Paneer vs Tofu – Which One Should You Pick?

Tofu and paneer are common food products consumed in many parts of the world. The fact that paneer is commonly made out of goat or cow milk and features in many Indian vegetarian dishes is widely known. Tofu has grabbed the spotlight recently and happens to be a soy product. Both have notable similarities, but some differences set them apart.  As far as the nutritive quality is concerned, both are exceptionally packed with protein, iron, and calcium. When it comes to picking the healthier option, tofu, of course, is a healthier option, with more iron content than cottage cheese and fewer calories. The only disadvantage of tofu is that it has a peculiar taste which is why some people prefer paneer instead.

Differences Between Tofu and Paneer

Paneer and tofu appear to be alike even though they are prepared with different varieties of milk. Many vegetarians prefer paneer, a milk product and tofu, a soy product. Cooking tofu is quite a tedious task, but paneer can be easily made at home. Tofu, a versatile food product, is preferred by people who are trying to lose weight because of its low calorie, low-fat content, and also it is easily digestible and more nutritious for the body. The taste and texture of both are similar. Their originality is one of the main differences. Tofu is said to have originated in China and paneer in India. The fat content in both the products vary as paneer is made from milk with high-fat content and tofu is obtained from coagulated milk or soy milk with low-fat content. Paneer is perishable because it is made out of fresh milk and tofu can last for a significant period.

Tofu or Paneer – Which is Healthier?

Paneer vs tofu nutrition has always been a topic of discussion among diet conscious people. Both have acquired prime positions in the Indian kitchens. There are some points of difference between tofu and paneer. The differences are as enlisted below:

1. The Difference in Protein Content

The protein content of paneer is much higher than that of tofu. For the vegetarians, it serves as a wonderful source of protein. By building up the muscles, it works wonders for weight training regime or weight gain diet. As tofu is made of soy milk, the protein content in it is relatively low.

2. The Difference in Fat Content

Paneer is no doubt touted as food for weight – loss friendly people. The fat content in paneer is way higher than tofu. That is the reason why tofu is treated as an excellent weight loss food.

3. The Difference in Calorie Content

The calorie content of paneer is high. Here too we find that tofu is a better substitute for weight loss planners and is a perfectly healthy food that does not add too many calories.

4. The Difference in Calcium Content

Calcium is much needed to build strong bones and teeth. Paneer is very rich in its calcium content which is why it is very useful for people of all age groups. Tofu, which is also called bean curd, has less amount of calcium as compared to paneer, and so paneer beats tofu in terms of calcium content.

5. The Difference in Carbohydrate Content

Both tofu and paneer are made from milk. Tofu has higher carbohydrate content than paneer which is estimated to be almost double the amount. Hence paneer is considered to be an excellent food for diabetic people.

If you look at the difference in the nutritional properties of both, it’s obvious that tofu is the right choice of food for weight loss. Paneer has its own nutritional content and benefits which cannot be overlooked. So you can safely conclude that both should be a part of the diet as per the specific needs of the body. However, you should alter your diet after consulting a reputed dietician.

If we are faced with a query as to which is healthier, tofu is definitely a healthier option because of the rich iron content in it. Some health experts recommend tofu as very healthy food to patients. Both the products are bland and so they need to be spiced up for taste. They can be either stir-fried or marinated according to the need. People who are dairy intolerant can safely add tofu to their diet. Ultimately both are good in their own special ways.

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