Pecans vs Pistachios: Difference & Similarities

Pecans and pistachios 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 pecans and pistachios and compare their similarities and differences.

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

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 are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine).

They also contain 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.

Pistachios

Pistachios (Pistacia vera) are a type of nut that is native to the Middle East and are now grown in many parts of the world.

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

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

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

Pistachios are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).

They also contain a good amount of Vitamin A, Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B9 (Folate), and Vitamin E and some Vitamin C, and Vitamin B3 (Niacin).

Pecans vs Pistachios 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 pistachios.

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

Pecans vs Pistachios Calories

Nuts and seeds are generally high in calories; the same goes for pecans and pistachios, 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 pistachios vs pecans for weight loss, pistachios are slightly lower in calories, with 157 calories per serving, compared to 193 calories per serving of pecans.

However, both pecans and pistachios 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.

Pecans vs Pistachios Protein

Nuts and seeds, including pecans and pistachios, are an important source of plant-based protein.

Pistachios offer around 54% more protein than pecans.

Pistachios have 20.2 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 5.7g per serving), while pecans have 9.2 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 2.6g per serving).

Pecans vs Pistachios 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 pistachios.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 49% higher in pistachios than in pecans. They have 27.2 grams per 100 grams, compared to 13.9 grams in pecans.

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There’s less sugar in pecans than in pistachios, 48% precisely.

One handful of pecans (28 grams) contains 1.1 grams of sugar, while the same amount of pistachios contains 2.1 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in pecans and pistachios.

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, pistachios are a better source of fiber than pecans which offer 2.7 grams per portion.

Pecans vs Pistachios Fats

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

Total fat in pecans and pistachios:

• Pecans: 72 grams per 100 grams
• Pistachios: 45.3 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, pistachios are 5% lower in saturated fats.

Pistachios and pecans contain 5.9 grams and 6.2 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Pecans vs Pistachios Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of pecans and pistachios.

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

Pecans have a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin E.

However, pistachios have a higher amount of vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and vitamin K.

Pecans and pistachios contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

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

Pecans vs Pistachios 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 pistachios comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Pecans are a better source of calcium, copper, iron, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and sodium than pistachios.

On the other hand, pistachios have a higher amount of fluoride, manganese, and zinc.

Pecans and pistachios contain the same amount of magnesium.

Check out the table below to learn how pecans and pistachios compare when it comes to mineral contents.

The Final Word

Pecans and pistachios 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 pecans and pistachios 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.