Soft Tofu vs Vigna Mungo Beans: How Are They Different?
Soft Tofu and vigna mungo beans belong to the legumes and legume products food group, one of the staple food groups for people on a plant-based diet.
Legumes and most legume products are an affordable source of plant protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins, and minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, and zinc, minerals that are usually harder to get on a plant-based diet.
This article will thoroughly compare soft tofu and vigna mungo beans and help you learn more about their similarities and differences.
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 contains a good amount of Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin B1 (Thiamine).
Vigna Mungo Beans
Vigna mungo, also known as black gram or urad bean, is a type of legume native to India.
It is a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to its high protein and fiber content, as well as its rich, nutty flavor.
Vigna mungo is also a good source of several important nutrients, including potassium, iron, and B vitamins.
It can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, such as black gram dal, curry, and sprouts.
In addition to being a nutritious food, Vigna mungo has been shown to have a number of potential health benefits.
It has been linked to lower cholesterol levels and improved blood sugar control, and it may also help to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.
Vigna Mungo Beans are an excellent source of Vitamin B9 (Folate).
They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) and some Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin K.
Soft Tofu vs Vigna Mungo Beans Nutrition
Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing soft tofu vs vigna mungo beans.
This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of soft tofu and vigna mungo beans and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.
Soft Tofu | Vigna Mungo Beans | |
---|---|---|
Energy | 61 kcal | 341 kcal |
Carbs | 1.18 g | 59 g |
Sugar | 0.7 g | 6.6 g |
Fiber | 0.2 g | 18.3 g |
Protein | 7.17 g | 25.2 g |
Fat | 3.69 g | 1.64 g |
Saturated Fat | 0.533 g | 0.114 g |
Soft Tofu vs Vigna Mungo Beans Calories
Most calories in raw 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 vigna mungo beans for weight loss, soft tofu is slightly lower in calories, with 61 calories per 100 grams, compared to 341 calories per 100 grams of vigna mungo beans.
However, both soft tofu and vigna mungo 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.
Soft Tofu vs Vigna Mungo Beans Protein
Legumes and most legume products, including soft tofu and vigna mungo beans, are important sources of plant-based protein.
Vigna Mungo Beans offer around 72% more protein than soft tofu.
Vigna Mungo Beans have 25.2 grams of protein per 100 grams, while soft tofu has 7.2 grams of protein per 100 grams.
Soft Tofu vs Vigna Mungo 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 soft tofu and vigna mungo beans.
The total amount of carbohydrates is around 98% higher in vigna mungo beans than in soft tofu. They have 59 grams per 100 grams, compared to 1.2 grams in soft tofu.
?>
There’s less sugar in soft tofu than in vigna mungo beans, 89% precisely.
One handful of soft tofu (28 grams) contains 0.2 grams of sugar, while the same amount of vigna mungo beans contains 1.8 grams.
Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in soft tofu and vigna mungo beans.
Dietary fiber keeps the digestive system healthy and helps with weight management by promoting a sense of fullness.
With 5.1 grams of fiber per portion, vigna mungo beans are a better source of fiber than soft tofu which offer 0.1 grams per portion.
Soft Tofu vs Vigna Mungo Beans Fats
Like most other legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, soft tofu and vigna mungo beans are low in fat.
Fats in soft tofu and vigna mungo beans are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.
Total fat in soft tofu and vigna mungo beans:
- Soft Tofu: 3.7 grams per 100 grams
- Vigna Mungo Beans: 1.6 per 100 grams
Speaking of saturated fats, vigna mungo beans are 80% lower in saturated fats.
Vigna Mungo Beans and soft tofu contain 0.1 grams and 0.5 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.
Soft Tofu vs Vigna Mungo Beans Vitamins Content
This section will discuss the vitamin content of soft tofu and vigna mungo beans.
Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning we need only a small amount. However, they are very important for many processes in our bodies.
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), vitamin E, and vitamin K.
However, vigna mungo beans have a higher amount of vitamin C.
Soft Tofu and vigna mungo beans contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).
The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins soft tofu and vigna mungo beans contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.
Soft Tofu | Vigna Mungo Beans | |
---|---|---|
Vitamin A | 7 IU | 23 IU |
Vitamin C | 0.2 mg | 0 |
Vitamin D | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.047 mg | 0.273 mg |
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.037 mg | 0.254 mg |
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 0.535 mg | 1.45 mg |
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.051 mg | 0.906 mg |
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) | 0.052 mg | 0.281 mg |
Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 44 µg | 216 µg |
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin E | 0.01 mg | 0.51 mg |
Vitamin K | 2 µg | 9 µg |
Soft Tofu vs Vigna Mungo 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 soft tofu and vigna mungo beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.
Soft Tofu is a better source of calcium, copper, fluoride, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc than vigna mungo beans.
On the other hand, vigna mungo beans are a higher amount of selenium.
Check out the table below to learn how soft tofu and vigna mungo beans compare when it comes to mineral content.
Soft Tofu | Vigna Mungo Beans | |
---|---|---|
Calcium | 111 mg | 138 mg |
Copper | 0.157 mg | 0.981 mg |
Fluoride | 0 | 2.2 µg |
Iron | 1.11 mg | 7.57 mg |
Magnesium | 27 mg | 267 mg |
Manganese | 0.389 mg | 1.53 mg |
Phosphorus | 92 mg | 379 mg |
Potassium | 120 mg | 983 mg |
Selenium | 8.9 µg | 8.2 µg |
Sodium | 8 mg | 38 mg |
Zinc | 0.64 mg | 3.35 mg |
The Final Word
Soft Tofu and vigna mungo beans are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.
Both soft tofu and vigna mungo 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 beans 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 are 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.
- Soft Tofu Nutrients, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/167746/nutrients
-
Vigna Mungo Beans Nutrients, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/167746/nutrients
-
Listing of vitamins, Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/listing_of_vitamins/
-
Appendix 7. Nutritional goals for age-sex groups based on dietary reference intakes and Dietary Guidelines recommendations. (n.d.).
https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/appendix-7/
-
International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values 2021: a systematic review
https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/114/5/1625/6320814?login=false
-
Health Claim Notification for Saturated Fat, Cholesterol, and Trans Fat, and Reduced Risk of Heart Disease
https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/health-claim-notification-saturated-fat-cholesterol-and-trans-fat-and-reduced-risk-heart-disease
-
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
-
Protein And Amino Acid Requirements In Human Nutrition, WHO
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43411/WHO_TRS_935_eng.pdf
-
Nutrition Facts Labeling RDIs Nutrients, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
https://www.fda.gov/media/99069/download
-
Nutrition Facts Labeling DRVs Food Components, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
https://www.fda.gov/media/99059/download
- It's written and or reviewed by an expert.
- We cite relevant studies and trusted sources.
- It's regularly updated.
Read more about our process and team.