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Tamale vs. Pupusas — In-Depth Nutrition Comparison

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What are the differences between tamale and pupusas?

  • Tamale is higher in vitamin B12, yet pupusas are higher in selenium, phosphorus, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, and polyunsaturated fat.
  • Pupusas' daily need coverage for selenium is 21% more.
  • Tamale has 2 times more vitamin B12 than pupusas. While tamale has 0.54µg of vitamin B12, pupusas have only 0.28µg.
  • The amount of saturated fat in tamale is lower.

We used Tamales (Navajo) and Restaurant, Latino, pupusas del cerdo (pupusas, pork) types in this article.

Infographic

Tamale vs Pupusas infographic
Infographic link

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.
Tamale
1
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 16% 8.7% 12% 46% 21% 40% 42% 56% 23% 33%
Magnesium Magnesium Calcium Calcium Potassium Potassium Iron Iron Copper Copper Zinc Zinc Phosphorus Phosphorus Sodium Sodium Manganese Manganese Selenium Selenium 27% 15% 23% 38% 22% 44% 69% 56% 21% 97%
Contains more IronIron +20.8%
Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium +72.7%
Contains more CalciumCalcium +69%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium +94.7%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus +63.6%
Contains more SeleniumSelenium +196.7%
~equal in Copper ~0.065mg
~equal in Zinc ~1.62mg
~equal in Sodium ~426mg
~equal in Manganese ~0.159mg

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.
Tamale
3
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 5.7% 0% 0% 0% 13% 18% 30% 12% 33% 68% 0% 11% 0%
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 0.33% 3.3% 7% 11% 21% 20% 44% 38% 53% 35% 2.8% 3% 21%
Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C +1600%
Contains more Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 +92.9%
Contains more FolateFolate +275%
Contains more Vitamin AVitamin A +∞%
Contains more Vitamin EVitamin E +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1 +66%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3 +49.2%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5 +212.2%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6 +60.8%
~equal in Vitamin B2 ~0.087mg

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
Tamale
1
6% 6% 18% 68%
Protein: 6.28 g
Fats: 6.12 g
Carbs: 18.12 g
Water: 68.1 g
Other: 1.38 g
12% 10% 23% 53% 2%
Protein: 11.51 g
Fats: 10.43 g
Carbs: 23.02 g
Water: 53.12 g
Other: 1.92 g
Contains more WaterWater +28.2%
Contains more ProteinProtein +83.3%
Contains more FatsFats +70.4%
Contains more CarbsCarbs +27%
Contains more OtherOther +39.1%

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Tamale
1
41% 47% 12%
Saturated fat: Sat. Fat 2.396 g
Monounsaturated fat: Mono. Fat 2.739 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 0.688 g
34% 42% 24%
Saturated fat: Sat. Fat 3.166 g
Monounsaturated fat: Mono. Fat 3.964 g
Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 2.205 g
Contains less Sat. FatSaturated fat -24.3%
Contains more Mono. FatMonounsaturated fat +44.7%
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat +220.5%

Carbohydrate type comparison

Carbohydrate type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Tamale
1
92% 3%
Starch: 12.27 g
Sucrose: 0.4 g
Glucose: 0.21 g
Fructose: 0.17 g
Lactose: 0 g
Maltose: 0.22 g
Galactose: 0 g
93% 2% 2%
Starch: 18.98 g
Sucrose: 0.38 g
Glucose: 0.34 g
Fructose: 0.33 g
Lactose: 0 g
Maltose: 0.39 g
Galactose: 0 g
Contains more StarchStarch +54.7%
Contains more GlucoseGlucose +61.9%
Contains more FructoseFructose +94.1%
Contains more MaltoseMaltose +77.3%
~equal in Sucrose ~0.38g
~equal in Lactose ~0g
~equal in Galactose ~0g

Comparison summary table

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

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Tamale Pupusas DV% diff.
Selenium 6µg 17.8µg 21%
Vitamin B12 0.54µg 0.28µg 11%
Polyunsaturated fat 0.688g 2.205g 10%
Protein 6.28g 11.51g 10%
Phosphorus 99mg 162mg 9%
Vitamin B5 0.205mg 0.64mg 9%
Vitamin B6 0.143mg 0.23mg 7%
Fats 6.12g 10.43g 7%
Choline 38.4mg 7%
Vitamin B3 1.59mg 2.373mg 5%
Saturated fat 2.396g 3.166g 4%
Vitamin D 0.7µg 4%
Calories 153kcal 232kcal 4%
Potassium 131mg 255mg 4%
Cholesterol 17mg 29mg 4%
Vitamin D 28IU 4%
Magnesium 22mg 38mg 4%
Folate 15µg 4µg 3%
Starch 12.27g 18.98g 3%
Monounsaturated fat 2.739g 3.964g 3%
Iron 1.22mg 1.01mg 3%
Vitamin B1 0.05mg 0.083mg 3%
Calcium 29mg 49mg 2%
Fiber 3.1g 2.6g 2%
Carbs 18.12g 23.02g 2%
Vitamin E 0mg 0.35mg 2%
Vitamin C 1.7mg 0.1mg 2%
Vitamin B2 0.08mg 0.087mg 1%
Vitamin A 0µg 10µg 1%
Zinc 1.48mg 1.62mg 1%
Vitamin K 1.1µg 1%
Manganese 0.174mg 0.159mg 1%
Net carbs 15.02g 20.42g N/A
Sugar 0.99g 1.45g N/A
Copper 0.063mg 0.065mg 0%
Sodium 427mg 426mg 0%
Trans fat 0.083g N/A
Tryptophan 0.052mg 0.121mg 0%
Threonine 0.239mg 0.46mg 0%
Isoleucine 0.271mg 0.456mg 0%
Leucine 0.568mg 0.976mg 0%
Lysine 0.427mg 0.784mg 0%
Methionine 0.15mg 0.268mg 0%
Phenylalanine 0.275mg 0.463mg 0%
Valine 0.318mg 0.531mg 0%
Histidine 0.196mg 0.354mg 0%
Fructose 0.17g 0.33g 0%
Omega-3 - EPA 0.004g N/A
Omega-3 - DHA 0.003g N/A
Omega-3 - ALA 0.029g 0.087g N/A
Omega-3 - DPA 0.006g N/A
Omega-3 - Eicosatrienoic acid 0.007g N/A
Omega-6 - Gamma-linoleic acid 0g 0.003g N/A
Omega-6 - Dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid 0.01g N/A
Omega-6 - Eicosadienoic acid 0g 0.045g N/A
Omega-6 - Linoleic acid 1.95g N/A

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Tamale Pupusas
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
15%
Tamale
20%
Pupusas
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
30%
Tamale
41%
Pupusas

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
Tamale
Tamale is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 12mg)
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Tamale
Tamale is lower in Sugar (difference - 0.46g)
Which food is lower in Saturated fat?
Tamale
Tamale is lower in Saturated fat (difference - 0.77g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Pupusas
Pupusas contains less Sodium (difference - 1mg)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Pupusas
Pupusas is lower in glycemic index (difference - 82)
Which food is richer in minerals?
Pupusas
Pupusas is relatively richer in minerals
Which food is richer in vitamins?
Pupusas
Pupusas is relatively richer in vitamins
Which food is cheaper?
?
The foods are relatively equal in price ($)

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. Tamale - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/167636/nutrients
  2. Pupusas - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/167663/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.