Pine Nuts (Pinyons) vs Pistachios: How Do They Compare?

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) 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 pine nuts (pinyons) 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.

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) are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B3 (Niacin).

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

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).

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) 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 pine nuts (pinyons) vs pistachios.

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

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) vs Pistachios Calories

Nuts and seeds are generally high in calories; the same goes for pine nuts (pinyons) 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 pine nuts (pinyons) for weight loss, pistachios are slightly lower in calories, with 157 calories per serving, compared to 176 calories per serving of pine nuts (pinyons).

However, both pine nuts (pinyons) 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.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) vs Pistachios Protein

Nuts and seeds, including pine nuts (pinyons) and pistachios, are an important source of plant-based protein.

Pistachios offer around 44% more protein than pine nuts (pinyons).

Pistachios have 20.2 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 5.7g per serving), while pine nuts (pinyons) have 11.6 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 3.2g per serving).

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) 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 pine nuts (pinyons) and pistachios.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 29% higher in pistachios than in pine nuts (pinyons). They have 27.2 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 pistachios, 100% precisely.

One handful of pine nuts (pinyons) (28 grams) contains 0 grams of sugar, while the same amount of pistachios contains 2.1 grams.

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

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

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) and pistachios contain the same amount of fiber, 3 grams per portion.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) vs Pistachios Fats

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

Total fat in pine nuts (pinyons) and pistachios:

• Pine Nuts (Pinyons): 61 grams per 100 grams
• Pistachios: 45.3 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, pistachios are 37% lower in saturated fats.

Pistachios and pine nuts (pinyons) contain 5.9 grams and 9.4 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) vs Pistachios Vitamins Content

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

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

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) have a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and vitamin E.

However, pistachios have a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), and vitamin B9 (Folate).

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) and pistachios contain the same amount of vitamin D, vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), and vitamin K.

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

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

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) are a better source of calcium, copper, fluoride, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium than pistachios.

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

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

The Final Word

Pine Nuts (Pinyons) 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 pine nuts (pinyons) 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.