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Miso vs Defatted Soy Meal: Which Is Healthier?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between miso and defatted soy meal, foods from the legumes and legume product group. Read on to learn more about the miso vs defatted soy meal comparison.
Esther Bumpus, Health Writer

Written by Esther Bumpus, Health Writer. Updated on January 8, 2023.

Miso and defatted soy meal belong to the legumes and legume products food group, one of the staple food groups for people on a plant-based diet.

Legumes and most legume products are an affordable source of plant protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins, and minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, and zinc, minerals that are usually harder to get on a plant-based diet.

This article will thoroughly compare miso and defatted soy meal and help you learn more about their similarities and differences.

Miso

Miso (fermented soybean paste) is a traditional Japanese condiment made by fermenting soybeans with salt and a type of fungus called koji.

It is a thick, paste-like substance that adds flavor to various dishes, such as soups, sauces, and marinades.

Miso is an important part of Japanese cuisine and has been used for centuries to preserve and enhance food flavor.

One of the main health benefits of miso is its high protein content. Miso is made from soybeans, a good source of plant-based protein, making it a popular choice for vegetarians and vegans.

Miso also contains many nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. The fermentation process used to make miso also helps to increase the bioavailability of these nutrients, making them easier for the body to absorb.

In terms of health benefits, miso has been shown to have many positive effects on the body.

It is a good source of probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that help balance the gut microbiome.

Miso may also help to reduce the risk of certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, due to its high content of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.

Miso is not an excellent source of any particular vitamin.

However, it contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin K and some Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

Defatted Soy Meal

Soy meal, also known as defatted soy flour, is a byproduct of the production of soy oil.

It is made by grinding the remaining solids (after the oil has been extracted) into a fine powder.

Soy meal is a good source of plant-based protein and is commonly used as a protein supplement in animal feed and as an ingredient in a variety of food products.

One of the main health benefits of soy meal is its high protein content. Soybeans, from which soy meal is made, are a good source of plant-based protein, making soy meal a popular choice for vegetarians and vegans.

Soy meal is also rich in a number of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

It is also a good source of fiber, which can help to improve digestion and lower cholesterol levels.

In terms of health benefits, soy meal has been shown to have a number of positive effects on the body.

It is a good source of isoflavones, plant compounds that have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Some studies have also suggested that soy meal may have a positive effect on bone health, due to its high calcium content.

Defatted Soy Meal is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin K.

Miso vs Defatted Soy Meal Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing miso vs defatted soy meal.

This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of miso and defatted soy meal and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.

MisoDefatted Soy Meal
Energy198 kcal337 kcal
Carbs25.4 g35.9 g
Sugar6.2 g6.2 g
Fiber5.4 g5.4 g
Protein12.8 g49.2 g
Fat6.01 g2.39 g
Saturated Fat1.02 g0.268 g

Miso vs Defatted Soy Meal Calories

Most calories in raw 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 miso vs defatted soy meal for weight loss, miso is slightly lower in calories, with 198 calories per 100 grams, compared to 337 calories per 100 grams of defatted soy meal.

However, both miso and defatted soy meal can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.

Miso vs Defatted Soy Meal Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including miso and defatted soy meal, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Defatted Soy Meal offers around 74% more protein than miso.

Defatted Soy Meal has 49.2 grams of protein per 100 grams, while miso has 12.8 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Miso vs Defatted Soy Meal 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 miso and defatted soy meal.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 29% higher in defatted soy meal than in miso. It have 35.9 grams per 100 grams, compared to 25.4 grams in miso.

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One handful of miso and defatted soy meal (28 grams) contains 1.7 grams of sugar, the same amount.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in miso and defatted soy meal.

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

Miso and defatted soy meal contain the same amount of fiber, 1.5 grams per portion.

Miso vs Defatted Soy Meal Fats

Like most other legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, miso and defatted soy meal are low in fat.

Fats in miso and defatted soy meal are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in miso and defatted soy meal:

  • Miso: 6 grams per 100 grams
  • Defatted Soy Meal: 2.4 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, defatted soy meal is 70% lower in saturated fats.

Defatted Soy Meal and miso contain 0.3 grams and 1 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Miso vs Defatted Soy Meal Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of miso and defatted soy meal.

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

Miso has a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and vitamin B9 (Folate).

However, defatted soy meal has a higher amount of vitamin A, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

Miso and defatted soy meal contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K.

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins miso and defatted soy meal contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

MisoDefatted Soy Meal
Vitamin A87 IU40 IU
Vitamin C00
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.098 mg0.691 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.233 mg0.251 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)0.906 mg2.59 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.337 mg1.98 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.199 mg0.569 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)19 µg303 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)0.08 µg0
Vitamin E0.01 mg0.01 mg
Vitamin K29.3 µg29.3 µg

Miso vs Defatted Soy Meal 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 miso and defatted soy meal comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Miso is a better source of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc than defatted soy meal.

On the other hand, defatted soy meal is a higher amount of selenium, and sodium.

Miso and defatted soy meal contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how miso and defatted soy meal compare when it comes to mineral content.

MisoDefatted Soy Meal
Calcium57 mg244 mg
Copper0.42 mg2 mg
Fluoride00
Iron2.49 mg13.7 mg
Magnesium48 mg306 mg
Manganese0.859 mg3.8 mg
Phosphorus159 mg701 mg
Potassium210 mg2490 mg
Selenium7 µg3.3 µg
Sodium3730 mg3 mg
Zinc2.56 mg5.06 mg

The Final Word

Miso and defatted soy meal are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both miso and defatted soy meal are high in specific vitamins and minerals, and including them in your diet will give you the most benefits they offer.

Antioxidants found in beans 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 are 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

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.

How we ensure this article is accurate?
  1. It's written and or reviewed by an expert.
  2. We cite relevant studies and trusted sources.
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