Poppy Seeds vs Tofu: Which Is Better?

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

Written by Esther Bumpus, Health Writer. Updated on March 18, 2023.

Although poppy seeds and tofu 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, tofu belong to legumes food group.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares poppy seeds and tofu, 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 tofu 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).

Tofu

Tofu, also known as bean curd, is a popular plant-based alternative to dairy products that is made from soybeans.

Tofu is native to China and has been used as a dietary staple for thousands of years. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various dishes, such as soups, stews, and stir-fries.

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

Tofu is also low in calories and fat, making it a good choice for those looking to manage their weight.

It is also rich in nutrients important for vegans such as iron, calcium, and manganese, and it contains many plant compounds that have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

In terms of health benefits, tofu has been shown to have a number of positive effects on the body.

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

Tofu 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.

Tofu is not an excellent source of any particular vitamin.

However, it also contains Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) in a small amount.

Poppy Seeds vs Tofu 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 tofu.

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

Poppy SeedsTofu
Energy525 kcal76 kcal
Carbs28.1 g1.87 g
Sugar2.99 g0.62 g
Fiber19.5 g0.3 g
Protein18 g8.08 g
Fat41.6 g4.78 g
Saturated Fat4.52 g0.691 g

Poppy Seeds vs Tofu Calories

Comparing tofu vs poppy seeds for weight loss, tofu is slightly lower in calories, with 76 calories per 100 grams, compared to 525 calories per 100 grams of poppy seeds.

However, both poppy seeds and tofu 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 Tofu Protein

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

Poppy Seeds offers around 55% more protein than tofu.

Poppy Seeds has 18 grams of protein per 100 grams, while tofu has 8.1 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Poppy Seeds vs Tofu 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 tofu.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 93% higher in poppy seeds than in tofu. It have 28.1 grams per 100 grams, compared to 1.9 grams in tofu.

There’s less sugar in tofu than in poppy seeds, 75% precisely.

One handful of tofu (28 grams) contains 0.2 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 tofu.

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 tofu which poppy seeds offers 0.1 grams per portion.

Poppy Seeds vs Tofu Fats

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

Total fat in poppy seeds and tofu:

  • Poppy Seeds: 41.6 grams per 100 grams
  • Tofu: 4.8 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, tofu is 84% lower in saturated fats.

Tofu and poppy seeds contain 0.7 grams and 4.5 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Poppy Seeds vs Tofu Vitamins Content

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

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 A, and vitamin K.

However, tofu has a higher amount of vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin E.

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

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

Poppy SeedsTofu
Vitamin A085 IU
Vitamin C1 mg0.1 mg
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.854 mg0.081 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.1 mg0.052 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)0.896 mg0.195 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.324 mg0.068 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.247 mg0.047 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)82 µg15 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E1.77 mg0.01 mg
Vitamin K02.4 µg

Poppy Seeds vs Tofu 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 tofu comparison focuses on their mineral content.

On the other hand, tofu is a higher amount of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, and zinc.

Poppy Seeds and tofu contain the same amount of fluoride.

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

Poppy SeedsTofu
Calcium1440 mg350 mg
Copper1.63 mg0.193 mg
Fluoride00
Iron9.76 mg5.36 mg
Magnesium347 mg30 mg
Manganese6.71 mg0.605 mg
Phosphorus870 mg97 mg
Potassium719 mg121 mg
Selenium13.5 µg8.9 µg
Sodium26 mg7 mg
Zinc7.9 mg0.8 mg

The Final Word

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

Both poppy seeds and tofu 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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