Quinoa vs Soft Tofu: How To Choose?

Although quinoa and soft tofu belong to different food groups, while quinoa belong is a grain, and soft tofu 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 soft tofu, 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 soft tofu 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.

Soft Tofu

Soft tofu, also known as silken tofu or Japanese-style tofu, is a type of tofu with a softer, more delicate texture than regular tofu.

In comparison to regular tofu, which has a firmer, more dense texture and a pale, beige color, soft tofu has a high moisture content and a creamy, smooth texture, and a pale white or yellow color.

It also has a milder, slightly sweeter taste than regular tofu.

Soft tofu is often used as a substitute for dairy products in recipes such as smoothies, dips, and sauces, and can also be used in soups and stir-fries.

In terms of nutritional value, both soft and regular tofu are good sources of protein, fiber, and several important nutrients, including iron, potassium, and B vitamins.

It has been shown to have a number of potential health benefits, including lower cholesterol levels and improved blood sugar control.

Soft Tofu is not an excellent source of any particular vitamin.

However, it also contains a good amount of Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin B1 (Thiamine).

Quinoa vs Soft Tofu 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 soft tofu.

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

Quinoa vs Soft Tofu 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 soft tofu vs quinoa for weight loss, soft tofu is slightly lower in calories, with 61 calories per 100 grams, compared to 368 calories per 100 grams of quinoa.

However, both quinoa and soft 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.

Quinoa vs Soft Tofu Protein

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

Quinoa offers around 49% more protein than soft tofu.

Quinoa has 14.1 grams of protein per 100 grams, while soft tofu has 7.2 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Quinoa vs Soft 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 quinoa and soft tofu.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 98% higher in quinoa than in soft tofu. It have 64.2 grams per 100 grams, compared to 1.2 grams in soft tofu.

There’s less sugar in soft tofu than in quinoa, 50% precisely.

One handful of soft tofu (28 grams) contains 0.2 grams of sugar, while the same amount of quinoa contains 0.4 grams.

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

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

With 2 grams of fiber per portion, quinoa is a better source of fiber than soft tofu which quinoa offers 0.1 grams per portion.

Quinoa vs Soft Tofu Fats

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

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

Total fat in quinoa and soft tofu:

• Quinoa: 6.1 grams per 100 grams
• Soft Tofu: 3.7 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, soft tofu is 29% lower in saturated fats.

Soft Tofu and quinoa contain 0.5 grams and 0.7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Quinoa vs Soft Tofu Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of quinoa and soft tofu.

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 C, and vitamin K.

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

Quinoa and soft tofu contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

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

Quinoa vs Soft 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 quinoa and soft tofu comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Quinoa is a better source of calcium, selenium, and sodium than soft tofu.

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

Quinoa and soft tofu contain the same amount of fluoride.

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

The Final Word

Quinoa and soft tofu are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both quinoa and soft 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 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.