Pumpkin seeds vs Sunflower seeds
Two dried seed kernels, calorie-dense. Pumpkin seeds carry more protein, magnesium and iron; sunflower seeds bring more vitamin E and a milder taste. Pumpkin for the minerals and protein, sunflower for a lighter, everyday seed.
Pumpkin seeds and Sunflower seeds, per 100 g and per portion. A gap means USDA has no value for it — not zero.
| Pumpkin seeds · per 100 g | Sunflower seeds · per 100 g | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 559 | 584 |
| Protein | 30.2 g | 20.8 g |
| Fat | 49.1 g | 51.5 g |
| Carbs | 10.7 g | 20 g |
| Fiber | 6 g | 8.6 g |
| Sugars | 1.4 g | 2.6 g |
| Sodium | 7 mg | 9 mg |
| Vitamins & minerals — where both carry data | ||
| Calcium | 46 mg | 78 mg |
| Folate | 58 µg | 227 µg |
| Iron | 8.8 mg | 5.3 mg |
| Magnesium | 592 mg | 325 mg |
| Niacin | 5 mg | 8.3 mg |
| Phosphorus | 1233 mg | 660 mg |
| Potassium | 809 mg | 645 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.2 mg | 0.4 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.3 mg | 1.5 mg |
| Vitamin A | 1 µg | 3 µg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0 µg | 0 µg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.1 mg | 1.3 mg |
| Vitamin C | 1.9 mg | 1.4 mg |
| Vitamin D | 0 µg | 0 µg |
| Vitamin E | 2.2 mg | 35.2 mg |
| Vitamin K | 7.3 µg | 0 µg |
| Zinc | 7.8 mg | 5 mg |
Generic USDA foods (not brands), so both carry micronutrients. Numbers are per 100 g unless the portion toggle is on. USDA FoodData Central, as of 2026-08-12.
Is Pumpkin seeds or Sunflower seeds better?
Neither is “better” on its own — it depends what you want from it. The table shows where each is higher; the short answer says when each one fits. Compare on the same basis (per 100 g) and pick for your dish and your goal.
How were these numbers worked out?
Straight from USDA FoodData Central for the generic form of each food, per 100 g. We show the portion view too, but portion sizes differ between foods, so per 100 g is the fair comparison.
Why does one column say “no data”?
Because USDA has no value for that nutrient in that food — so we leave it blank rather than print a 0 that would read as “none”. A real zero from USDA still shows as 0.