Comparing Protein Content: Tofu vs. Chicken (2024)

FAQs

Comparing Protein Content: Tofu vs. Chicken? ›

Chicken is significantly higher in protein than tofu, clocking in at more than double the amount.

As a dietitian and personal trainer, tofu and chicken are some of my favorite protein sources. Chicken is higher in calories, proteins, and fats compared to tofu, while tofu contains dietary fiber, which chicken lacks.

In cooking excluding roasted beans, proteins with a mass of 50 kDa or above and around 20 kDa were denatured, and in twice-fried tofu, proteins around 40 kDa were denatured, but the protein concentration excluding boiled soybeans did not decreased.

Soybeans generally contain more protein than chicken. On average, cooked soybeans contain about 16-18 grams of protein per 100 grams, while cooked chicken breast contains around 31 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Nutritionally, tofu offers much to love. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, half a cup of firm tofu offers 21.8 grams of protein with 181 calories and 11 grams of fat. Most of that fat is of the healthy polyunsaturated kind. The high level of protein makes tofu a good alternative to animal-derived meat.

Eating tofu and other soy foods every day is generally considered safe. That said, you may want to moderate your intake if you have: Breast tumors: Because of tofu's weak hormonal effects, some doctors suggest that people with estrogen-sensitive breast tumors limit their soy intake.

In case you're wondering which is healthier, eggs or tofu, the match-up is surprisingly close. If you compare them per serving (1 egg to a 3.5-ounce serving of tofu), the tofu has a similar amount of calories and slightly more protein. Here's how they stack up: Calories: egg = 78 | tofu = 70.

Incorporating tofu into your daily meals and snacks can bring several health benefits. Those benefits include brain health promotion, ease of menopause symptoms, and heart disease prevention. However, eating tofu has some risks, as it might lead to digestive issues or interact with certain medications like MAOIs.

Tofu and tempeh.

Studies suggest people who eat soy-based foods have lower odds of inflammation-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Nuts and legumes, Tree nuts like almonds and walnuts, along with peanuts, are rich in unsaturated fats, along with anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals.

Tofu is rich in nutrients, contains all essential amino acids and is low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Its adaptability allows for use in diverse dishes, whether as a meat substitute in vegetarian meals, blended into smoothies, or grilled, baked or stir-fried for added protein in a range of recipes.

Is peanut butter a complete protein? ›

Nut butter is also a source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscles. Although peanut butter is not a complete protein — meaning it does not contain all of the essential amino acids the body needs — it does count toward a person's daily protein intake.

Quinoa is a good source of protein, providing 8 grams per cooked cup (185 grams) ( 4 ). Quinoa is often referred to as a complete protein. This is because it contains all nine of the essential amino acids that your body can't make on its own.

1. BLACK BEANS. They contain 15g of protein in just a 1-cup serving, more than the amount in a chicken drumstick. Not only are black beans a great source of protein, but they're also an excellent source of fiber and vitamins and minerals—plus they're low in fat and have no cholesterol.

Soy is unique in that it contains a high concentration of isoflavones, a type of plant estrogen (phytoestrogen) that is similar in function to human estrogen but with much weaker effects. Soy isoflavones can bind to estrogen receptors in the body and cause either weak estrogenic or anti-estrogenic activity.

General Gut Health

One study found that consuming soy products led to an increase in the healthy bacterias bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the gut. Both of these bacteria have been found to help decrease risk of chronic diseases.

Other studies show that regularly eating tofu can provide lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, so while you might need to eat more of it to equal the same amount of protein consumed by eating chicken (about 290 grams of tofu to 150 grams of lean meat), the anti-inflammatory agents and bone-strengthening ...

Incorporating tofu into your daily meals and snacks can bring several health benefits. Those benefits include brain health promotion, ease of menopause symptoms, and heart disease prevention. However, eating tofu has some risks, as it might lead to digestive issues or interact with certain medications like MAOIs.

High-Protein Content: Tofu provides a significant amount of protein, essential for muscle repair and overall health, making it an excellent chicken substitute.

Tofu is a cholesterol-free, low-calorie, high-protein food that's also rich in bone-boosting calcium and manganese. Tofu may help you to lose weight by keeping you fuller for longer on fewer calories than meat. It may reduce the risk of heart disease, especially when swapped for saturated fat-heavy animal proteins.

Protein foods

poultry – chicken, turkey, duck, emu, goose, bush birds. fish and seafood – fish, prawns, crab, lobster, mussels, oysters, scallops, clams. eggs. dairy products – milk, yoghurt (especially Greek yoghurt), cheese (especially cottage cheese)