Macadamia Nuts vs Chickpeas: Which Is Better?

Although macadamia nuts and chickpeas 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 macadamia nuts belong to the nuts and seeds group, chickpeas belong to legumes food group.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares macadamia nuts and chickpeas, 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 macadamia nuts and chickpeas compare specifically.

Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts (Macadamia spp.) are native to Australia and are now grown in many tropical regions worldwide.

These nuts have a creamy and slightly sweet flavor and are often used in sweet and savory dishes.

Macadamia nuts are a good source of nutrients, including protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

They are also a good source of healthy fats, including monounsaturated fats, which have been shown to have various health benefits.

There are many ways to incorporate macadamia nuts 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. Macadamia nuts are also available in various forms, including whole, chopped, and ground into flour.

Macadamia nuts are widely available and can be found at most grocery stores.

They are often sold roasted or raw and can be purchased with or without the shell. It is important to store macadamia nuts in the refrigerator or freezer to keep them fresh and prevent them from going rancid.

If you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious nut to add to your diet, consider giving macadamia nuts a try. They are flavorful, versatile, and have a variety of health benefits.

Macadamia Nuts is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) and some Vitamin E.

Chickpeas

Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum) are a type of legume that are native to the Middle East and Mediterranean region.

They are a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to their high protein and fiber content and their versatility in cooking.

Chickpeas can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, including hummus, falafel, and curry, and can also be ground into flour and used in baked goods such as bread and cookies.

Chickpea pasta is also available.

In addition to being a tasty and nutritious food, chickpeas have been shown to have a number of potential health benefits.

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

Chickpeas are also a good source of several important minerals, including iron, zinc, and magnesium, all important nutrients for vegans.

Chickpeas are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin B3 (Niacin) and some Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K.

Macadamia Nuts vs Chickpeas Nutrition

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

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

Macadamia Nuts vs Chickpeas Calories

Comparing chickpeas vs macadamia nuts for weight loss, chickpeas are slightly lower in calories, with 378 calories per 100 grams, compared to 718 calories per 100 grams of macadamia nuts.

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

Macadamia Nuts vs Chickpeas Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including macadamia nuts and chickpeas, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Chickpeas offer around 61% more protein than macadamia nuts.

Chickpeas have 20.5 grams of protein per 100 grams, while macadamia nuts has 7.9 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Macadamia Nuts vs Chickpeas 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 macadamia nuts and chickpeas.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 78% higher in chickpeas than in macadamia nuts. They have 63 grams per 100 grams, compared to 13.8 grams in macadamia nuts.

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There’s less sugar in macadamia nuts than in chickpeas, 57% precisely.

One handful of macadamia nuts (28 grams) contains 1.3 grams of sugar, while the same amount of chickpeas contains 3 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in macadamia nuts and chickpeas.

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

With 3.4 grams of fiber per portion, chickpeas are a better source of fiber than macadamia nuts which offer 2.4 grams per portion.

Macadamia Nuts vs Chickpeas Fats

Fats in macadamia nuts and chickpeas are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in macadamia nuts and chickpeas:

• Macadamia Nuts: 75.8 grams per 100 grams
• Chickpeas: 6 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, chickpeas are 95% lower in saturated fats.

Chickpeas and macadamia nuts contain 0.6 grams and 12.1 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Macadamia Nuts vs Chickpeas Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of macadamia nuts and chickpeas.

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

Macadamia Nuts has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

However, chickpeas have a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and vitamin B3 (Niacin).

Macadamia Nuts and chickpeas contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

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

Macadamia Nuts vs Chickpeas 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 macadamia nuts and chickpeas comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Macadamia Nuts is a better source of fluoride, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc than chickpeas.

On the other hand, chickpeas are a higher amount of calcium, copper, magnesium, and selenium.

Check out the table below to learn how macadamia nuts and chickpeas compare when it comes to mineral content.

The Final Word

Macadamia Nuts and chickpeas are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both macadamia nuts and chickpeas 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.