
Selenium10.1 µg3.8 µg
Sodium20 mg0
Zinc1.1 mg4.53 mg

The Final Word

Coconut Meat and pecans 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 coconut meat and pecans 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.

Sources

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