Macadamia Nuts vs Pink or Red Lentils: Which Is Healthier?
Although macadamia nuts and pink or red lentils 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, pink or red lentils belong to legumes food group.
That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares macadamia nuts and pink or red lentils, 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 pink or red lentils 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.
Pink or Red Lentils
Pink or red lentils (Lens culinaris) are a type of legume native to Southwest Asia.
They are a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to their high protein and fiber content, as well as their mild, slightly nutty flavor.
Pink and red lentils are also a good source of several important nutrients, including potassium, iron, and B vitamins.
They can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, such as lentil soup, curry, and all types of salads.
In addition to being a nutritious food, pink and red lentils have been shown to have a number of potential health benefits.
They have been linked to lower cholesterol levels and improved blood sugar control, and may also help to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.
Pink or Red Lentils are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B9 (Folate), and Vitamin K.
They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin E and some Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid).
Macadamia Nuts vs Pink or Red Lentils 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 pink or red lentils.
This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of macadamia nuts and pink or red lentils and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.
Macadamia Nuts | Pink or Red Lentils | |
---|---|---|
Energy | 718 kcal | 358 kcal |
Carbs | 13.8 g | 63.1 g |
Sugar | 4.57 g | 7.5 g |
Fiber | 8.6 g | 10.8 g |
Protein | 7.91 g | 23.9 g |
Fat | 75.8 g | 2.17 g |
Saturated Fat | 12.1 g | 0.379 g |
Macadamia Nuts vs Pink or Red Lentils Calories
Comparing pink or red lentils vs macadamia nuts for weight loss, pink or red lentils are slightly lower in calories, with 358 calories per 100 grams, compared to 718 calories per 100 grams of macadamia nuts.
However, both macadamia nuts and pink or red lentils 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 Pink or Red Lentils Protein
Legumes and most legume products, including macadamia nuts and pink or red lentils, are important sources of plant-based protein.
Pink or Red Lentils offer around 67% more protein than macadamia nuts.
Pink or Red Lentils have 23.9 grams of protein per 100 grams, while macadamia nuts has 7.9 grams of protein per 100 grams.
Macadamia Nuts vs Pink or Red Lentils 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 pink or red lentils.
The total amount of carbohydrates is around 78% higher in pink or red lentils than in macadamia nuts. They have 63.1 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 pink or red lentils, 38% precisely.
One handful of macadamia nuts (28 grams) contains 1.3 grams of sugar, while the same amount of pink or red lentils contains 2.1 grams.
Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in macadamia nuts and pink or red lentils.
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, pink or red lentils are a better source of fiber than macadamia nuts which offer 2.4 grams per portion.
Macadamia Nuts vs Pink or Red Lentils Fats
Fats in macadamia nuts and pink or red lentils are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.
Total fat in macadamia nuts and pink or red lentils:
- Macadamia Nuts: 75.8 grams per 100 grams
- Pink or Red Lentils: 2.2 per 100 grams
Speaking of saturated fats, pink or red lentils are 97% lower in saturated fats.
Pink or Red Lentils and macadamia nuts contain 0.4 grams and 12.1 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.
Macadamia Nuts vs Pink or Red Lentils Vitamins Content
This section will discuss the vitamin content of macadamia nuts and pink or red lentils.
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 B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), vitamin E, and vitamin K.
However, pink or red lentils have a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), and vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid).
Macadamia Nuts and pink or red lentils contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).
The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins macadamia nuts and pink or red lentils contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.
Macadamia Nuts | Pink or Red Lentils | |
---|---|---|
Vitamin A | 0 | 58 IU |
Vitamin C | 1.2 mg | 1.7 mg |
Vitamin D | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 1.2 mg | 0.51 mg |
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.162 mg | 0.106 mg |
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 2.47 mg | 1.5 mg |
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.758 mg | 0.348 mg |
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) | 0.275 mg | 0.403 mg |
Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 11 µg | 204 µg |
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin E | 0.54 mg | 1.95 mg |
Vitamin K | 0 | 70 µg |
Macadamia Nuts vs Pink or Red Lentils 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 pink or red lentils comparison focuses on their mineral content.
Macadamia Nuts is a better source of copper, fluoride, iron, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc than pink or red lentils.
On the other hand, pink or red lentils are a higher amount of calcium, magnesium, manganese, and selenium.
Check out the table below to learn how macadamia nuts and pink or red lentils compare when it comes to mineral content.
Macadamia Nuts | Pink or Red Lentils | |
---|---|---|
Calcium | 85 mg | 48 mg |
Copper | 0.756 mg | 1.3 mg |
Fluoride | 0 | 2.2 µg |
Iron | 3.69 mg | 7.39 mg |
Magnesium | 130 mg | 59 mg |
Manganese | 4.13 mg | 1.72 mg |
Phosphorus | 188 mg | 294 mg |
Potassium | 368 mg | 668 mg |
Selenium | 3.6 µg | 0 |
Sodium | 5 mg | 7 mg |
Zinc | 1.3 mg | 3.6 mg |
The Final Word
Macadamia Nuts and pink or red lentils are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.
Both macadamia nuts and pink or red lentils 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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