Calorie count of soaked nuts/seeds vs dry

eireannyoung

Hi all! I'm wondering if someone has knowledge or knows of a good website that could help me.

I regularly soak nuts and seeds overnight, because at the start of the germination process the protein count is raised, and I like a very high protein breakfast. It also makes them more digestible, so I can get more of the nutrients. However, I realized recently that when I log these on MFP, it is giving me a calorie count that is probably a lot higher than it should be - because the germination process lowers the fat content and therefore the number of calories. I'm a gainer, so it's important to me to make sure I'm not tricking myself into thinking I'm eating more calories than I actually am.

Does anyone have any knowledge, or at least a good estimation, of the true calorie count of soaked seeds vs. regular?

I regularly soak: chia seeds, walnuts, brazil nuts, and sunflower seeds.

Thanks in advance!

PaleoPath4Lyfe

Soaking nuts and seeds does not change the calorie count in any way.

However, you are gaining a LOT by soaking and sprouting and type of nut, seed or grain. due to the process of germination produces vitamin C but also changes the composition of grains and seeeds in numerous beneficial ways. Sprouting increases vitamin B content, especially B2, B5, and B6. Carotene increases dramatically–sometimes eightfold. Even more important, sprouting neutralizes phytic acid, a substance present in the bran of all grains [and in nuts, beans, and seeds] that inhibits apsorption of calcium, magnesium, iron, copper and zinc; sprouting also neutralizes enzyme inhibitors present in all seeds. These inhibitors can neutralize our own precious enzymes in the digestive tract…numerous enzymes that help digestion are produced during the germination process.

eireannyoung

Thank you! I agree, I need all the nutrients I can get, and that's the main reason I started doing this (though I do eat dry nuts and seeds later in the day, when my digestion tends to be better). I was just confused on the calorie count because from what I've read, the germination process lowers the fat content because the fat is being used for the energy of germination. Wouldn't a lowering of fat content affect the calorie count?

Didn't know that about the Vitamin C and enzymes, though, that's really cool!

Krystalmyth

Wonder what happens if you eat lots of seeds and then drink a ton of water. Will you have a garden growing in your tummy? That'd be kind of cool.

PaleoPath4Lyfe

Thank you! I agree, I need all the nutrients I can get, and that's the main reason I started doing this (though I do eat dry nuts and seeds later in the day, when my digestion tends to be better). I was just confused on the calorie count because from what I've read, the germination process lowers the fat content because the fat is being used for the energy of germination. Wouldn't a lowering of fat content affect the calorie count?

Didn't know that about the Vitamin C and enzymes, though, that's really cool!

Since going Paleo I read on a lot of raw vegan websites and the calorie content is not different.

robinandersson528

Still one question appear when you say: "Soaking nuts and seeds does not change the calorie count in any way. " Do you mean that it doesnt change per seed or per 100s of grams?

lynn_glenmont

Well, if you're using database entries for dry nuts and seeds, I think you need to weigh them before you add the water.