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Pumpkin Seeds vs Defatted Soy Meal: Which Is Better?

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

Written by Esther Bumpus, Health Writer. Updated on March 13, 2023.

Although pumpkin seeds and defatted soy meal 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, defatted soy meal belong to legumes food group.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares pumpkin seeds and defatted soy meal, 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 defatted soy meal 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.

Defatted Soy Meal

Soy meal, also known as defatted soy flour, is a byproduct of the production of soy oil.

It is made by grinding the remaining solids (after the oil has been extracted) into a fine powder.

Soy meal is a good source of plant-based protein and is commonly used as a protein supplement in animal feed and as an ingredient in a variety of food products.

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

Soy meal is also rich in a number of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

It is also a good source of fiber, which can help to improve digestion and lower cholesterol levels.

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

It is a good source of isoflavones, plant compounds that have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Some studies have also suggested that soy meal may have a positive effect on bone health, due to its high calcium content.

Defatted Soy Meal is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin K.

Pumpkin Seeds vs Defatted Soy Meal 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 defatted soy meal.

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

Pumpkin SeedsDefatted Soy Meal
Energy559 kcal337 kcal
Carbs10.7 g35.9 g
Sugar1.4 g6.2 g
Fiber6 g5.4 g
Protein30.2 g49.2 g
Fat49 g2.39 g
Saturated Fat8.66 g0.268 g

Pumpkin Seeds vs Defatted Soy Meal Calories

Comparing defatted soy meal vs pumpkin seeds for weight loss, defatted soy meal is slightly lower in calories, with 337 calories per 100 grams, compared to 559 calories per 100 grams of pumpkin seeds.

However, both pumpkin seeds and defatted soy meal 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 Defatted Soy Meal Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including pumpkin seeds and defatted soy meal, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Defatted Soy Meal offers around 39% more protein than pumpkin seeds.

Defatted Soy Meal has 49.2 grams of protein per 100 grams, while pumpkin seeds has 30.2 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Pumpkin Seeds vs Defatted Soy Meal 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 defatted soy meal.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 70% higher in defatted soy meal than in pumpkin seeds. It have 35.9 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 defatted soy meal, 76% precisely.

One handful of pumpkin seeds (28 grams) contains 0.4 grams of sugar, while the same amount of defatted soy meal contains 1.7 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in pumpkin seeds and defatted soy meal.

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

With 1.7 grams of fiber per portion, pumpkin seeds is a better source of fiber than defatted soy meal which pumpkin seeds offers 1.5 grams per portion.

Pumpkin Seeds vs Defatted Soy Meal Fats

Fats in pumpkin seeds and defatted soy meal are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in pumpkin seeds and defatted soy meal:

  • Pumpkin Seeds: 49 grams per 100 grams
  • Defatted Soy Meal: 2.4 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, defatted soy meal is 97% lower in saturated fats.

Defatted Soy Meal and pumpkin seeds contain 0.3 grams and 8.7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Pumpkin Seeds vs Defatted Soy Meal Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of pumpkin seeds and defatted soy meal.

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, defatted soy meal has a higher amount of vitamin C, vitamin B3 (Niacin), and vitamin E.

Pumpkin Seeds and defatted soy meal contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins pumpkin seeds and defatted soy meal contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Pumpkin SeedsDefatted Soy Meal
Vitamin A16 IU40 IU
Vitamin C1.9 mg0
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.273 mg0.691 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.153 mg0.251 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)4.99 mg2.59 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.75 mg1.98 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.143 mg0.569 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)58 µg303 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E2.18 mg0.01 mg
Vitamin K7.3 µg29.3 µg

Pumpkin Seeds vs Defatted Soy Meal 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 defatted soy meal comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Pumpkin Seeds is a better source of calcium, copper, iron, and potassium than defatted soy meal.

On the other hand, defatted soy meal is a higher amount of magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, and zinc.

Pumpkin Seeds and defatted soy meal contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how pumpkin seeds and defatted soy meal compare when it comes to mineral content.

Pumpkin SeedsDefatted Soy Meal
Calcium46 mg244 mg
Copper1.34 mg2 mg
Fluoride00
Iron8.82 mg13.7 mg
Magnesium592 mg306 mg
Manganese4.54 mg3.8 mg
Phosphorus1230 mg701 mg
Potassium809 mg2490 mg
Selenium9.4 µg3.3 µg
Sodium7 mg3 mg
Zinc7.81 mg5.06 mg

The Final Word

Pumpkin Seeds and defatted soy meal are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both pumpkin seeds and defatted soy meal 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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