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Flax seeds vs. Chia seeds — In-Depth Nutrition Comparison

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What are the main differences between flax seeds and chia seeds?

  • Flax seeds are richer in vitamin B1, copper, magnesium, and potassium, yet chia seeds are richer in selenium, calcium, vitamin B3, phosphorus, fiber, and iron.
  • Flax seeds' daily need coverage for vitamin B1 is 85% higher.
  • Flax seeds have 2 times more potassium than chia seeds. Flax seeds have 813mg of potassium, while chia seeds have 407mg.

We used Seeds, flaxseed and Seeds, chia seeds, dried types in this comparison.

Infographic

Flax seeds vs Chia seeds infographic
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Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 280% 77% 72% 215% 407% 118% 275% 3.9% 324% 139%
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 239% 189% 36% 290% 308% 125% 369% 2.1% 355% 301%
Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium +17%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium +99.8%
Contains more CopperCopper +32%
Contains more CalciumCalcium +147.5%
Contains more IronIron +34.7%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus +34%
Contains less SodiumSodium -46.7%
Contains more SeleniumSelenium +117.3%
~equal in Zinc ~4.58mg
~equal in Manganese ~2.723mg

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Vitamin C Vit. C Vitamin A Vit. A Vitamin E Vit. E Vitamin D Vit. D Vitamin B1 Vit. B1 Vitamin B2 Vit. B2 Vitamin B3 Vit. B3 Vitamin B5 Vit. B5 Vitamin B6 Vit. B6 Vitamin B12 Vit. B12 Vitamin K Vit. K Folate Folate Choline Choline 2% 0% 6.2% 0% 411% 37% 58% 59% 109% 0% 11% 65% 43%
Vitamin C Vit. C Vitamin A Vit. A Vitamin E Vit. E Vitamin D Vit. D Vitamin B1 Vit. B1 Vitamin B2 Vit. B2 Vitamin B3 Vit. B3 Vitamin B5 Vit. B5 Vitamin B6 Vit. B6 Vitamin B12 Vit. B12 Vitamin K Vit. K Folate Folate Choline Choline 5.3% 0% 10% 0% 155% 39% 166% 0% 0% 0% 0% 37% 0%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1 +165.2%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5 +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6 +∞%
Contains more Vitamin KVitamin K +∞%
Contains more FolateFolate +77.6%
Contains more CholineCholine +∞%
Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C +166.7%
Contains more Vitamin EVitamin E +61.3%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3 +186.7%
~equal in Vitamin A ~µg
~equal in Vitamin D ~µg
~equal in Vitamin B2 ~0.17mg
~equal in Vitamin B12 ~0µg

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
18% 42% 29% 7% 4%
Protein: 18.29 g
Fats: 42.16 g
Carbs: 28.88 g
Water: 6.96 g
Other: 3.71 g
17% 31% 42% 6% 5%
Protein: 16.54 g
Fats: 30.74 g
Carbs: 42.12 g
Water: 5.8 g
Other: 4.8 g
Contains more FatsFats +37.2%
Contains more WaterWater +20%
Contains more CarbsCarbs +45.8%
Contains more OtherOther +29.4%
~equal in Protein ~16.54g

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
9% 19% 72%
Saturated fat: Sat. Fat 3.663 g
Monounsaturated fat: Mono. Fat 7.527 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 28.73 g
11% 8% 81%
Saturated fat: Sat. Fat 3.33 g
Monounsaturated fat: Mono. Fat 2.309 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 23.665 g
Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated fat +226%
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat +21.4%
~equal in Saturated fat ~3.33g

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.
Flax seeds Chia seeds
Rich in vitamins ok
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Saturated fat ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Lower in price ok
Lower in Cholesterol Equal
Rich in minerals Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Flax seeds Chia seeds DV% diff.
Vitamin B1 1.644mg 0.62mg 85%
Selenium 25.4µg 55.2µg 54%
Calcium 255mg 631mg 38%
Vitamin B3 3.08mg 8.83mg 36%
Vitamin B6 0.473mg 36%
Polyunsaturated fat 28.73g 23.665g 34%
Copper 1.22mg 0.924mg 33%
Phosphorus 642mg 860mg 31%
Fiber 27.3g 34.4g 28%
Iron 5.73mg 7.72mg 25%
Vitamin B5 0.985mg 20%
Fats 42.16g 30.74g 18%
Choline 78.7mg 14%
Magnesium 392mg 335mg 14%
Monounsaturated fat 7.527g 2.309g 13%
Potassium 813mg 407mg 12%
Folate 87µg 49µg 10%
Manganese 2.482mg 2.723mg 10%
Vitamin K 4.3µg 4%
Carbs 28.88g 42.12g 4%
Protein 18.29g 16.54g 4%
Saturated fat 3.663g 3.33g 2%
Calories 534kcal 486kcal 2%
Zinc 4.34mg 4.58mg 2%
Vitamin B2 0.161mg 0.17mg 1%
Vitamin E 0.31mg 0.5mg 1%
Sodium 30mg 16mg 1%
Vitamin C 0.6mg 1.6mg 1%
Net carbs 1.58g 7.72g N/A
Sugar 1.55g N/A
Trans fat 0.14g N/A
Tryptophan 0.297mg 0.436mg 0%
Threonine 0.766mg 0.709mg 0%
Isoleucine 0.896mg 0.801mg 0%
Leucine 1.235mg 1.371mg 0%
Lysine 0.862mg 0.97mg 0%
Methionine 0.37mg 0.588mg 0%
Phenylalanine 0.957mg 1.016mg 0%
Valine 1.072mg 0.95mg 0%
Histidine 0.472mg 0.531mg 0%
Omega-3 - ALA 17.83g N/A
Omega-6 - Eicosadienoic acid 0.007g N/A
Omega-6 - Linoleic acid 5.835g N/A

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Flax seeds Chia seeds
Low Calories diet ok
Low Fats diet ok
Low Carbs diet ok
Low Glycemic Index diet ok

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Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).
Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score
62%
Flax seeds
32%
Chia seeds
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
191%
Flax seeds
221%
Chia seeds

Comparison summary

Which food is richer in vitamins?
Flax seeds
Flax seeds is relatively richer in vitamins
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Chia seeds
Chia seeds is lower in Sugar (difference - 1.55g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Chia seeds
Chia seeds contains less Sodium (difference - 14mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated fat?
Chia seeds
Chia seeds is lower in Saturated fat (difference - 0.333g)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Chia seeds
Chia seeds is lower in glycemic index (difference - 15)
Which food is cheaper?
Chia seeds
Chia seeds is cheaper (difference - $3)
Which food contains less Cholesterol?
?
The foods are relatively equal in Cholesterol (0 mg)
Which food is richer in minerals?
?
It cannot be stated which food is richer in vitamins. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information.

References

All the values for which the sources are not specified explicitly are taken from FDA’s Food Central. The exact link to the food presented on this page can be found below.

  1. Flax seeds - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169414/nutrients
  2. Chia seeds - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170554/nutrients

All the Daily Values are presented for males aged 31-50, for 2000-calorie diets.

Data provided by FoodStruct.com should be considered and used as information only. Please consult your physician before beginning any diet.