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Pistachios vs Chickpea Flour: Difference, Benefits, More

This article explains the key similarities and differences between pistachios and chickpea flour, foods from the grains and legumes food groups. Read on to learn more about the pistachios vs chickpea flour comparison.
Michael Whaley, Health Writer

Written by Michael Whaley, Health Writer. Updated on March 11, 2023.

Although pistachios and chickpea flour 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 pistachios belong to the nuts and seeds group, chickpea flour belong to legumes food group.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares pistachios and chickpea flour, 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 pistachios and chickpea flour compare specifically.

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

It also contains 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).

Chickpea Flour

Chickpea flour, also known as gram flour or besan, is a type of flour made from ground, dried chickpeas.

It is a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to its high protein and fiber content, as well as its nutty, slightly sweet flavor.

Chickpea flour is a good source of several important nutrients, including potassium, iron, and B vitamins.

It can be used in a variety of dishes, including breads, pancakes, and fritters, and is also a key ingredient in traditional dishes such as falafel and socca.

There’s also a pasta made of chickpea flour. Check out how chickpea pasta compares to a regular pasta.

In addition to being a nutritious food, chickpea flour has been shown to have a number of potential health benefits.

It is a good source of antioxidants, and has been linked to lower levels of cholesterol and improved blood sugar control.

Chickpea flour is also a good source of several important minerals, including iron, zinc, and magnesium.

Chickpea Flour is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

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

Pistachios vs Chickpea Flour Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing pistachios vs chickpea flour.

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

PistachiosChickpea Flour
Energy560 kcal387 kcal
Carbs27.2 g57.8 g
Sugar7.66 g10.8 g
Fiber10.6 g10.8 g
Protein20.2 g22.4 g
Fat45.3 g6.69 g
Saturated Fat5.91 g0.693 g

Pistachios vs Chickpea Flour Calories

Comparing chickpea flour vs pistachios for weight loss, chickpea flour is slightly lower in calories, with 387 calories per 100 grams, compared to 560 calories per 100 grams of pistachios.

However, both pistachios and chickpea flour can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.

Pistachios vs Chickpea Flour Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including pistachios and chickpea flour, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Chickpea Flour offers around 10% more protein than pistachios.

Chickpea Flour has 22.4 grams of protein per 100 grams, while pistachios has 20.2 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Pistachios vs Chickpea Flour 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 pistachios and chickpea flour.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 53% higher in chickpea flour than in pistachios. It have 57.8 grams per 100 grams, compared to 27.2 grams in pistachios.

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There’s less sugar in pistachios than in chickpea flour, 30% precisely.

One handful of pistachios (28 grams) contains 2.1 grams of sugar, while the same amount of chickpea flour contains 3 grams.

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

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

Pistachios and chickpea flour contain the same amount of fiber, 3 grams per portion.

Pistachios vs Chickpea Flour Fats

Fats in pistachios and chickpea flour are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in pistachios and chickpea flour:

  • Pistachios: 45.3 grams per 100 grams
  • Chickpea Flour: 6.7 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, chickpea flour is 88% lower in saturated fats.

Chickpea Flour and pistachios contain 0.7 grams and 5.9 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Pistachios vs Chickpea Flour Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of pistachios and chickpea flour.

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

Pistachios has a higher amount of vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin K.

However, chickpea flour has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and vitamin E.

Pistachios and chickpea flour contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

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

PistachiosChickpea Flour
Vitamin A516 IU41 IU
Vitamin C5.6 mg0
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.87 mg0.486 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.16 mg0.106 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)1.3 mg1.76 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.52 mg0.606 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)1.7 mg0.492 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)51 µg437 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E2.86 mg0.83 mg
Vitamin K09.1 µg

Pistachios vs Chickpea Flour 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 pistachios and chickpea flour comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Pistachios is a better source of iron, magnesium, manganese, selenium, sodium, and zinc than chickpea flour.

On the other hand, chickpea flour is a higher amount of calcium, copper, fluoride, phosphorus, and potassium.

Check out the table below to learn how pistachios and chickpea flour compare when it comes to mineral content.

PistachiosChickpea Flour
Calcium105 mg45 mg
Copper1.3 mg0.912 mg
Fluoride3.4 µg2.2 µg
Iron3.92 mg4.86 mg
Magnesium121 mg166 mg
Manganese1.2 mg1.6 mg
Phosphorus490 mg318 mg
Potassium1020 mg846 mg
Selenium7 µg8.3 µg
Sodium1 mg64 mg
Zinc2.2 mg2.81 mg

The Final Word

Pistachios and chickpea flour are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both pistachios and chickpea flour 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

Holy Peas has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals, associations and government institutions. Read more about our process.

How we ensure this article is accurate?
  1. It's written and or reviewed by an expert.
  2. We cite relevant studies and trusted sources.
  3. It's regularly updated.

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