Sesame Seeds vs Miso: How Do They Compare?
Although sesame 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 sesame 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 sesame 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 sesame seeds and miso compare specifically.
Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum) are the seeds of the sesame plant, which is native to tropical regions of Africa and is now grown in many parts of the world.
These seeds have a slightly nutty and slightly sweet flavor, and are often used in a variety of dishes, including breads, pastries, and savory dishes.
Sesame 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 sesame seeds into your diet.
They can be eaten raw or roasted, and are often used as a topping for salads and other dishes.
Sesame seeds are widely available and can be found at most grocery stores.
If you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious seed to add to your diet, consider giving sesame seeds a try.
They are flavorful, versatile, and have a variety of health benefits.
Sesame Seeds is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).
It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).
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).
Sesame 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 sesame seeds vs miso.
This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of sesame seeds and miso and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.
Sesame Seeds | Miso | |
---|---|---|
Energy | 573 kcal | 198 kcal |
Carbs | 23.45 g | 25.4 g |
Sugar | 0.3 g | 6.2 g |
Fiber | 11.8 g | 5.4 g |
Protein | 17.73 g | 12.8 g |
Fat | 49.67 g | 6.01 g |
Saturated Fat | 6.957 g | 1.02 g |
Sesame Seeds vs Miso Calories
Comparing miso vs sesame seeds for weight loss, miso is slightly lower in calories, with 198 calories per 100 grams, compared to 573 calories per 100 grams of sesame seeds.
However, both sesame 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.
Sesame Seeds vs Miso Protein
Legumes and most legume products, including sesame seeds and miso, are important sources of plant-based protein.
Sesame Seeds offers around 28% more protein than miso.
Sesame Seeds has 17.7 grams of protein per 100 grams, while miso has 12.8 grams of protein per 100 grams.
Sesame 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 sesame seeds and miso.
The total amount of carbohydrates is around 7% higher in miso than in sesame seeds. It have 25.4 grams per 100 grams, compared to 23.5 grams in sesame seeds.
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There’s less sugar in sesame seeds than in miso, 94% precisely.
One handful of sesame seeds (28 grams) contains 0.1 grams of sugar, while the same amount of miso contains 1.7 grams.
Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in sesame seeds and miso.
Dietary fiber keeps the digestive system healthy and helps with weight management by promoting a sense of fullness.
With 3.3 grams of fiber per portion, sesame seeds is a better source of fiber than miso which sesame seeds offers 1.5 grams per portion.
Sesame Seeds vs Miso Fats
Fats in sesame seeds and miso are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.
Total fat in sesame seeds and miso:
- Sesame Seeds: 49.7 grams per 100 grams
- Miso: 6 per 100 grams
Speaking of saturated fats, miso is 86% lower in saturated fats.
Miso and sesame seeds contain 1 grams and 7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.
Sesame Seeds vs Miso Vitamins Content
This section will discuss the vitamin content of sesame seeds and miso.
Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning we need only a small amount. However, they are very important for many processes in our bodies.
Sesame Seeds has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), and vitamin K.
However, miso has a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin E.
Sesame Seeds and miso contain the same amount of vitamin C, and vitamin D.
The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins sesame seeds and miso contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.
Sesame Seeds | Miso | |
---|---|---|
Vitamin A | 9 IU | 87 IU |
Vitamin C | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin D | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.791 mg | 0.098 mg |
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.247 mg | 0.233 mg |
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 4.515 mg | 0.906 mg |
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.05 mg | 0.337 mg |
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) | 0.79 mg | 0.199 mg |
Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 97 µg | 19 µg |
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | 0 | 0.08 µg |
Vitamin E | 0.25 mg | 0.01 mg |
Vitamin K | 0 | 29.3 µg |
Sesame 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 sesame seeds and miso comparison focuses on their mineral content.
Sesame Seeds is a better source of sodium than miso.
On the other hand, miso is a higher amount of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and zinc.
Sesame Seeds and miso contain the same amount of fluoride.
Check out the table below to learn how sesame seeds and miso compare when it comes to mineral content.
Sesame Seeds | Miso | |
---|---|---|
Calcium | 975 mg | 57 mg |
Copper | 4.082 mg | 0.42 mg |
Fluoride | 0 | 0 |
Iron | 14.55 mg | 2.49 mg |
Magnesium | 351 mg | 48 mg |
Manganese | 2.46 mg | 0.859 mg |
Phosphorus | 629 mg | 159 mg |
Potassium | 468 mg | 210 mg |
Selenium | 34.4 µg | 7 µg |
Sodium | 11 mg | 3730 mg |
Zinc | 7.75 mg | 2.56 mg |
The Final Word
Sesame Seeds and miso are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.
Both sesame 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.
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.
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Listing of vitamins, Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/listing_of_vitamins/
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Nutrient Recommendations: Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI), Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academies of Sciences Engineering, and Medicine
https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/nutrientrecommendations.aspx
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Protein And Amino Acid Requirements In Human Nutrition, WHO
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