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Poppy Seeds vs Pinto Beans: How Are They Different?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between poppy seeds and pinto beans, foods from the grains and legumes food groups. Read on to learn more about the poppy seeds vs pinto beans comparison.
Esther Bumpus, Health Writer

Written by Esther Bumpus, Health Writer. Updated on March 19, 2023.

Although poppy seeds 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 poppy seeds 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 poppy seeds 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 poppy seeds and pinto beans compare specifically.

Poppy Seeds

Poppy seeds (Papaver somniferum) are the tiny, black seeds of the poppy plant, native to the Mediterranean region.

These seeds have a slightly nutty and slightly earthy flavor, and are often used in a variety of dishes, including breads, pastries, and savory dishes.

Poppy seeds 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 poppy seeds into your diet.

They can be eaten raw or roasted, and are often used as a topping for salads and other dishes.

If you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious seed to add to your diet, consider giving poppy seeds a try.

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

Poppy Seeds is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine).

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

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.

Poppy Seeds 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 poppy seeds vs pinto beans.

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

Poppy SeedsPinto Beans
Energy525 kcal347 kcal
Carbs28.1 g62.6 g
Sugar2.99 g2.11 g
Fiber19.5 g15.5 g
Protein18 g21.4 g
Fat41.6 g1.23 g
Saturated Fat4.52 g0.235 g

Poppy Seeds vs Pinto Beans Calories

Comparing pinto beans vs poppy seeds for weight loss, pinto beans are slightly lower in calories, with 347 calories per 100 grams, compared to 525 calories per 100 grams of poppy seeds.

However, both poppy seeds 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.

Poppy Seeds vs Pinto Beans Protein

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

Pinto Beans offer around 16% more protein than poppy seeds.

Pinto Beans have 21.4 grams of protein per 100 grams, while poppy seeds has 18 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Poppy Seeds 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 poppy seeds and pinto beans.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 55% higher in pinto beans than in poppy seeds. They have 62.6 grams per 100 grams, compared to 28.1 grams in poppy seeds.

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There’s less sugar in pinto beans than in poppy seeds, 25% precisely.

One handful of pinto beans (28 grams) contains 0.6 grams of sugar, while the same amount of poppy seeds contains 0.8 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in poppy seeds and pinto beans.

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

With 5.5 grams of fiber per portion, poppy seeds is a better source of fiber than pinto beans which poppy seeds offers 4.3 grams per portion.

Poppy Seeds vs Pinto Beans Fats

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

Total fat in poppy seeds and pinto beans:

  • Poppy Seeds: 41.6 grams per 100 grams
  • Pinto Beans: 1.2 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, pinto beans are 96% lower in saturated fats.

Pinto Beans and poppy seeds contain 0.2 grams and 4.5 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Poppy Seeds vs Pinto Beans Vitamins Content

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

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

Poppy Seeds has a higher amount of vitamin C, vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin K.

However, pinto beans have a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and vitamin E.

Poppy Seeds and pinto beans contain the same amount of vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

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

Poppy SeedsPinto Beans
Vitamin A00
Vitamin C1 mg6.3 mg
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.854 mg0.713 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.1 mg0.212 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)0.896 mg1.17 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.324 mg0.785 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.247 mg0.474 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)82 µg525 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E1.77 mg0.21 mg
Vitamin K05.6 µg

Poppy Seeds 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 poppy seeds and pinto beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Poppy Seeds is a better source of fluoride, potassium, and selenium than pinto beans.

On the other hand, pinto beans are a higher amount of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, sodium, and zinc.

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

Poppy SeedsPinto Beans
Calcium1440 mg113 mg
Copper1.63 mg0.893 mg
Fluoride02.2 µg
Iron9.76 mg5.07 mg
Magnesium347 mg176 mg
Manganese6.71 mg1.15 mg
Phosphorus870 mg411 mg
Potassium719 mg1390 mg
Selenium13.5 µg27.9 µg
Sodium26 mg12 mg
Zinc7.9 mg2.28 mg

The Final Word

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

Both poppy seeds 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.

Sources

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