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Pine Nuts (Pinyons) vs Miso: What’s The Difference?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between pine nuts (pinyons) and miso, foods from the grains and legumes food groups. Read on to learn more about the pine nuts (pinyons) vs miso comparison.
Catherine Toledo, Journalist

Written by Catherine Toledo, Journalist. Updated on March 17, 2023.

Although pine nuts (pinyons) and miso 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 pine nuts (pinyons) belong to the nuts and seeds group, miso belong to legumes food group.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares pine nuts (pinyons) and miso, 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 pine nuts (pinyons) and miso compare specifically.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons)

Pine nuts, also known as pinyons (Pinus spp.), are the edible seeds of certain species of pine trees.

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

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

There are many ways to incorporate pine nuts 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. Pine nuts are also available in various forms, including whole, chopped, and ground into flour.

Pine nuts 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 pine nuts a try.

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

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B3 (Niacin).

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

Miso

Miso (fermented soybean paste) is a traditional Japanese condiment made by fermenting soybeans with salt and a type of fungus called koji.

It is a thick, paste-like substance that adds flavor to various dishes, such as soups, sauces, and marinades.

Miso is an important part of Japanese cuisine and has been used for centuries to preserve and enhance food flavor.

One of the main health benefits of miso is its high protein content. Miso is made from soybeans, a good source of plant-based protein, making it a popular choice for vegetarians and vegans.

Miso also contains many nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. The fermentation process used to make miso also helps to increase the bioavailability of these nutrients, making them easier for the body to absorb.

In terms of health benefits, miso has been shown to have many positive effects on the body.

It is a good source of probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that help balance the gut microbiome.

Miso may also help to reduce the risk of certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, due to its high content of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.

Miso is not an excellent source of any particular vitamin.

However, it also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin K and some Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) vs Miso Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing pine nuts (pinyons) vs miso.

This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of pine nuts (pinyons) and miso and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons)Miso
Energy629 kcal198 kcal
Carbs19.3 g25.4 g
Sugar6.2 g
Fiber10.7 g5.4 g
Protein11.6 g12.8 g
Fat61 g6.01 g
Saturated Fat9.38 g1.02 g

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) vs Miso Calories

Comparing miso vs pine nuts (pinyons) for weight loss, miso is slightly lower in calories, with 198 calories per 100 grams, compared to 629 calories per 100 grams of pine nuts (pinyons).

However, both pine nuts (pinyons) and miso can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) vs Miso Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including pine nuts (pinyons) and miso, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Miso offers around 9% more protein than pine nuts (pinyons).

Miso has 12.8 grams of protein per 100 grams, while pine nuts (pinyons) has 11.6 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) vs Miso 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 pine nuts (pinyons) and miso.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 24% higher in miso than in pine nuts (pinyons). It have 25.4 grams per 100 grams, compared to 19.3 grams in pine nuts (pinyons).

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There’s less sugar in pine nuts (pinyons) than in miso, 100% precisely.

One handful of pine nuts (pinyons) (28 grams) contains 0 grams of sugar, while the same amount of miso contains 1.7 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in pine nuts (pinyons) and miso.

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, pine nuts (pinyons) is a better source of fiber than miso which pine nuts (pinyons) offers 1.5 grams per portion.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) vs Miso Fats

Fats in pine nuts (pinyons) and miso are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in pine nuts (pinyons) and miso:

  • Pine Nuts (Pinyons): 61 grams per 100 grams
  • Miso: 6 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, miso is 89% lower in saturated fats.

Miso and pine nuts (pinyons) contain 1 grams and 9.4 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) vs Miso Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of pine nuts (pinyons) and miso.

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

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

However, miso has a higher amount of vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B3 (Niacin), and vitamin B9 (Folate).

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) and miso contain the same amount of vitamin D.

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins pine nuts (pinyons) and miso contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons)Miso
Vitamin A29 IU87 IU
Vitamin C2 mg0
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)1.24 mg0.098 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.223 mg0.233 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)4.37 mg0.906 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.21 mg0.337 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.111 mg0.199 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)58 µg19 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00.08 µg
Vitamin E00.01 mg
Vitamin K029.3 µg

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) vs Miso 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 pine nuts (pinyons) and miso comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) is a better source of calcium, phosphorus, selenium, and sodium than miso.

On the other hand, miso is a higher amount of copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and zinc.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) and miso contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how pine nuts (pinyons) and miso compare when it comes to mineral content.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons)Miso
Calcium8 mg57 mg
Copper1.04 mg0.42 mg
Fluoride00
Iron3.06 mg2.49 mg
Magnesium234 mg48 mg
Manganese4.33 mg0.859 mg
Phosphorus35 mg159 mg
Potassium628 mg210 mg
Selenium07 µg
Sodium72 mg3730 mg
Zinc4.28 mg2.56 mg

The Final Word

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) and miso are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both pine nuts (pinyons) and miso 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

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