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Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are loaded with nutrients. They are also one of the most overlooked ingredients you can use in just about anything. It’s easy to add them to your diet. They’ll improve your digestion, help you manage weight, and reduce your risk of several diseases.
For vegans and vegetarians, chickpeas also offer loads of protein. Regardless of your diet, you’ll get essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and health benefits from these delicious sources of nutrients.
The impressive nutrient profile offers a whopping 3 grams of protein in every serving (1 ounce). In addition, chickpeas only have 46 calories, of which 67% come from carbs. They contain 8 grams of carbs, 2 grams of fiber, as well as 14% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of manganese, 5% of the RDI of phosphorus and copper, 4% iron, and 12% folate.
The reason chickpeas are great for weight management is due to their protein and fiber. Both of those nutrients help keep your appetite under control, making you feel full faster and longer. Working together, they slow digestion and increase the amount of appetite-reducing hormones the body produces.
Chickpeas also conform to any diet. Whether you follow a strict plant-based diet or eat meat, they are easy to add to meals or can be prepared and eaten in a variety of snacks to reduce food cravings.
In addition, the nutrients contained in chickpeas have been proven to reduce the risk of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. They are also extremely affordable, unlike many other alternatives.
The number of things you can do with chickpeas is endless. They can be added to salads, roasted in the oven for a quick snack, or processed to make dips and sauces.
Cut down on your carb intake by adding them pasta dishes; you’ll get nutrients you wouldn’t otherwise get. Toss them with spices and roast them in the oven for a healthy snack that will fill you up and taste delicious. Throw a can of chickpeas with garlic, cumin, tahini, and lemon juice in a food processor and you suddenly have hummus. It really is that easy!
They can literally be used in any form imaginable while adding a filling, nutrient-rich source of food to just about anything you eat. Chickpeas hold the flavors you put on them, making it one of my personal favorites to add to meals and snacks.
