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Spelt vs Vigna Mungo Beans: How Do They Compare?

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

Written by Catherine Toledo, Journalist. Updated on February 21, 2023.

Although spelt and vigna mungo beans belong to different food groups, while spelt belong is a grain, and vigna mungo 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 spelt and vigna mungo 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 spelt and vigna mungo beans compare specifically.

Spelt

Spelt (Triticum spelta) is an ancient type of wheat that is believed to have originated in the Near East.

It is a good source of carbohydrates, dietary fibers, and small amounts of vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, and B-vitamins. It is also rich in antioxidants and protein, making it a valuable food for vegetarians and vegans.

Spelt is commonly used in baking, particularly in traditional dishes such as bread and pasta. It has a nutty and slightly sweet flavor and can be used as a substitute for wheat flour in most recipes. It is also gluten-free and easy to digest, making it a great option for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Spelt is considered a functional food, as it has been shown to have a positive impact on health when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet. It is also a sustainable crop, as it can be grown in poor soil conditions and is resistant to pests and diseases.

Spelt is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B3 (Niacin).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin E.

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.

Spelt 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 spelt vs vigna mungo beans.

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

SpeltVigna Mungo Beans
Energy338 kcal341 kcal
Carbs70.2 g59 g
Sugar6.82 g6.6 g
Fiber10.7 g18.3 g
Protein14.6 g25.2 g
Fat2.43 g1.64 g
Saturated Fat0.406 g0.114 g

Spelt vs Vigna Mungo 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 spelt vs vigna mungo beans for weight loss, spelt is slightly lower in calories, with 338 calories per 100 grams, compared to 341 calories per 100 grams of vigna mungo beans.

However, both spelt 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.

Spelt vs Vigna Mungo Beans Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including spelt and vigna mungo beans, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Vigna Mungo Beans offer around 42% more protein than spelt.

Vigna Mungo Beans have 25.2 grams of protein per 100 grams, while spelt has 14.6 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Spelt 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 spelt and vigna mungo beans.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 16% higher in spelt than in vigna mungo beans. It have 70.2 grams per 100 grams, compared to 59 grams in vigna mungo beans.

There’s less sugar in vigna mungo beans than in spelt, 5% precisely.

One handful of vigna mungo beans (28 grams) contains 1.8 grams of sugar, while the same amount of spelt contains 1.9 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in spelt 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 spelt which offer 3 grams per portion.

Spelt vs Vigna Mungo Beans Fats

Like most other grains and legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, spelt and vigna mungo beans are low in fat.

Fats in spelt and vigna mungo beans are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in spelt and vigna mungo beans:

  • Spelt: 2.4 grams per 100 grams
  • Vigna Mungo Beans: 1.6 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, vigna mungo beans are 75% lower in saturated fats.

Vigna Mungo Beans and spelt contain 0.1 grams and 0.4 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Spelt vs Vigna Mungo Beans Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of spelt 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.

Spelt has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin K.

However, vigna mungo beans have a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and vitamin E.

Spelt and vigna mungo beans contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins spelt and vigna mungo beans contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

SpeltVigna Mungo Beans
Vitamin A10 IU23 IU
Vitamin C00
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.364 mg0.273 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.113 mg0.254 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)6.84 mg1.45 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)1.07 mg0.906 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.23 mg0.281 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)45 µg216 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E0.79 mg0.51 mg
Vitamin K3.6 µg9 µg

Spelt 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 spelt and vigna mungo beans comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Spelt is a better source of calcium, copper, fluoride, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and zinc than vigna mungo beans.

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

Check out the table below to learn how spelt and vigna mungo beans compare when it comes to mineral content.

SpeltVigna Mungo Beans
Calcium27 mg138 mg
Copper0.511 mg0.981 mg
Fluoride02.2 µg
Iron4.44 mg7.57 mg
Magnesium136 mg267 mg
Manganese2.98 mg1.53 mg
Phosphorus401 mg379 mg
Potassium388 mg983 mg
Selenium11.7 µg8.2 µg
Sodium8 mg38 mg
Zinc3.28 mg3.35 mg

The Final Word

Spelt and vigna mungo beans are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both spelt 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 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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