Hemp Seeds vs Split Peas: Which Is Better?

Although hemp seeds and split peas 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, split peas belong to legumes food group.
That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares hemp seeds and split peas, 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 split peas 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.
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).
Hemp Seeds 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 hemp seeds vs split peas.
This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of hemp seeds and split peas and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.
| Hemp Seeds | Split Peas | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 553 kcal | 364 kcal |
| Carbs | 8.67 g | 61.6 g |
| Sugar | 1.5 g | 3.14 g |
| Fiber | 4 g | 22.2 g |
| Protein | 31.6 g | 23.1 g |
| Fat | 48.8 g | 3.89 g |
| Saturated Fat | 4.6 g | 0.408 g |
Hemp Seeds vs Split Peas Calories
Comparing split peas vs hemp seeds for weight loss, split peas are slightly lower in calories, with 364 calories per 100 grams, compared to 553 calories per 100 grams of hemp seeds.
However, both hemp seeds 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.
Hemp Seeds vs Split Peas Protein
Legumes and most legume products, including hemp seeds and split peas, are important sources of plant-based protein.
Hemp Seeds offers around 27% more protein than split peas.
Hemp Seeds has 31.6 grams of protein per 100 grams, while split peas have 23.1 grams of protein per 100 grams.
Hemp Seeds 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 hemp seeds and split peas.
The total amount of carbohydrates is around 86% higher in split peas than in hemp seeds. They have 61.6 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 split peas, 56% precisely.
One handful of hemp seeds (28 grams) contains 0.4 grams of sugar, while the same amount of split peas contains 0.9 grams.
Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in hemp seeds 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 hemp seeds which offer 1.1 grams per portion.
Hemp Seeds vs Split Peas Fats
Fats in hemp seeds and split peas are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.
Total fat in hemp seeds and split peas:
- Hemp Seeds: 48.8 grams per 100 grams
- Split Peas: 3.9 per 100 grams
Speaking of saturated fats, split peas are 91% lower in saturated fats.
Split Peas and hemp seeds contain 0.4 grams and 4.6 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.
Hemp Seeds vs Split Peas Vitamins Content
This section will discuss the vitamin content of hemp seeds and split peas.
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 C, vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and vitamin K.
However, split peas have a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin E.
Hemp Seeds and split peas contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).
The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins hemp seeds and split peas contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.
| Hemp Seeds | Split Peas | |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A | 11 IU | 149 IU |
| Vitamin C | 0.5 mg | 1.8 mg |
| Vitamin D | 0 | 0 |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 1.28 mg | 0.719 mg |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.285 mg | 0.244 mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 9.2 mg | 3.61 mg |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0 | 0.962 mg |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) | 0.6 mg | 0.14 mg |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 110 µg | 15 µg |
| Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | 0 | 0 |
| Vitamin E | 0.8 mg | 0.12 mg |
| Vitamin K | 0 | 15.9 µg |
Hemp Seeds 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 hemp seeds and split peas comparison focuses on their mineral content.
Hemp Seeds is a better source of selenium than split peas.
On the other hand, split peas are a higher amount of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.
Hemp Seeds and split peas contain the same amount of fluoride, and sodium.
Check out the table below to learn how hemp seeds and split peas compare when it comes to mineral content.
| Hemp Seeds | Split Peas | |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | 70 mg | 46 mg |
| Copper | 1.6 mg | 0.809 mg |
| Fluoride | 0 | 0 |
| Iron | 7.95 mg | 4.73 mg |
| Magnesium | 700 mg | 63 mg |
| Manganese | 7.6 mg | 1.19 mg |
| Phosphorus | 1650 mg | 334 mg |
| Potassium | 1200 mg | 852 mg |
| Selenium | 0 | 10.7 µg |
| Sodium | 5 mg | 5 mg |
| Zinc | 9.9 mg | 3.49 mg |
The Final Word
Hemp Seeds and split peas are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.
Both hemp seeds 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 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.
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.
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Split Peas Nutrients, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/167746/nutrients
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Listing of vitamins, Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/listing_of_vitamins/
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Appendix 7. Nutritional goals for age-sex groups based on dietary reference intakes and Dietary Guidelines recommendations. (n.d.).
https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/appendix-7/
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International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values 2021: a systematic review
https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/114/5/1625/6320814?login=false
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Health Claim Notification for Saturated Fat, Cholesterol, and Trans Fat, and Reduced Risk of Heart Disease
https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/health-claim-notification-saturated-fat-cholesterol-and-trans-fat-and-reduced-risk-heart-disease
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Nutrient Recommendations: Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI), Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academies of Sciences Engineering, and Medicine
https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/nutrientrecommendations.aspx
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Protein And Amino Acid Requirements In Human Nutrition, WHO
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43411/WHO_TRS_935_eng.pdf
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Nutrition Facts Labeling RDIs Nutrients, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
https://www.fda.gov/media/99069/download
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Nutrition Facts Labeling DRVs Food Components, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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- It's written and or reviewed by an expert.
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