Quinoa vs Chickpea Flour: Difference & Similarities

Although quinoa and chickpea flour belong to different food groups, while quinoa belong is a grain, and chickpea flour belong to legumes food group, and it’s not that common to compare foods from different groups, people are often interested in these comparisons as well.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares quinoa and chickpea flour, their nutritional values, similarities, differences, macronutrients, and micronutrients – vitamins and minerals.

Generally speaking, foods from grains and legume food groups are both high in carbs and protein and valuable addition to a plant-based diet.

Now, let’s see how quinoa and chickpea flour compare specifically.

Quinoa

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is a grain-like crop grown for its edible seeds.

It is a good source of complete protein, providing all essential amino acids, and also rich in dietary fibers, vitamins, and minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, and zinc.

Quinoa also contains antioxidants, flavonoids, and anti-inflammatory compounds, which have been linked to various health benefits, including improved blood sugar control, cardiovascular health, and weight management.

It is a versatile ingredient that can be cooked and eaten as a side dish, added to soups and stews, or ground into flour to make breads, pancakes, and other baked goods.

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

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

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.

Quinoa 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 quinoa vs chickpea flour.

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

Quinoa vs Chickpea Flour Calories

Most calories in raw grains and legumes come from carbs. Peanuts are an exception here, but they are often considered a nut instead of a legume because of their nutritional profile.

Comparing quinoa vs chickpea flour for weight loss, quinoa is slightly lower in calories, with 368 calories per 100 grams, compared to 387 calories per 100 grams of chickpea flour.

However, both quinoa 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.

Quinoa vs Chickpea Flour Protein

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

Chickpea Flour offers around 37% more protein than quinoa.

Chickpea Flour has 22.4 grams of protein per 100 grams, while quinoa has 14.1 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Quinoa 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 quinoa and chickpea flour.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 10% higher in quinoa than in chickpea flour. It have 64.2 grams per 100 grams, compared to 57.8 grams in chickpea flour.

There’s less sugar in quinoa than in chickpea flour, 87% precisely.

One handful of quinoa (28 grams) contains 0.4 grams of sugar, while the same amount of chickpea flour contains 3 grams.

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

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

With 3 grams of fiber per portion, chickpea flour is a better source of fiber than quinoa which offers 2 grams per portion.

Quinoa vs Chickpea Flour Fats

Like most other grains and legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, quinoa and chickpea flour are low in fat.

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

Total fat in quinoa and chickpea flour:

• Quinoa: 6.1 grams per 100 grams
• Chickpea Flour: 6.7 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, quinoa and chickpea flour contain the same amount of saturated fats, 0.7 grams per 100 grams.

Quinoa vs Chickpea Flour Vitamins Content

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

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

Quinoa has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin K.

However, chickpea flour has a higher amount of vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and vitamin E.

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

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

Quinoa 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 quinoa and chickpea flour comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Quinoa is a better source of copper, fluoride, iron, potassium, and sodium than chickpea flour.

On the other hand, chickpea flour is a higher amount of calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc.

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

The Final Word

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

Both quinoa 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 grains 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 and grains 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.