Pistachio vs. Spirulina

Nutrition comparison of Pistachio and Spirulina


Ever wonder how your favorite foods stack up against each other in terms of nutrition?

We compared the nutritional contents of pistachio versus spirulina (100g each) below using 2020 USDA and NIH data[1].

For a quick recap of significant nutrients and differences in pistachio and spirulina:

  • Both pistachio and spirulina are high in calcium, calories, dietary fiber, iron, potassium and protein.
  • Spirulina has 60% less sugar than pistachio.
  • Spirulina has more beta-carotene than pistachio, however, pistachio contains more lutein + zeaxanthin than spirulina.
  • Spirulina has more thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid, however, pistachio contains more Vitamin B6.
Detailed nutritional comparison of pistachio and spirulina is analyzed below. You can also visualize the nutritional comparison for a custom portion or serving size and see how the nutrition compares.

USDA sources for nutritional information: Pistachio (Nuts, pistachio nuts, dry roasted, without salt added) and Spirulina (Seaweed, spirulina, dried) . Have a correction or suggestions? Shoot us an email.


Image of Pistachio src
Image of Spirulina src

Calories and Carbs

calories

Both pistachio and spirulina are high in calories. Pistachio has 97% more calories than spirulina - pistachio has 572 calories per 100 grams and spirulina has 290 calories.

For macronutrient ratios, pistachio is much lighter in protein, lighter in carbs and much heavier in fat compared to spirulina per calorie. Pistachio has a macronutrient ratio of 14:19:68 and for spirulina, 58:24:18 for protein, carbohydrates and fat from calories.

Macro Ratios from Calories:

Pistachio Spirulina
Protein 14% 58%
Carbohydrates 19% 24%
Fat 68% 18%
Alcohol ~ ~

carbohydrates

Pistachio and spirulina contain similar amounts of carbs - pistachio has 28.3g of total carbs per 100 grams and spirulina has 23.9g of carbohydrates.

dietary fiber

Both pistachio and spirulina are high in dietary fiber. Pistachio has 186% more dietary fiber than spirulina - pistachio has 10.3g of dietary fiber per 100 grams and spirulina has 3.6g of dietary fiber.

sugar

Spirulina has 60% less sugar than pistachio - pistachio has 7.7g of sugar per 100 grams and spirulina has 3.1g of sugar.

Protein

protein

Both pistachio and spirulina are high in protein. Spirulina has 173% more protein than pistachio - pistachio has 21.1g of protein per 100 grams and spirulina has 57.5g of protein.

Fat

saturated fat

Pistachio is high in saturated fat and spirulina has 53% less saturated fat than pistachio - pistachio has 5.6g of saturated fat per 100 grams and spirulina has 2.7g of saturated fat.

Vitamins

Vitamin C

Spirulina has 237% more Vitamin C than pistachio - pistachio has 3mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams and spirulina has 10.1mg of Vitamin C.

Vitamin A

Pistachio and spirulina contain similar amounts of Vitamin A - pistachio has 13ug of Vitamin A per 100 grams and spirulina has 29ug of Vitamin A.

Vitamin E

Spirulina has 130% more Vitamin E than pistachio - pistachio has 2.2mg of Vitamin E per 100 grams and spirulina has 5mg of Vitamin E.

Vitamin K

Pistachio and spirulina contain similar amounts of Vitamin K - pistachio has 13.2ug of Vitamin K per 100 grams and spirulina has 25.5ug of Vitamin K.

The B Vitamins

Spirulina has more thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid, however, pistachio contains more Vitamin B6. Both pistachio and spirulina contain significant amounts of folate.

Pistachio Spirulina
Thiamin 0.695 MG 2.38 MG
Riboflavin 0.234 MG 3.67 MG
Niacin 1.373 MG 12.82 MG
Pantothenic acid 0.513 MG 3.48 MG
Vitamin B6 1.122 MG 0.364 MG
Folate 51 UG 94 UG

Minerals

calcium

Both pistachio and spirulina are high in calcium. Spirulina has 12% more calcium than pistachio - pistachio has 107mg of calcium per 100 grams and spirulina has 120mg of calcium.

iron

Both pistachio and spirulina are high in iron. Spirulina has 607% more iron than pistachio - pistachio has 4mg of iron per 100 grams and spirulina has 28.5mg of iron.

potassium

Both pistachio and spirulina are high in potassium. Spirulina has 36% more potassium than - pistachio has 1007mg of potassium per 100 grams and spirulina has 1363mg of potassium.

Antioxidants and Phytonutrients

carotenoids

Carotenoids are micronutrients commonly found in plants and some animal products. An example is beta-carotene, the notable carotenoid which is a popular source of Vitamin A.[4][5]

For specific types of carotenoids, spirulina has more beta-carotene than pistachio per 100 grams, however, pistachio contains more lutein + zeaxanthin than spirulina per 100 grams.

Pistachio Spirulina
beta-carotene 159 UG 342 UG
lutein + zeaxanthin 1160 UG ~

Omega-3 and Omega-6

omega 3s

For omega-3 fatty acids, spirulina has more alpha linoleic acid (ALA) than pistachio per 100 grams.

Pistachio Spirulina
alpha linoleic acid 0.212 G 0.823 G
Total 0.212 G 0.823 G

omega 6s

Comparing omega-6 fatty acids, pistachio has more linoleic acid than spirulina per 100 grams.

Pistachio Spirulina
other omega 6 0.005 G ~
linoleic acid 13.125 G 1.254 G
Total 13.13 G 1.254 G



Customize your serving size


The comparison below is by weight, but sometimes 100g isn't that intuitive of a measurement for food. View a custom portion comparison (e.g. cups, oz, package).

You can try adding or subtracting the amount of either Pistachio or Spirulina .

Note: The specific food items compared are: Pistachio (Nuts, pistachio nuts, dry roasted, without salt added) and Spirulina (Seaweed, spirulina, dried) .

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FAQ

Does pistachio or spirulina contain more calories in 100 grams?
Both pistachio and spirulina are high in calories. Pistachio has 100% more calories than spirulina - pistachio has 572 calories in 100g and spirulina has 290 calories.

Is pistachio or spirulina better for protein?
Both pistachio and spirulina are high in protein. Spirulina has 170% more protein than pistachio - pistachio has 21.1g of protein per 100 grams and spirulina has 57.5g of protein.

Does pistachio or spirulina contain more calcium?
Both pistachio and spirulina are high in calcium. Spirulina has 10% more calcium than pistachio - pistachio has 107mg of calcium in 100 grams and spirulina has 120mg of calcium.

Does pistachio or spirulina contain more iron?
Both pistachio and spirulina are high in iron. Spirulina has 610% more iron than pistachio - pistachio has 4mg of iron in 100 grams and spirulina has 28.5mg of iron.

Does pistachio or spirulina contain more potassium?
Both pistachio and spirulina are high in potassium. Spirulina has 40% more potassium than - pistachio has 1007mg of potassium in 100 grams and spirulina has 1363mg of potassium.