Pecans vs Pinto Beans: Which Is Better?

Although pecans 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 pecans 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 pecans 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 pecans and pinto beans compare specifically.

Pecans

Pecans (Carya illinoinensis) are a type of nut that is native to the United States and are now grown in many parts of the world.

These nuts have a sweet and slightly buttery flavor and are often used in sweet and savory dishes.

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

There are many ways to incorporate pecans 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.

Pecans are also available in various forms, including whole, chopped, and ground into flour.

Pecans 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.

It is vital to store pecans in the refrigerator or freezer to keep them fresh and prevent them from going rancid.

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

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

Pecans is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) and some Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B9 (Folate), and Vitamin E.

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.

Pecans 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 pecans vs pinto beans.

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

Pecans vs Pinto Beans Calories

Comparing pinto beans vs pecans for weight loss, pinto beans are slightly lower in calories, with 347 calories per 100 grams, compared to 691 calories per 100 grams of pecans.

However, both pecans 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.

Pecans vs Pinto Beans Protein

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

Pinto Beans offer around 57% more protein than pecans.

Pinto Beans have 21.4 grams of protein per 100 grams, while pecans has 9.2 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Pecans 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 pecans and pinto beans.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 78% higher in pinto beans than in pecans. They have 62.6 grams per 100 grams, compared to 13.9 grams in pecans.

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There’s less sugar in pinto beans than in pecans, 45% precisely.

One handful of pinto beans (28 grams) contains 0.6 grams of sugar, while the same amount of pecans contains 1.1 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in pecans 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 pecans which offer 2.7 grams per portion.

Pecans vs Pinto Beans Fats

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

Total fat in pecans and pinto beans:

• Pecans: 72 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 pecans contain 0.2 grams and 6.2 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Pecans vs Pinto Beans Vitamins Content

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

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

Pecans 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 A, vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and vitamin E.

Pecans and pinto beans contain the same amount of vitamin D, vitamin B3 (Niacin), and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

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

Pecans 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 pecans and pinto beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Pecans is a better source of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and sodium than pinto beans.

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

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

The Final Word

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

Both pecans 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.