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Vital wheat gluten vs Full-Fat Soy Flour: How To Choose?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour, foods from the grains and legumes food groups. Read on to learn more about the vital wheat gluten vs full-fat soy flour comparison.
Esther Bumpus, Health Writer

Written by Esther Bumpus, Health Writer. Updated on February 5, 2023.

Although vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour belong to different food groups, while vital wheat gluten belong is a grain, and full-fat soy flour 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 vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour, 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 vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour compare specifically.

Vital wheat gluten

Vital wheat gluten, also known as wheat gluten (Triticum aestivum), is a plant-based protein derived from wheat.

It is a rich source of micro and micronutrients, including essential amino acids, vitamins such as B-vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium.

Consuming vital wheat gluten has been linked to a variety of health benefits, including improved digestion, weight management, and muscle development. It is also a good source of protein for vegetarians and vegans. It can also be used as a meat substitute.

It is also beneficial for gluten sensitivity as it is gluten-free. Still, it is derived from wheat and contains gluten, so people with celiac disease should avoid it.

Vital wheat gluten is not an excellent source of any particular vitamin.

Full-Fat Soy Flour

Full-fat soy flour is a type of flour made from ground, dehulled soybeans.

It is high in protein and fiber and is a good source of several important nutrients, including potassium, iron, and B vitamins.

Full-fat soy flour has a nutty, slightly sweet flavor and can be used in a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes, including breads, cookies, and other baked goods.

It can also be used as a protein supplement in smoothies and other plant-based drinks.

In addition to being a nutritious food, full-fat soy flour has been shown to have a number of potential health benefits.

It is a good source of antioxidants, and has been linked to lower levels of cholesterol and improved blood sugar control.

Full-Fat Soy Flour is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), Vitamin B9 (Folate), and Vitamin K.

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin E and some Vitamin A.

Vital wheat gluten vs Full-Fat Soy Flour Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing vital wheat gluten vs full-fat soy flour.

This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.

Vital wheat glutenFull-Fat Soy Flour
Energy370 kcal434 kcal
Carbs13.8 g31.9 g
Sugar0 g7.5 g
Fiber0.6 g9.6 g
Protein75.2 g37.8 g
Fat1.85 g20.6 g
Saturated Fat0.272 g2.99 g

Vital wheat gluten vs Full-Fat Soy Flour 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 vital wheat gluten vs full-fat soy flour for weight loss, vital wheat gluten is slightly lower in calories, with 370 calories per 100 grams, compared to 434 calories per 100 grams of full-fat soy flour.

However, both vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.

Vital wheat gluten vs Full-Fat Soy Flour Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Vital wheat gluten offers around 50% more protein than full-fat soy flour.

Vital wheat gluten has 75.2 grams of protein per 100 grams, while full-fat soy flour has 37.8 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Vital wheat gluten vs Full-Fat Soy Flour 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 vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 57% higher in full-fat soy flour than in vital wheat gluten. It have 31.9 grams per 100 grams, compared to 13.8 grams in vital wheat gluten.

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There’s less sugar in vital wheat gluten than in full-fat soy flour, 100% precisely.

One handful of vital wheat gluten (28 grams) contains 0 grams of sugar, while the same amount of full-fat soy flour contains 2.1 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour.

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

With 2.7 grams of fiber per portion, full-fat soy flour is a better source of fiber than vital wheat gluten which offers 0.2 grams per portion.

Vital wheat gluten vs Full-Fat Soy Flour Fats

Like most other grains and legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour are low in fat.

Fats in vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour:

  • Vital wheat gluten: 1.9 grams per 100 grams
  • Full-Fat Soy Flour: 20.6 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, vital wheat gluten is 90% lower in saturated fats.

Vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour contain 0.3 grams and 3 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Vital wheat gluten vs Full-Fat Soy Flour Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour.

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

Vital wheat gluten 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.

Vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Vital wheat glutenFull-Fat Soy Flour
Vitamin A0120 IU
Vitamin C00
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)00.581 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)01.16 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)04.32 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)01.59 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)00.461 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)0345 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E01.95 mg
Vitamin K070 µg

Vital wheat gluten vs Full-Fat Soy Flour 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 vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Vital wheat gluten is a better source of calcium, copper, fluoride, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc than full-fat soy flour.

On the other hand, full-fat soy flour is a higher amount of selenium, and sodium.

Check out the table below to learn how vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour compare when it comes to mineral content.

Vital wheat glutenFull-Fat Soy Flour
Calcium142 mg206 mg
Copper0.182 mg2.92 mg
Fluoride02.2 µg
Iron5.2 mg6.37 mg
Magnesium25 mg429 mg
Manganese02.28 mg
Phosphorus260 mg494 mg
Potassium100 mg2520 mg
Selenium39.7 µg7.5 µg
Sodium29 mg13 mg
Zinc0.85 mg3.92 mg

The Final Word

Vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both vital wheat gluten and full-fat soy flour 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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