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Rye grain vs White Beans: How Do They Compare?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between rye grain and white beans, foods from the grains and legumes food groups. Read on to learn more about the rye grain vs white beans comparison.
Catherine Toledo, Journalist

Written by Catherine Toledo, Journalist. Updated on February 8, 2023.

Although rye grain and white beans belong to different food groups, while rye grain belong is a grain, and white beans 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 rye grain and white beans, 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 rye grain and white beans compare specifically.

Rye grain

Rye grain (Secale cereale) is a cereal grain that is closely related to wheat and barley.

It is a good source of dietary fibers, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including B vitamins like niacin and folate, as well as minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium.

The high fiber content of rye grain has been linked to improved digestion, weight management, and lower cholesterol levels. It also contains a unique type of dietary fiber called arabinoxylan, which has been shown to have a prebiotic effect on gut health.

Rye grain is commonly used in bread making and traditional dishes such as rye porridge and crisp bread. It can also be milled into flour and used in baking or cooked and eaten as a side dish.

Rye grain is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin E, and Vitamin K.

White Beans

White beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), also known as navy beans or haricot beans, are a type of legume native to South America.

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 nutty flavor.

White 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 white bean soup, salad, and dips.

In addition to being a nutritious food, white 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.

White Beans are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) and some Vitamin K.

Rye grain vs White Beans Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing rye grain vs white beans.

This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of rye grain and white beans and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.

Rye grainWhite Beans
Energy338 kcal333 kcal
Carbs75.9 g60.3 g
Sugar0.98 g2.11 g
Fiber15.1 g15.2 g
Protein10.3 g23.4 g
Fat1.63 g0.85 g
Saturated Fat0.197 g0.219 g

Rye grain vs White Beans 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 white beans vs rye grain for weight loss, white beans are slightly lower in calories, with 333 calories per 100 grams, compared to 338 calories per 100 grams of rye grain.

However, both rye grain and white 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.

Rye grain vs White Beans Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including rye grain and white beans, are important sources of plant-based protein.

White Beans offer around 56% more protein than rye grain.

White Beans have 23.4 grams of protein per 100 grams, while rye grain has 10.3 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Rye grain vs White 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 rye grain and white beans.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 21% higher in rye grain than in white beans. It have 75.9 grams per 100 grams, compared to 60.3 grams in white beans.

There’s less sugar in rye grain than in white beans, 50% precisely.

One handful of rye grain (28 grams) contains 0.3 grams of sugar, while the same amount of white beans contains 0.6 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in rye grain and white beans.

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

With 4.3 grams of fiber per portion, white beans are a better source of fiber than rye grain which offer 4.2 grams per portion.

Rye grain vs White Beans Fats

Like most other grains and legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, rye grain and white beans are low in fat.

Fats in rye grain and white beans are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in rye grain and white beans:

  • Rye grain: 1.6 grams per 100 grams
  • White Beans: 0.9 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, rye grain and white beans contain the same amount of saturated fats, 0.2 grams per 100 grams.

Rye grain vs White Beans Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of rye grain and white beans.

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

Rye grain has a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and vitamin B9 (Folate).

However, white beans have a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

Rye grain and white beans contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins rye grain and white beans contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Rye grainWhite Beans
Vitamin A11 IU0
Vitamin C00
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.316 mg0.437 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.251 mg0.146 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)4.27 mg0.479 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)1.46 mg0.732 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.294 mg0.318 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)38 µg388 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E0.85 mg0.21 mg
Vitamin K5.9 µg5.6 µg

Rye grain vs White 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 rye grain and white beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Rye grain is a better source of calcium, copper, fluoride, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and zinc than white beans.

On the other hand, white beans are a higher amount of manganese, phosphorus, and selenium.

Check out the table below to learn how rye grain and white beans compare when it comes to mineral content.

Rye grainWhite Beans
Calcium24 mg240 mg
Copper0.367 mg0.984 mg
Fluoride02.2 µg
Iron2.63 mg10.4 mg
Magnesium110 mg190 mg
Manganese2.58 mg1.8 mg
Phosphorus332 mg301 mg
Potassium510 mg1800 mg
Selenium13.9 µg12.8 µg
Sodium2 mg16 mg
Zinc2.65 mg3.67 mg

The Final Word

Rye grain and white beans are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both rye grain and white 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 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.

Sources

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