Oats vs Tempeh: How Are They Different?

Although oats and tempeh belong to different food groups, while oats 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 oats 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 oats and tempeh compare specifically.

Oats

Oats (Avena sativa) is a type of cereal grain grown for their edible seeds, also known as groats.

They are a good source of dietary fibers, particularly beta-glucan, which has been linked to various health benefits such as reducing cholesterol levels and improving digestion. They also provide a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants such as vitamin E, zinc, iron, and manganese.

Oats are a staple ingredient in many breakfast foods such as oatmeal, granola, and muesli. They can also be used as an ingredient in baking, added to smoothies, and used as breading for meat and fish dishes. Oat flour, made from ground oats, can also be a gluten-free alternative in baking.

Oats are also considered a functional food, as they have been shown to positively impact health when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet.

Oats is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).

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.

Oats 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 oats vs tempeh.

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

Oats 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 oats for weight loss, tempeh is slightly lower in calories, with 192 calories per 100 grams, compared to 389 calories per 100 grams of oats.

However, both oats 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.

Oats vs Tempeh Protein

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

Tempeh offers around 17% more protein than oats.

Tempeh has 20.3 grams of protein per 100 grams, while oats has 16.9 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Oats 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 oats and tempeh.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 89% higher in oats than in tempeh. It have 66.3 grams per 100 grams, compared to 7.6 grams in tempeh.

There’s less sugar in oats than in tempeh, 100% precisely.

One handful of oats (28 grams) contains 0 grams of sugar, while the same amount of tempeh contains 2.1 grams.

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

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, oats is a better source of fiber than tempeh which oats offers 2.6 grams per portion.

Oats vs Tempeh Fats

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

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

Total fat in oats and tempeh:

• Oats: 6.9 grams per 100 grams
• Tempeh: 10.8 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, oats is 52% lower in saturated fats.

Oats and tempeh contain 1.2 grams and 2.5 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Oats vs Tempeh Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of oats and tempeh.

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

Oats has a higher amount of vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

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

Oats and tempeh contain the same amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin D.

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

Oats 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 oats and tempeh comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Oats 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, selenium, and zinc.

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

The Final Word

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

Both oats 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.