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Millet flour vs Tempeh: Difference, Benefits, More

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

Written by Esther Bumpus, Health Writer. Updated on February 28, 2023.

Although millet flour and tempeh belong to different food groups, while millet flour belong is a grain, and tempeh belong to legumes food group, and it’s not that common to compare foods from different groups, people are often interested in these comparisons as well.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares millet flour and tempeh, their nutritional values, similarities, differences, macronutrients, and micronutrients – vitamins and minerals.

Generally speaking, foods from grains and legume food groups are both high in carbs and protein and valuable addition to a plant-based diet.

Now, let’s see how millet flour and tempeh compare specifically.

Millet flour

Millet flour (Panicum miliaceum) is made from ground millet, which is an ancient grain that is grown in many parts of the world, including Africa, Asia, and Europe.

It is a good source of carbohydrates, dietary fibers, and small amounts of vitamins and minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, and B vitamins. It is also gluten-free and easy to digest, making it a great option for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Millet flour is commonly used in baking and is a good alternative to wheat flour for gluten-free or alternative baking. It is also used in traditional African and Asian dishes.

Millet flour is considered a functional food, as it has been shown to positively impact health when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet. It is also a sustainable crop, as it is drought-tolerant and can be grown in poor soil conditions.

Millet flour is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin).

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.

Millet flour 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 millet flour vs tempeh.

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

Millet flourTempeh
Energy382 kcal192 kcal
Carbs75.1 g7.64 g
Sugar1.66 g7.33 g
Fiber3.5 g9.3 g
Protein10.8 g20.3 g
Fat4.25 g10.8 g
Saturated Fat0.536 g2.54 g

Millet flour vs Tempeh Calories

Most calories in raw grains and legumes come from carbs. Peanuts are an exception here, but they are often considered a nut instead of a legume because of their nutritional profile.

Comparing tempeh vs millet flour for weight loss, tempeh is slightly lower in calories, with 192 calories per 100 grams, compared to 382 calories per 100 grams of millet flour.

However, both millet flour 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.

Millet flour vs Tempeh Protein

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

Tempeh offers around 47% more protein than millet flour.

Tempeh has 20.3 grams of protein per 100 grams, while millet flour has 10.8 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Millet flour 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 millet flour and tempeh.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 90% higher in millet flour than in tempeh. It have 75.1 grams per 100 grams, compared to 7.6 grams in tempeh.

There’s less sugar in millet flour than in tempeh, 76% precisely.

One handful of millet flour (28 grams) contains 0.5 grams of sugar, while the same amount of tempeh contains 2.1 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in millet flour 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 millet flour which offers 1 grams per portion.

Millet flour vs Tempeh Fats

Like most other grains and legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, millet flour and tempeh are low in fat.

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

Total fat in millet flour and tempeh:

  • Millet flour: 4.3 grams per 100 grams
  • Tempeh: 10.8 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, millet flour is 80% lower in saturated fats.

Millet flour and tempeh contain 0.5 grams and 2.5 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Millet flour vs Tempeh Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of millet flour and tempeh.

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

Millet flour has a higher amount of vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

However, tempeh has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and vitamin B9 (Folate).

Millet flour and tempeh contain the same amount of vitamin C, and vitamin D.

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

Millet flourTempeh
Vitamin A9 IU0
Vitamin C00
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.413 mg0.078 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.073 mg0.358 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)6.02 mg2.64 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)1.27 mg0.278 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.372 mg0.215 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)42 µg24 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00.08 µg
Vitamin E0.11 mg0.85 mg
Vitamin K0.8 µg47 µg

Millet flour 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 millet flour and tempeh comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Millet flour is a better source of calcium, copper, fluoride, manganese, potassium, and sodium than tempeh.

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

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

Millet flourTempeh
Calcium14 mg111 mg
Copper0.535 mg0.56 mg
Fluoride02.2 µg
Iron3.94 mg2.7 mg
Magnesium119 mg81 mg
Manganese1 mg1.3 mg
Phosphorus285 mg266 mg
Potassium224 mg412 mg
Selenium32.7 µg0
Sodium4 mg9 mg
Zinc2.63 mg1.14 mg

The Final Word

Millet flour and tempeh are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both millet flour 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 grains 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 and grains 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

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