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Hemp Seeds vs Chickpea Flour: Which One is Better for You?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between hemp seeds and chickpea flour, foods from the grains and legumes food groups. Read on to learn more about the hemp seeds vs chickpea flour comparison.
Esther Bumpus, Health Writer

Written by Esther Bumpus, Health Writer. Updated on March 6, 2023.

Although hemp seeds and chickpea flour 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 hemp seeds belong to the nuts and seeds group, chickpea flour belong to legumes food group.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares hemp seeds and chickpea flour, 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 hemp seeds and chickpea flour compare specifically.

Hemp Seeds

Hemp seeds (Cannabis sativa) are small, nutty seeds that come from the hemp plant.

These seeds have gained popularity recently as a health food due to their high protein and nutrient content.

Hemp seeds have a slightly nutty and slightly earthy flavor and can be eaten raw or roasted.

They can be added to a variety of dishes, including smoothies, cereals, and baked goods, or used as a topping for salads and other dishes.

Hemp seeds are also available in oil form, which can be used in cooking or as a salad dressing.

They are a good source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. They are also a good source of various vitamins and minerals, including iron, zinc, and vitamin E.

Hemp seeds are considered safe for most people to eat. However, it is important to note that they can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.

If you are allergic to other types of nuts or seeds, it is advisable to be cautious when introducing hemp seeds into your diet.

Overall, hemp seeds are a nutritious and versatile food that can be valuable to a plant-based diet.

If you’re looking to add more protein and healthy fats to your diet, consider giving hemp seeds a try.

Hemp Seeds is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) and some Vitamin E.

Chickpea Flour

Chickpea flour, also known as gram flour or besan, is a type of flour made from ground, dried chickpeas.

It is a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to its high protein and fiber content, as well as its nutty, slightly sweet flavor.

Chickpea flour is a good source of several important nutrients, including potassium, iron, and B vitamins.

It can be used in a variety of dishes, including breads, pancakes, and fritters, and is also a key ingredient in traditional dishes such as falafel and socca.

There’s also a pasta made of chickpea flour. Check out how chickpea pasta compares to a regular pasta.

In addition to being a nutritious food, chickpea 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.

Chickpea flour is also a good source of several important minerals, including iron, zinc, and magnesium.

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

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

Hemp Seeds vs Chickpea Flour Nutrition

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

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

Hemp SeedsChickpea Flour
Energy553 kcal387 kcal
Carbs8.67 g57.8 g
Sugar1.5 g10.8 g
Fiber4 g10.8 g
Protein31.6 g22.4 g
Fat48.8 g6.69 g
Saturated Fat4.6 g0.693 g

Hemp Seeds vs Chickpea Flour Calories

Comparing chickpea flour vs hemp seeds for weight loss, chickpea flour is slightly lower in calories, with 387 calories per 100 grams, compared to 553 calories per 100 grams of hemp seeds.

However, both hemp seeds and chickpea 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.

Hemp Seeds vs Chickpea Flour Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including hemp seeds and chickpea flour, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Hemp Seeds offers around 29% more protein than chickpea flour.

Hemp Seeds has 31.6 grams of protein per 100 grams, while chickpea flour has 22.4 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Hemp Seeds vs Chickpea 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 hemp seeds and chickpea flour.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 85% higher in chickpea flour than in hemp seeds. It have 57.8 grams per 100 grams, compared to 8.7 grams in hemp seeds.

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There’s less sugar in hemp seeds than in chickpea flour, 87% precisely.

One handful of hemp seeds (28 grams) contains 0.4 grams of sugar, while the same amount of chickpea flour contains 3 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in hemp seeds and chickpea flour.

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, chickpea flour is a better source of fiber than hemp seeds which offers 1.1 grams per portion.

Hemp Seeds vs Chickpea Flour Fats

Fats in hemp seeds and chickpea flour are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in hemp seeds and chickpea flour:

  • Hemp Seeds: 48.8 grams per 100 grams
  • Chickpea Flour: 6.7 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, chickpea flour is 85% lower in saturated fats.

Chickpea Flour and hemp seeds contain 0.7 grams and 4.6 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Hemp Seeds vs Chickpea Flour Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of hemp seeds and chickpea flour.

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

Hemp Seeds has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B9 (Folate), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

However, chickpea flour has a higher amount of vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), and vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).

Hemp Seeds and chickpea flour contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins hemp seeds and chickpea flour contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Hemp SeedsChickpea Flour
Vitamin A11 IU41 IU
Vitamin C0.5 mg0
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)1.28 mg0.486 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.285 mg0.106 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)9.2 mg1.76 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)00.606 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.6 mg0.492 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)110 µg437 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E0.8 mg0.83 mg
Vitamin K09.1 µg

Hemp Seeds vs Chickpea 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 hemp seeds and chickpea flour comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Hemp Seeds is a better source of fluoride, selenium, and sodium than chickpea flour.

On the other hand, chickpea flour is a higher amount of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.

Check out the table below to learn how hemp seeds and chickpea flour compare when it comes to mineral content.

Hemp SeedsChickpea Flour
Calcium70 mg45 mg
Copper1.6 mg0.912 mg
Fluoride02.2 µg
Iron7.95 mg4.86 mg
Magnesium700 mg166 mg
Manganese7.6 mg1.6 mg
Phosphorus1650 mg318 mg
Potassium1200 mg846 mg
Selenium08.3 µg
Sodium5 mg64 mg
Zinc9.9 mg2.81 mg

The Final Word

Hemp Seeds and chickpea flour are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both hemp seeds and chickpea 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 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

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.

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