Hemp Seeds vs Tempeh: Which One is Better for You?

Although hemp seeds and tempeh 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, tempeh belong to legumes food group.

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

Tempeh

Tempeh is a traditional Indonesian food made from fermented soybeans.

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

Tempeh is made by fermenting cooked soybeans with a starter culture, which gives it a firm, cake-like texture, and a unique flavor.

It can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, including tempeh stir-fries, tempeh sandwiches, and tempeh bacon.

In addition to being a tasty and nutritious food, tempeh 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.

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

Tempeh is an excellent source of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin K.

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) and some Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B9 (Folate), and Vitamin E.

Hemp Seeds vs Tempeh 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 tempeh.

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

Hemp Seeds vs Tempeh Calories

Comparing tempeh vs hemp seeds for weight loss, tempeh is slightly lower in calories, with 192 calories per 100 grams, compared to 553 calories per 100 grams of hemp seeds.

However, both hemp seeds and tempeh 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 Tempeh Protein

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

Hemp Seeds offers around 36% more protein than tempeh.

Hemp Seeds has 31.6 grams of protein per 100 grams, while tempeh has 20.3 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Hemp Seeds vs Tempeh 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 tempeh.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 13% higher in hemp seeds than in tempeh. It have 8.7 grams per 100 grams, compared to 7.6 grams in tempeh.

There’s less sugar in hemp seeds than in tempeh, 81% precisely.

One handful of hemp seeds (28 grams) contains 0.4 grams of sugar, while the same amount of tempeh contains 2.1 grams.

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

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

With 2.6 grams of fiber per portion, tempeh is a better source of fiber than hemp seeds which offers 1.1 grams per portion.

Hemp Seeds vs Tempeh Fats

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

Total fat in hemp seeds and tempeh:

• Hemp Seeds: 48.8 grams per 100 grams
• Tempeh: 10.8 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, tempeh is 46% lower in saturated fats.

Tempeh and hemp seeds contain 2.5 grams and 4.6 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Hemp Seeds vs Tempeh Vitamins Content

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

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 B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

However, tempeh has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and vitamin B9 (Folate).

Hemp Seeds and tempeh contain the same amount of vitamin D.

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

Hemp Seeds vs Tempeh 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 tempeh comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Hemp Seeds is a better source of calcium, fluoride, and sodium than tempeh.

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

Hemp Seeds and tempeh contain the same amount of selenium.

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

The Final Word

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

Both hemp seeds and tempeh 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.