Defatted Soy Meal vs Split Peas: Which Is Healthier?

Defatted Soy Meal and split peas belong to the legumes and legume products food group, one of the staple food groups for people on a plant-based diet.

Legumes and most legume products are an affordable source of plant protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins, and minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, and zinc, minerals that are usually harder to get on a plant-based diet.

This article will thoroughly compare defatted soy meal and split peas and help you learn more about their similarities and differences.

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.

Split Peas

Split peas (Pisum sativum) are a type of legume that are native to the Middle East and have been grown for thousands of years.

They are made by splitting dried peas and removing the outer skin, resulting in a small, round, flat legume that is green or yellow in color.

Split peas are a popular ingredient in many dishes, such as split pea soup, and are highly valued for their nutritional content.

One of the main health benefits of split peas is their high protein content.

They are a good source of plant-based protein, making them a popular choice for vegetarians and vegans.

Split peas are also high in fiber, which can help to improve digestion and lower cholesterol levels.

They are rich in nutrients such as iron, potassium, and B vitamins. They also contain several plant compounds that have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Split Peas are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine).

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

Defatted Soy Meal vs Split Peas Nutrition

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

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

Defatted Soy Meal vs Split Peas Calories

Most calories in raw 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 split peas for weight loss, defatted soy meal is slightly lower in calories, with 337 calories per 100 grams, compared to 364 calories per 100 grams of split peas.

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

Defatted Soy Meal vs Split Peas Protein

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

Defatted Soy Meal offers around 53% more protein than split peas.

Defatted Soy Meal has 49.2 grams of protein per 100 grams, while split peas have 23.1 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Defatted Soy Meal vs Split Peas 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 defatted soy meal and split peas.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 42% higher in split peas than in defatted soy meal. They have 61.6 grams per 100 grams, compared to 35.9 grams in defatted soy meal.

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There’s less sugar in split peas than in defatted soy meal, 47% precisely.

One handful of split peas (28 grams) contains 0.9 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 defatted soy meal and split peas.

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

With 6.2 grams of fiber per portion, split peas are a better source of fiber than defatted soy meal which offer 1.5 grams per portion.

Defatted Soy Meal vs Split Peas Fats

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

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

Total fat in defatted soy meal and split peas:

• Defatted Soy Meal: 2.4 grams per 100 grams
• Split Peas: 3.9 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, defatted soy meal is 25% lower in saturated fats.

Defatted Soy Meal and split peas contain 0.3 grams and 0.4 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Defatted Soy Meal vs Split Peas Vitamins Content

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

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

Defatted Soy Meal has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B3 (Niacin), and vitamin E.

However, split peas have a higher amount of vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin K.

Defatted Soy Meal and split peas contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

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

Defatted Soy Meal vs Split Peas 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 defatted soy meal and split peas comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Defatted Soy Meal is a better source of selenium, and sodium than split peas.

On the other hand, split peas are a higher amount of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.

Defatted Soy Meal and split peas contain the same amount of fluoride.

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

The Final Word

Defatted Soy Meal and split peas are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

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

Antioxidants found in beans 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 are 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.