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Peanuts vs Pinto Beans: What’s The Difference?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between peanuts and pinto beans, foods from the grains and legumes food groups. Read on to learn more about the peanuts vs pinto beans comparison.
Michael Whaley, Health Writer

Written by Michael Whaley, Health Writer. Updated on March 19, 2023.

Although peanuts and pinto beans 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 peanuts belong to the nuts and seeds group, pinto beans belong to legumes food group.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares peanuts and pinto beans, 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 peanuts and pinto beans compare specifically.

Peanuts

Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) are a type of legume that is native to South America and is now grown in many parts of the world.

These nuts have a slightly sweet and slightly nutty flavor, and are often used in both sweet and savory dishes.

Peanuts are a good source of nutrients, including protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals. They are also a good source of healthy fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

There are many ways to incorporate peanuts 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.

Peanuts are also available in a variety of forms, including whole, chopped, and ground into flour.

Peanuts 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.

If you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious nut to add to your diet, consider giving peanuts a try.

They are flavorful, versatile, and have a variety of health benefits.

Peanuts is an excellent source of Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin E.

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

Pinto Beans

Pinto beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are a type of legume native to Central and South America.

They are a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to their high protein and fiber content, as well as their rich, nutty flavor.

Pinto beans 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 pinto bean soup, chili, and salads.

In addition to being a nutritious food, pinto beans 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.

Pinto Beans are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) and some Vitamin C, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin K.

Peanuts vs Pinto Beans Nutrition

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

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

PeanutsPinto Beans
Energy587 kcal347 kcal
Carbs21.26 g62.6 g
Sugar4.9 g2.11 g
Fiber8.4 g15.5 g
Protein24.35 g21.4 g
Fat49.66 g1.23 g
Saturated Fat7.723 g0.235 g

Peanuts vs Pinto Beans Calories

Comparing pinto beans vs peanuts for weight loss, pinto beans are slightly lower in calories, with 347 calories per 100 grams, compared to 587 calories per 100 grams of peanuts.

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

Peanuts vs Pinto Beans Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including peanuts and pinto beans, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Peanuts offers around 12% more protein than pinto beans.

Peanuts has 24.4 grams of protein per 100 grams, while pinto beans have 21.4 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Peanuts vs Pinto Beans 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 peanuts and pinto beans.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 66% higher in pinto beans than in peanuts. They have 62.6 grams per 100 grams, compared to 21.3 grams in peanuts.

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There’s less sugar in pinto beans than in peanuts, 57% precisely.

One handful of pinto beans (28 grams) contains 0.6 grams of sugar, while the same amount of peanuts contains 1.4 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in peanuts and pinto beans.

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

With 4.3 grams of fiber per portion, pinto beans are a better source of fiber than peanuts which offer 2.4 grams per portion.

Peanuts vs Pinto Beans Fats

Fats in peanuts and pinto beans are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in peanuts and pinto beans:

  • Peanuts: 49.7 grams per 100 grams
  • Pinto Beans: 1.2 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, pinto beans are 97% lower in saturated fats.

Pinto Beans and peanuts contain 0.2 grams and 7.7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Peanuts vs Pinto Beans Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of peanuts and pinto beans.

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

Peanuts has a higher amount of vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin K.

However, pinto beans have a higher amount of vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and vitamin E.

Peanuts and pinto beans contain the same amount of vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

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

PeanutsPinto Beans
Vitamin A00
Vitamin C06.3 mg
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.152 mg0.713 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.197 mg0.212 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)14.355 mg1.17 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)1.011 mg0.785 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.466 mg0.474 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)97 µg525 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E4.93 mg0.21 mg
Vitamin K05.6 µg

Peanuts vs Pinto Beans 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 peanuts and pinto beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Peanuts is a better source of calcium, copper, fluoride, iron, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and sodium than pinto beans.

On the other hand, pinto beans are a higher amount of magnesium, manganese, and zinc.

Check out the table below to learn how peanuts and pinto beans compare when it comes to mineral content.

PeanutsPinto Beans
Calcium58 mg113 mg
Copper0.428 mg0.893 mg
Fluoride02.2 µg
Iron1.58 mg5.07 mg
Magnesium178 mg176 mg
Manganese1.786 mg1.15 mg
Phosphorus363 mg411 mg
Potassium634 mg1390 mg
Selenium9.3 µg27.9 µg
Sodium6 mg12 mg
Zinc2.77 mg2.28 mg

The Final Word

Peanuts and pinto beans are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both peanuts and pinto beans 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.

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.
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