Pumpkin Seeds vs Broad (Fava) Beans: How Do They Compare?
Although pumpkin seeds and broad (fava) 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 pumpkin seeds belong to the nuts and seeds group, broad (fava) beans belong to legumes food group.
That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares pumpkin seeds and broad (fava) 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 pumpkin seeds and broad (fava) beans compare specifically.
Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo) are edible seeds that come from pumpkins, which are a type of gourd native to North America.
These seeds have a slightly nutty and slightly sweet flavor, and are often eaten as a snack or used in a variety of dishes.
Pumpkin 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 pumpkin seeds into your diet.
They can be eaten raw or roasted and are often used as a topping for salads and other dishes.
Pumpkin seeds are also available in a variety of forms, including whole, chopped, and ground into flour.
Pumpkin seeds 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 seed to add to your diet, consider giving pumpkin seeds a try.
They are flavorful, versatile, and have a variety of health benefits.
Pumpkin Seeds is an excellent source of Vitamin B3 (Niacin).
It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B9 (Folate), and Vitamin E and some Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin K.
Broad (Fava) Beans
Broad beans, also known as fava beans or faba beans (Vicia faba), are a type of legume native to North Africa and the Middle East.
They are a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to their high protein and fiber content, as well as their mild, slightly sweet flavor.
Broad 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 broad bean soup, dips such as Bigilla, and salads.
In addition to being a nutritious food, broad 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.
Broad (Fava) Beans are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).
They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) and some Vitamin K.
Pumpkin Seeds vs Broad (Fava) Beans Nutrition
Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing pumpkin seeds vs broad (fava) beans.
This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of pumpkin seeds and broad (fava) beans and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.
Pumpkin Seeds | Broad (Fava) Beans | |
---|---|---|
Energy | 559 kcal | 341 kcal |
Carbs | 10.7 g | 58.3 g |
Sugar | 1.4 g | 5.7 g |
Fiber | 6 g | 25 g |
Protein | 30.2 g | 26.1 g |
Fat | 49 g | 1.53 g |
Saturated Fat | 8.66 g | 0.254 g |
Pumpkin Seeds vs Broad (Fava) Beans Calories
Comparing broad (fava) beans vs pumpkin seeds for weight loss, broad (fava) beans are slightly lower in calories, with 341 calories per 100 grams, compared to 559 calories per 100 grams of pumpkin seeds.
However, both pumpkin seeds and broad (fava) 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.
Pumpkin Seeds vs Broad (Fava) Beans Protein
Legumes and most legume products, including pumpkin seeds and broad (fava) beans, are important sources of plant-based protein.
Pumpkin Seeds offers around 14% more protein than broad (fava) beans.
Pumpkin Seeds has 30.2 grams of protein per 100 grams, while broad (fava) beans have 26.1 grams of protein per 100 grams.
Pumpkin Seeds vs Broad (Fava) 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 pumpkin seeds and broad (fava) beans.
The total amount of carbohydrates is around 82% higher in broad (fava) beans than in pumpkin seeds. They have 58.3 grams per 100 grams, compared to 10.7 grams in pumpkin seeds.
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There’s less sugar in pumpkin seeds than in broad (fava) beans, 75% precisely.
One handful of pumpkin seeds (28 grams) contains 0.4 grams of sugar, while the same amount of broad (fava) beans contains 1.6 grams.
Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in pumpkin seeds and broad (fava) beans.
Dietary fiber keeps the digestive system healthy and helps with weight management by promoting a sense of fullness.
With 7 grams of fiber per portion, broad (fava) beans are a better source of fiber than pumpkin seeds which offer 1.7 grams per portion.
Pumpkin Seeds vs Broad (Fava) Beans Fats
Fats in pumpkin seeds and broad (fava) beans are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.
Total fat in pumpkin seeds and broad (fava) beans:
- Pumpkin Seeds: 49 grams per 100 grams
- Broad (Fava) Beans: 1.5 per 100 grams
Speaking of saturated fats, broad (fava) beans are 97% lower in saturated fats.
Broad (Fava) Beans and pumpkin seeds contain 0.3 grams and 8.7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.
Pumpkin Seeds vs Broad (Fava) Beans Vitamins Content
This section will discuss the vitamin content of pumpkin seeds and broad (fava) beans.
Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning we need only a small amount. However, they are very important for many processes in our bodies.
Pumpkin Seeds has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin K.
However, broad (fava) beans have a higher amount of vitamin C, vitamin B3 (Niacin), and vitamin E.
Pumpkin Seeds and broad (fava) beans contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).
The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins pumpkin seeds and broad (fava) beans contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.
Pumpkin Seeds | Broad (Fava) Beans | |
---|---|---|
Vitamin A | 16 IU | 53 IU |
Vitamin C | 1.9 mg | 1.4 mg |
Vitamin D | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.273 mg | 0.555 mg |
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.153 mg | 0.333 mg |
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 4.99 mg | 2.83 mg |
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.75 mg | 0.976 mg |
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) | 0.143 mg | 0.366 mg |
Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 58 µg | 423 µg |
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin E | 2.18 mg | 0.05 mg |
Vitamin K | 7.3 µg | 9 µg |
Pumpkin Seeds vs Broad (Fava) 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 pumpkin seeds and broad (fava) beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.
Pumpkin Seeds is a better source of calcium, fluoride, potassium, and sodium than broad (fava) beans.
On the other hand, broad (fava) beans are a higher amount of copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc.
Check out the table below to learn how pumpkin seeds and broad (fava) beans compare when it comes to mineral content.
Pumpkin Seeds | Broad (Fava) Beans | |
---|---|---|
Calcium | 46 mg | 103 mg |
Copper | 1.34 mg | 0.824 mg |
Fluoride | 0 | 2.2 µg |
Iron | 8.82 mg | 6.7 mg |
Magnesium | 592 mg | 192 mg |
Manganese | 4.54 mg | 1.63 mg |
Phosphorus | 1230 mg | 421 mg |
Potassium | 809 mg | 1060 mg |
Selenium | 9.4 µg | 8.2 µg |
Sodium | 7 mg | 13 mg |
Zinc | 7.81 mg | 3.14 mg |
The Final Word
Pumpkin Seeds and broad (fava) beans are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.
Both pumpkin seeds and broad (fava) 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.
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.
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