Hazelnuts vs Soy: How Do They Compare?

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

Written by Michael Whaley, Health Writer. Updated on March 16, 2023.

Although hazelnuts and soy belong to different food groups, and it’s not that common to compare foods from different groups, people are often interested in these comparisons as well.

While hazelnuts belong to the nuts and seeds group, soy belong to legumes food group.

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

Generally speaking, foods from nuts and seeds group are usually higher in healthy fats and lower in carbs than legumes, but both are valuable addition to a plant-based diet.

Now, let’s see how hazelnuts and soy compare specifically.

Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts (Corylus spp.) are a type of nut that is native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

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

Hazelnuts are a good source of nutrients, including protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals.

They are also a good source of healthy fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

There are many ways to incorporate hazelnuts 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.

Hazelnuts are also available in a variety of forms, including whole, chopped, and ground into flour.

Hazelnuts are widely available and can be found at most grocery stores and 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 hazelnuts a try.

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

Hazelnuts is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), Vitamin B9 (Folate), and Vitamin E.

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin K and some Vitamin C, and Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin).

Soy

Soybeans (Glycine max) are a type of legume native to East Asia.

They are a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to their high protein and fiber content. Soy protein is one of the complete sources of a plant-based protein.

Soybeans can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, including tofu, soy milk, and soy-based meat substitutes, and can also be ground into flour and used in baked goods such as bread and cookies.

In addition to being a tasty and nutritious food, soybeans have been shown to have many potential health benefits.

They are a good source of antioxidants and have been linked to lower cholesterol levels and improved blood sugar control.

Soybeans are also a good source of several important minerals, including iron, zinc, and magnesium.

Soy are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B9 (Folate), and Vitamin K.

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

Hazelnuts vs Soy Nutrition

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

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

HazelnutsSoy
Energy628 kcal446 kcal
Carbs16.7 g30.2 g
Sugar4.34 g7.33 g
Fiber9.7 g9.3 g
Protein15 g36.5 g
Fat60.8 g19.9 g
Saturated Fat4.46 g2.88 g

Hazelnuts vs Soy Calories

Comparing soy vs hazelnuts for weight loss, soy are slightly lower in calories, with 446 calories per 100 grams, compared to 628 calories per 100 grams of hazelnuts.

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

Hazelnuts vs Soy Protein

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

Soy offer around 59% more protein than hazelnuts.

Soy have 36.5 grams of protein per 100 grams, while hazelnuts has 15 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Hazelnuts vs Soy 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 hazelnuts and soy.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 45% higher in soy than in hazelnuts. They have 30.2 grams per 100 grams, compared to 16.7 grams in hazelnuts.

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There’s less sugar in hazelnuts than in soy, 43% precisely.

One handful of hazelnuts (28 grams) contains 1.2 grams of sugar, while the same amount of soy contains 2.1 grams.

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

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, hazelnuts is a better source of fiber than soy which hazelnuts offers 2.6 grams per portion.

Hazelnuts vs Soy Fats

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

Total fat in hazelnuts and soy:

  • Hazelnuts: 60.8 grams per 100 grams
  • Soy: 19.9 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, soy are 36% lower in saturated fats.

Soy and hazelnuts contain 2.9 grams and 4.5 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Hazelnuts vs Soy Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of hazelnuts and soy.

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

Hazelnuts has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin K.

However, soy have a higher amount of vitamin C, vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and vitamin E.

Hazelnuts and soy contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

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

HazelnutsSoy
Vitamin A20 IU22 IU
Vitamin C6.3 mg6 mg
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.643 mg0.874 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.113 mg0.87 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)1.8 mg1.62 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.918 mg0.793 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.563 mg0.377 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)113 µg375 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E15 mg0.85 mg
Vitamin K14.2 µg47 µg

Hazelnuts vs Soy 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 hazelnuts and soy comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Hazelnuts is a better source of calcium, fluoride, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, and zinc than soy.

On the other hand, soy are a higher amount of copper, and manganese.

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

HazelnutsSoy
Calcium114 mg277 mg
Copper1.72 mg1.66 mg
Fluoride02.2 µg
Iron4.7 mg15.7 mg
Magnesium163 mg280 mg
Manganese6.18 mg2.52 mg
Phosphorus290 mg704 mg
Potassium680 mg1800 mg
Selenium2.4 µg17.8 µg
Sodium02 mg
Zinc2.45 mg4.89 mg

The Final Word

Hazelnuts and soy are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

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

Antioxidants found in nuts, seeds 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, nuts and seeds 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

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