What is the Difference Between Nut and Legume?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between nuts and legumes lies in the structure and contents of their shells. Here are the key differences:
- Nuts: Nuts have a hard outer shell that contains a dry fruit and one or two seeds. The shell does not separate when the fruit is ready to eat but must be pried open. Examples of true nuts include hazelnuts, chestnuts, and acorns.
- Legumes: Legumes come in a pod containing multiple fruit. The fruit splits when they are ready to harvest. Legumes usually have multiple seeds within a casing. Examples of legumes include peas, carob, beans, lentils, chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans, and peanuts.
In summary:
- Nuts have a hard outer shell with one or two seeds inside.
- Legumes have a seed pod containing multiple seeds.
Both nuts and legumes are rich in nutrients, such as protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, and can be part of a healthy diet.
Comparative Table: Nut vs Legume
Here is a table comparing the differences between nuts and legumes:
| Parameter | Nuts | Legumes |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A specific type of dry fruit with a single seed, a tough shell, and a covering called a husk. | Nutrient-rich foods with multiple seeds within a pod, typically attached to the inside. |
| Seeds | Usually contain one or two seeds. | Comes with multiple seeds. |
| Fat Content | High fat content. | Low fat content. |
| Calories | Higher calorie content. | Lower calorie content. |
| Protein Content | Contains protein. | Contains protein, but less than nuts. |
| Fiber Content | Contains fiber. | Contains more fiber than nuts. |
| Carbohydrates | Contains carbohydrates. | Contains more carbohydrates than nuts. |
| Examples | Almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, and cashews. | Black-eyed peas, black beans, garbanzo beans, navy beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, and lentils. |
Nuts and legumes both contain nutrients such as protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and good fats, but they differ in their seed content, fat content, calorie content, and nutritional composition.
Read more:
- Legumes vs Beans
- Legumes vs Lentils
- Nuts vs Seeds
- Legumes vs Cereals
- Seed vs Nut
- Leguminous vs Non Leguminous Plants
- Fruits vs Nuts
- Beans vs Peas
- Pecans vs Walnuts
- Garbanzo Beans vs Chickpeas
- Food vs Nutrition
- Cereals vs Pulses
- Fruit vs Vegetable
- Diet vs Nutrition
- Fruit vs Seed
- Almond Butter vs Peanut Butter
- Animal vs Plant Protein
- Peanut Butter vs Sunflower Butter
- Fruits vs Vegetables