• Home
  • Guides
  • Safflower Seeds vs Miso: What’s The Difference?

Safflower Seeds vs Miso: What’s The Difference?

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

Written by Catherine Toledo, Journalist. Updated on March 14, 2023.

Although safflower seeds and miso 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 safflower seeds belong to the nuts and seeds group, miso belong to legumes food group.

That’s why we decided to create an in-depth article that compares safflower seeds and miso, 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 safflower seeds and miso compare specifically.

Safflower Seeds

Safflower seeds (Carthamus tinctorius) are the seeds of the safflower plant, which is native to the Mediterranean region.

These seeds have a slightly nutty and slightly earthy flavor, and are often used in a variety of dishes, including breads, cereals, and granolas.

Safflower 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 safflower seeds into your diet.

They can be eaten raw or roasted, and are often used as a topping for salads and other dishes.

Safflower seeds are also available in a variety of forms, including whole, chopped, and ground into flour.

Safflower 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 safflower seeds a try.

They are flavorful, versatile, and have a variety of health benefits.

Safflower Seeds is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B3 (Niacin).

Miso

Miso (fermented soybean paste) is a traditional Japanese condiment made by fermenting soybeans with salt and a type of fungus called koji.

It is a thick, paste-like substance that adds flavor to various dishes, such as soups, sauces, and marinades.

Miso is an important part of Japanese cuisine and has been used for centuries to preserve and enhance food flavor.

One of the main health benefits of miso is its high protein content. Miso is made from soybeans, a good source of plant-based protein, making it a popular choice for vegetarians and vegans.

Miso also contains many nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. The fermentation process used to make miso also helps to increase the bioavailability of these nutrients, making them easier for the body to absorb.

In terms of health benefits, miso has been shown to have many positive effects on the body.

It is a good source of probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that help balance the gut microbiome.

Miso may also help to reduce the risk of certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, due to its high content of antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.

Miso is not an excellent source of any particular vitamin.

However, it also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin K and some Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

Safflower Seeds vs Miso Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing safflower seeds vs miso.

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

Safflower SeedsMiso
Energy517 kcal198 kcal
Carbs34.3 g25.4 g
Sugar6.2 g
Fiber5.4 g
Protein16.2 g12.8 g
Fat38.4 g6.01 g
Saturated Fat3.68 g1.02 g

Safflower Seeds vs Miso Calories

Comparing miso vs safflower seeds for weight loss, miso is slightly lower in calories, with 198 calories per 100 grams, compared to 517 calories per 100 grams of safflower seeds.

However, both safflower seeds and miso can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.

Safflower Seeds vs Miso Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including safflower seeds and miso, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Safflower Seeds offers around 21% more protein than miso.

Safflower Seeds has 16.2 grams of protein per 100 grams, while miso has 12.8 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Safflower Seeds vs Miso 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 safflower seeds and miso.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 26% higher in safflower seeds than in miso. It have 34.3 grams per 100 grams, compared to 25.4 grams in miso.

There’s less sugar in safflower seeds than in miso, 100% precisely.

One handful of safflower seeds (28 grams) contains 0 grams of sugar, while the same amount of miso contains 1.7 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in safflower seeds and miso.

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

With 1.5 grams of fiber per portion, miso is a better source of fiber than safflower seeds which offers 0 grams per portion.

Safflower Seeds vs Miso Fats

Fats in safflower seeds and miso are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in safflower seeds and miso:

  • Safflower Seeds: 38.4 grams per 100 grams
  • Miso: 6 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, miso is 73% lower in saturated fats.

Miso and safflower seeds contain 1 grams and 3.7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Safflower Seeds vs Miso Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of safflower seeds and miso.

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

Safflower Seeds has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

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

Safflower Seeds and miso contain the same amount of vitamin C, and vitamin D.

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins safflower seeds and miso contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Safflower SeedsMiso
Vitamin A50 IU87 IU
Vitamin C00
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)1.16 mg0.098 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.415 mg0.233 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)2.28 mg0.906 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)4.03 mg0.337 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)1.17 mg0.199 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)160 µg19 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00.08 µg
Vitamin E00.01 mg
Vitamin K029.3 µg

Safflower Seeds vs Miso 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 safflower seeds and miso comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Safflower Seeds is a better source of selenium, and sodium than miso.

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

Safflower Seeds and miso contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how safflower seeds and miso compare when it comes to mineral content.

Safflower SeedsMiso
Calcium78 mg57 mg
Copper1.75 mg0.42 mg
Fluoride00
Iron4.9 mg2.49 mg
Magnesium353 mg48 mg
Manganese2.01 mg0.859 mg
Phosphorus644 mg159 mg
Potassium687 mg210 mg
Selenium07 µg
Sodium3 mg3730 mg
Zinc5.05 mg2.56 mg

The Final Word

Safflower Seeds and miso are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both safflower seeds and miso 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

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.

How we ensure this article is accurate?
  1. It's written and or reviewed by an expert.
  2. We cite relevant studies and trusted sources.
  3. It's regularly updated.

Read more about our process and team.