Cornstarch vs Defatted Soy Meal: How Do They Compare?

Although cornstarch and defatted soy meal belong to different food groups, while cornstarch belong is a grain, and defatted soy meal belong to legumes food group, and it’s not that common to compare foods from different groups, people are often interested in these comparisons as well.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares cornstarch and defatted soy meal, their nutritional values, similarities, differences, macronutrients, and micronutrients – vitamins and minerals.

Generally speaking, foods from grains and legume food groups are both high in carbs and protein and valuable addition to a plant-based diet.

Now, let’s see how cornstarch and defatted soy meal compare specifically.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch (Zea mays) is a type of carbohydrate derived from the endosperm of the corn kernel.

It is a good source of energy, providing a high amount of carbohydrates and small amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It is pure starch and has a very low nutritional value compared to whole-grain cornmeal.

Cornstarch is commonly used as a thickening agent in cooking and baking, as it can absorb liquids and increase the viscosity of sauces, gravies, and puddings. It is also used as a coating for fried foods to provide a crisp texture. It is a gluten-free ingredient and can be used as a thickener for people with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.

Cornstarch is typically used in small amounts and is not a significant source of nutrition in the diet. It is often used as a thickener in combination with other ingredients, and when consumed in moderation, it can be included as part of a healthy diet.

Cornstarch is not an excellent source of any particular vitamin.

Defatted Soy Meal

Soy meal, also known as defatted soy flour, is a byproduct of the production of soy oil.

It is made by grinding the remaining solids (after the oil has been extracted) into a fine powder.

Soy meal is a good source of plant-based protein and is commonly used as a protein supplement in animal feed and as an ingredient in a variety of food products.

One of the main health benefits of soy meal is its high protein content. Soybeans, from which soy meal is made, are a good source of plant-based protein, making soy meal a popular choice for vegetarians and vegans.

Soy meal is also rich in a number of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

It is also a good source of fiber, which can help to improve digestion and lower cholesterol levels.

In terms of health benefits, soy meal has been shown to have a number of positive effects on the body.

It is a good source of isoflavones, plant compounds that have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Some studies have also suggested that soy meal may have a positive effect on bone health, due to its high calcium content.

Defatted Soy Meal is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin K.

Cornstarch vs Defatted Soy Meal Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing cornstarch vs defatted soy meal.

This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of cornstarch and defatted soy meal and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.

Cornstarch vs Defatted Soy Meal Calories

Most calories in raw grains and 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 defatted soy meal vs cornstarch for weight loss, defatted soy meal is slightly lower in calories, with 337 calories per 100 grams, compared to 381 calories per 100 grams of cornstarch.

However, both cornstarch and defatted soy meal can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.

Cornstarch vs Defatted Soy Meal Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including cornstarch and defatted soy meal, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Defatted Soy Meal offers around 99% more protein than cornstarch.

Defatted Soy Meal has 49.2 grams of protein per 100 grams, while cornstarch has 0.3 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Cornstarch vs Defatted Soy Meal 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 cornstarch and defatted soy meal.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 61% higher in cornstarch than in defatted soy meal. It have 91.3 grams per 100 grams, compared to 35.9 grams in defatted soy meal.

There’s less sugar in cornstarch than in defatted soy meal, 100% precisely.

One handful of cornstarch (28 grams) contains 0 grams of sugar, while the same amount of defatted soy meal contains 1.7 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in cornstarch and defatted soy meal.

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

With 1.5 grams of fiber per portion, defatted soy meal is a better source of fiber than cornstarch which offers 0.3 grams per portion.

Cornstarch vs Defatted Soy Meal Fats

Like most other grains and legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, cornstarch and defatted soy meal are low in fat.

Fats in cornstarch and defatted soy meal are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in cornstarch and defatted soy meal:

• Cornstarch: 0.1 grams per 100 grams
• Defatted Soy Meal: 2.4 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, cornstarch is 100% lower in saturated fats.

Cornstarch and defatted soy meal contain 0 grams and 0.3 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Cornstarch vs Defatted Soy Meal Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of cornstarch and defatted soy meal.

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

Cornstarch 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), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

Cornstarch and defatted soy meal contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins cornstarch and defatted soy meal contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Cornstarch vs Defatted Soy Meal 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 cornstarch and defatted soy meal comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Cornstarch is a better source of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and zinc than defatted soy meal.

On the other hand, defatted soy meal is a higher amount of sodium.

Cornstarch and defatted soy meal contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how cornstarch and defatted soy meal compare when it comes to mineral content.

The Final Word

Cornstarch and defatted soy meal are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both cornstarch and defatted soy meal are high in specific vitamins and minerals, and including them in your diet will give you the most benefits they offer.

Antioxidants found in grains 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 and grains 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.