Whole-grain cornmeal vs Defatted Soy Meal: Which Is Better?

Although whole-grain cornmeal and defatted soy meal belong to different food groups, while whole-grain cornmeal belong is a grain, and defatted soy meal 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 whole-grain cornmeal and defatted soy meal, 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 whole-grain cornmeal and defatted soy meal compare specifically.

Whole-grain cornmeal

Whole-grain cornmeal (Zea mays) is made by grinding whole corn kernels into a fine or coarse powder. It is considered a whole grain because it contains all three parts of the corn kernel: the germ, bran, and endosperm.

It is a good source of carbohydrates, dietary fibers, and small amounts of vitamins and minerals like vitamin B3, iron and zinc. It also contains antioxidants, such as carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, that have been linked to various health benefits, including improved heart health and blood sugar control.

Whole-grain cornmeal is commonly used in traditional American cuisine, such as cornbread, polenta, and grits. It can also be used as a coating for fish and meats, as an ingredient in baking, and as a thickener in soups and sauces. It is a healthier option than refined cornmeal as it retains all the nutrients from the corn kernel and provides more fiber.

Whole-grain cornmeal is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) and some Vitamin A, Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

Defatted Soy Meal

Soy meal, also known as defatted soy flour, is a byproduct of the production of soy oil.

It is made by grinding the remaining solids (after the oil has been extracted) into a fine powder.

Soy meal is a good source of plant-based protein and is commonly used as a protein supplement in animal feed and as an ingredient in a variety of food products.

One of the main health benefits of soy meal is its high protein content. Soybeans, from which soy meal is made, are a good source of plant-based protein, making soy meal a popular choice for vegetarians and vegans.

Soy meal is also rich in a number of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

It is also a good source of fiber, which can help to improve digestion and lower cholesterol levels.

In terms of health benefits, soy meal has been shown to have a number of positive effects on the body.

It is a good source of isoflavones, plant compounds that have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Some studies have also suggested that soy meal may have a positive effect on bone health, due to its high calcium content.

Defatted Soy Meal is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin K.

Whole-grain cornmeal vs Defatted Soy Meal Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing whole-grain cornmeal vs defatted soy meal.

This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of whole-grain cornmeal and defatted soy meal and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.

Whole-grain cornmeal vs Defatted Soy Meal 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 defatted soy meal vs whole-grain cornmeal for weight loss, defatted soy meal is slightly lower in calories, with 337 calories per 100 grams, compared to 362 calories per 100 grams of whole-grain cornmeal.

However, both whole-grain cornmeal and defatted soy meal can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.

Whole-grain cornmeal vs Defatted Soy Meal Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including whole-grain cornmeal and defatted soy meal, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Defatted Soy Meal offers around 83% more protein than whole-grain cornmeal.

Defatted Soy Meal has 49.2 grams of protein per 100 grams, while whole-grain cornmeal has 8.1 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Whole-grain cornmeal vs Defatted Soy Meal 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 whole-grain cornmeal and defatted soy meal.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 53% higher in whole-grain cornmeal than in defatted soy meal. It have 76.9 grams per 100 grams, compared to 35.9 grams in defatted soy meal.

There’s less sugar in whole-grain cornmeal than in defatted soy meal, 88% precisely.

One handful of whole-grain cornmeal (28 grams) contains 0.2 grams of sugar, while the same amount of defatted soy meal contains 1.7 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in whole-grain cornmeal and defatted soy meal.

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

With 2 grams of fiber per portion, whole-grain cornmeal is a better source of fiber than defatted soy meal which whole-grain cornmeal offers 1.5 grams per portion.

Whole-grain cornmeal vs Defatted Soy Meal Fats

Like most other grains and legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, whole-grain cornmeal and defatted soy meal are low in fat.

Fats in whole-grain cornmeal and defatted soy meal are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in whole-grain cornmeal and defatted soy meal:

• Whole-grain cornmeal: 3.6 grams per 100 grams
• Defatted Soy Meal: 2.4 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, defatted soy meal is 40% lower in saturated fats.

Defatted Soy Meal and whole-grain cornmeal contain 0.3 grams and 0.5 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Whole-grain cornmeal vs Defatted Soy Meal Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of whole-grain cornmeal and defatted soy meal.

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

Whole-grain cornmeal has a higher amount of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin K.

However, defatted soy meal has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B3 (Niacin), and vitamin E.

Whole-grain cornmeal and defatted soy meal contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins whole-grain cornmeal and defatted soy meal contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Whole-grain cornmeal vs Defatted Soy Meal 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 whole-grain cornmeal and defatted soy meal comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Whole-grain cornmeal is a better source of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc than defatted soy meal.

On the other hand, defatted soy meal is a higher amount of selenium, and sodium.

Whole-grain cornmeal and defatted soy meal contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how whole-grain cornmeal and defatted soy meal compare when it comes to mineral content.

The Final Word

Whole-grain cornmeal and defatted soy meal are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both whole-grain cornmeal and defatted soy meal 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.