• Home
  • Guides
  • Cornstarch vs Full-Fat Soy Flour: Difference, Benefits, More

Cornstarch vs Full-Fat Soy Flour: Difference, Benefits, More

This article explains the key similarities and differences between cornstarch and full-fat soy flour, foods from the grains and legumes food groups. Read on to learn more about the cornstarch vs full-fat soy flour comparison.
Michael Whaley, Health Writer

Written by Michael Whaley, Health Writer. Updated on February 13, 2023.

Although cornstarch and full-fat soy flour belong to different food groups, while cornstarch belong is a grain, and full-fat soy flour 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 full-fat soy flour, 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 full-fat soy flour 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.

Full-Fat Soy Flour

Full-fat soy flour is a type of flour made from ground, dehulled soybeans.

It is high in protein and fiber and is a good source of several important nutrients, including potassium, iron, and B vitamins.

Full-fat soy flour has a nutty, slightly sweet flavor and can be used in a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes, including breads, cookies, and other baked goods.

It can also be used as a protein supplement in smoothies and other plant-based drinks.

In addition to being a nutritious food, full-fat soy flour has been shown to have a number of potential health benefits.

It is a good source of antioxidants, and has been linked to lower levels of cholesterol and improved blood sugar control.

Full-Fat Soy Flour is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), Vitamin B9 (Folate), and Vitamin K.

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin E and some Vitamin A.

Cornstarch vs Full-Fat Soy Flour 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 full-fat soy flour.

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

CornstarchFull-Fat Soy Flour
Energy381 kcal434 kcal
Carbs91.3 g31.9 g
Sugar0 g7.5 g
Fiber0.9 g9.6 g
Protein0.26 g37.8 g
Fat0.05 g20.6 g
Saturated Fat0.009 g2.99 g

Cornstarch vs Full-Fat Soy Flour 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 cornstarch vs full-fat soy flour for weight loss, cornstarch is slightly lower in calories, with 381 calories per 100 grams, compared to 434 calories per 100 grams of full-fat soy flour.

However, both cornstarch and full-fat soy flour 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 Full-Fat Soy Flour Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including cornstarch and full-fat soy flour, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Full-Fat Soy Flour offers around 99% more protein than cornstarch.

Full-Fat Soy Flour has 37.8 grams of protein per 100 grams, while cornstarch has 0.3 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Cornstarch vs Full-Fat Soy Flour 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 full-fat soy flour.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 65% higher in cornstarch than in full-fat soy flour. It have 91.3 grams per 100 grams, compared to 31.9 grams in full-fat soy flour.

There’s less sugar in cornstarch than in full-fat soy flour, 100% precisely.

One handful of cornstarch (28 grams) contains 0 grams of sugar, while the same amount of full-fat soy flour contains 2.1 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in cornstarch and full-fat soy flour.

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, full-fat soy flour is a better source of fiber than cornstarch which offers 0.3 grams per portion.

Cornstarch vs Full-Fat Soy Flour Fats

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

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

Total fat in cornstarch and full-fat soy flour:

  • Cornstarch: 0.1 grams per 100 grams
  • Full-Fat Soy Flour: 20.6 per 100 grams

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

Cornstarch and full-fat soy flour contain 0 grams and 3 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Cornstarch vs Full-Fat Soy Flour Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of cornstarch and full-fat soy flour.

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 full-fat soy flour contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins cornstarch and full-fat soy flour contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

CornstarchFull-Fat Soy Flour
Vitamin A0120 IU
Vitamin C00
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)00.581 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)01.16 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)04.32 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)01.59 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)00.461 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)0345 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E01.95 mg
Vitamin K070 µg

Cornstarch vs Full-Fat Soy Flour 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 full-fat soy flour comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Cornstarch is a better source of calcium, copper, fluoride, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, and zinc than full-fat soy flour.

Check out the table below to learn how cornstarch and full-fat soy flour compare when it comes to mineral content.

CornstarchFull-Fat Soy Flour
Calcium2 mg206 mg
Copper0.05 mg2.92 mg
Fluoride02.2 µg
Iron0.47 mg6.37 mg
Magnesium3 mg429 mg
Manganese0.053 mg2.28 mg
Phosphorus13 mg494 mg
Potassium3 mg2520 mg
Selenium2.8 µg7.5 µg
Sodium9 mg13 mg
Zinc0.06 mg3.92 mg

The Final Word

Cornstarch and full-fat soy flour are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both cornstarch and full-fat soy flour 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.

Sources

Holy Peas has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals, associations and government institutions. Read more about our process.

How we ensure this article is accurate?
  1. It's written and or reviewed by an expert.
  2. We cite relevant studies and trusted sources.
  3. It's regularly updated.

Read more about our process and team.