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Coconut Meat vs Pine Nuts (Pinyons): Which Is Healthier?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between coconut meat and pine nuts (pinyons), foods from the nuts and seeds group. Read on to learn more about the coconut meat vs pine nuts (pinyons) comparison.
Esther Bumpus, Health Writer

Written by Esther Bumpus, Health Writer. Updated on January 1, 2023.

Coconut Meat and pine nuts (pinyons) 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 pine nuts (pinyons) 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.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons)

Pine nuts, also known as pinyons (Pinus spp.), are the edible seeds of certain species of pine trees.

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

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

There are many ways to incorporate pine nuts 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. Pine nuts are also available in various forms, including whole, chopped, and ground into flour.

Pine nuts 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.

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

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

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B3 (Niacin).

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

Coconut Meat vs Pine Nuts (Pinyons) 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 pine nuts (pinyons).

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

Coconut MeatPine Nuts (Pinyons)
Energy354 kcal629 kcal
Carbs15.2 g19.3 g
Fiber9 g10.7 g
Protein3.33 g11.6 g
Fat33.5 g61 g
Saturated Fat29.7 g9.38 g

Coconut Meat vs Pine Nuts (Pinyons) Calories

Nuts and seeds are generally high in calories; the same goes for coconut meat and pine nuts (pinyons), 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 pine nuts (pinyons) for weight loss, coconut meat are slightly lower in calories, with 99 calories per serving, compared to 176 calories per serving of pine nuts (pinyons).

However, both coconut meat and pine nuts (pinyons) 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 Pine Nuts (Pinyons) Protein

Nuts and seeds, including coconut meat and pine nuts (pinyons), are an important source of plant-based protein.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) offer around 72% more protein than coconut meat.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) have 11.6 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 3.2g per serving), while coconut meat have 3.3 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 0.9g per serving).

Coconut Meat vs Pine Nuts (Pinyons) 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 pine nuts (pinyons).

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 21% higher in pine nuts (pinyons) than in coconut meat. They have 19.3 grams per 100 grams, compared to 15.2 grams in coconut meat.

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There’s less sugar in pine nuts (pinyons) than in coconut meat, 100% precisely.

One handful of pine nuts (pinyons) (28 grams) contains 0 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 pine nuts (pinyons).

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

With 3 grams of fiber per portion, pine nuts (pinyons) are a better source of fiber than coconut meat which offer 2.5 grams per portion.

Coconut Meat vs Pine Nuts (Pinyons) Fats

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

Total fat in coconut meat and pine nuts (pinyons):

  • Coconut Meat: 33.5 grams per 100 grams
  • Pine Nuts (Pinyons): 61 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, pine nuts (pinyons) are 68% lower in saturated fats.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) and coconut meat contain 9.4 grams and 29.7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Coconut Meat vs Pine Nuts (Pinyons) Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of coconut meat and pine nuts (pinyons).

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 B6 (Pyroxidine), and vitamin B9 (Folate).

However, pine nuts (pinyons) have a higher amount of vitamin C, vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

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

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

Coconut MeatPine Nuts (Pinyons)
Vitamin A029 IU
Vitamin C3.3 mg2 mg
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.066 mg1.24 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.02 mg0.223 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)0.54 mg4.37 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.3 mg0.21 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.054 mg0.111 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)26 µg58 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E0.24 mg0
Vitamin K0.2 µg0

Coconut Meat vs Pine Nuts (Pinyons) 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 pine nuts (pinyons) comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Coconut Meat are a better source of copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, and zinc than pine nuts (pinyons).

On the other hand, pine nuts (pinyons) have a higher amount of calcium, phosphorus, and selenium.

Coconut Meat and pine nuts (pinyons) contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how coconut meat and pine nuts (pinyons) compare when it comes to mineral contents.

Coconut MeatPine Nuts (Pinyons)
Calcium14 mg8 mg
Copper0.435 mg1.04 mg
Fluoride00
Iron2.43 mg3.06 mg
Magnesium32 mg234 mg
Manganese1.5 mg4.33 mg
Phosphorus113 mg35 mg
Potassium356 mg628 mg
Selenium10.1 µg0
Sodium20 mg72 mg
Zinc1.1 mg4.28 mg

The Final Word

Coconut Meat and pine nuts (pinyons) 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 pine nuts (pinyons) 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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