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Peanuts vs Sesame Seeds: How Do They Compare?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between peanuts and sesame seeds, foods from the nuts and seeds group. Read on to learn more about the peanuts vs sesame seeds comparison.
Catherine Toledo, Journalist

Written by Catherine Toledo, Journalist. Updated on January 6, 2023.

Peanuts and sesame seeds belong to the nuts and seeds food group, an important group for a healthy diet, as they provide a wide range of essential nutrients, such as protein, healthy fats, dietary fiber, and vitamins and minerals.

In this article, we’ll put a spotlight on peanuts and sesame seeds and compare their similarities and differences.

They both provide a variety of nutrients and are relatively high in calories, like other nuts and seeds.

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

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

Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum) are the seeds of the sesame plant, which is native to tropical regions of Africa and is now grown in many parts of the world.

These seeds have a slightly nutty and slightly sweet flavor, and are often used in a variety of dishes, including breads, pastries, and savory dishes.

Sesame seeds 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 sesame seeds into your diet.

They can be eaten raw or roasted, and are often used as a topping for salads and other dishes.

Sesame seeds are widely available and can be found at most grocery stores.

If you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious seed to add to your diet, consider giving sesame seeds a try.

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

Sesame Seeds are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).

They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

Peanuts vs Sesame Seeds 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 sesame seeds.

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

PeanutsSesame Seeds
Energy587 kcal573 kcal
Carbs21.26 g23.45 g
Sugar4.9 g0.3 g
Fiber8.4 g11.8 g
Protein24.35 g17.73 g
Fat49.66 g49.67 g
Saturated Fat7.723 g6.957 g

Peanuts vs Sesame Seeds Calories

Nuts and seeds are generally high in calories; the same goes for peanuts and sesame seeds, so you should consume them in moderation.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a proper serving is one ounce, which is roughly equal to 1/4 cup or 28 grams.

To keep the portions under control, the amounts correspond to one serving size: 14 walnut halves, 16 cashews, 24 almonds, 28 peanuts, or 45 pistachios.

Comparing sesame seeds vs peanuts for weight loss, sesame seeds are slightly lower in calories, with 160 calories per serving, compared to 164 calories per serving of peanuts.

However, both peanuts and sesame seeds can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight. It’s just important to eat them in moderation.

Peanuts vs Sesame Seeds Protein

Nuts and seeds, including peanuts and sesame seeds, are an important source of plant-based protein.

Peanuts offer around 26% more protein than sesame seeds.

Peanuts have 24.4 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 6.8g per serving), while sesame seeds have 17.7 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 5g per serving).

Peanuts vs Sesame Seeds 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 sesame seeds.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 9% higher in sesame seeds than in peanuts. They have 23.5 grams per 100 grams, compared to 21.3 grams in peanuts.

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There’s less sugar in sesame seeds than in peanuts, 93% precisely.

One handful of sesame seeds (28 grams) contains 0.1 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 sesame seeds.

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

With 3.3 grams of fiber per portion, sesame seeds are a better source of fiber than peanuts which offer 2.4 grams per portion.

Peanuts vs Sesame Seeds Fats

Like the other nuts and seeds, fats in peanuts and sesame seeds are a great source of healthy unsaturated fats, naturally cholesterol free, and free of trans fats.

Total fat in peanuts and sesame seeds:

  • Peanuts: 49.7 grams per 100 grams
  • Sesame Seeds: 49.7 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, sesame seeds are 9% lower in saturated fats.

Sesame Seeds and peanuts contain 7 grams and 7.7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Peanuts vs Sesame Seeds Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of peanuts and sesame seeds.

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

Peanuts have a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).

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

Peanuts and sesame seeds contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin B9 (Folate), vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), and vitamin K.

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

PeanutsSesame Seeds
Vitamin A09 IU
Vitamin C00
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.152 mg0.791 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.197 mg0.247 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)14.355 mg4.515 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)1.011 mg0.05 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.466 mg0.79 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)97 µg97 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E4.93 mg0.25 mg
Vitamin K00

Peanuts vs Sesame Seeds 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 sesame seeds comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Peanuts are a better source of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, and zinc than sesame seeds.

On the other hand, sesame seeds have a higher amount of potassium.

Peanuts and sesame seeds contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how peanuts and sesame seeds compare when it comes to mineral contents.

PeanutsSesame Seeds
Calcium58 mg975 mg
Copper0.428 mg4.082 mg
Fluoride00
Iron1.58 mg14.55 mg
Magnesium178 mg351 mg
Manganese1.786 mg2.46 mg
Phosphorus363 mg629 mg
Potassium634 mg468 mg
Selenium9.3 µg34.4 µg
Sodium6 mg11 mg
Zinc2.77 mg7.75 mg

The Final Word

Peanuts and sesame seeds are highly nutritious and excellent sources of plant-based protein and healthy fats.

Although they are relatively high in calories, they are essential to a healthy, plant-based diet and are linked to many health benefits.

Both peanuts and sesame seeds are high in specific vitamins and minerals, and including them in your diet will give you the most benefits they offer.

Nuts and seeds are versatile foods, and can be part of any meal or salad, just be sure to eat them moderately, as they are loaded with calories.

Nuts and seeds are versatile foods and can be part of any meal or salad, just be sure to eat them moderately, as they are loaded with calories.

Sources

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