5 Reasons to Eat More Chickpeas
Today, we’re sharing our favorite 5 reasons to eat more chickpeas. Chickpeas – also known as Garbanzo beans – are all the rage right now. Not only do they offer a wide range of nutrition benefits, but they also pair with so many other different foods and are great for plant-based diets. Roasted chickpeas can be found regularly as a side on our Fresh Express. You’ll also find chickpeas in the “Beefed Up” menu item from our new Heat & Eat Meals.
With so many different ways to enjoy them – and reasons why you should – chickpeas are one of our most favorite versatile foods! Read on below for our top 5 reasons to eat more chickpeas.
Full of Nutrients
Chickpeas contain 46 calories for every 1 oz serving and have a balanced amount of carbohydrates, fiber, and protein. Their low-calorie/high-protein profile makes them ideal for weight management and an additional source of vitamins and minerals.
Plant-Based Protein
If you’re on a vegan or vegetarian diet, it may be difficult to get enough protein into your diet. Protein is helpful for weight control, bone health, and muscle mass; that’s where chickpeas come into play. A 1 oz serving of chickpeas has 3g of protein, which is about the same as black beans and lentils.
Supports Blood Sugar Control
For diabetics or those on a low-carb diet trying to monitor their sugar intake, chickpeas are a great food to regularly incorporate into your meals. They have a low glycemix index, an indicator of how rapidly your blood sugar rises after eating a food. They’re also high in fiber and protein, two key components of managing blood sugar.
Benefits Digestion
Since chickpeas are high in fiber, eating a serving a day helps increase the number of healthy bacteria in your gut. Over time, this will improve digestion.
Highly Versatile
You can find chickpeas at every grocery store, whether canned or dried, and you won’t believe all of the things you can do with them. Drain, rinse, and toss in a salad, or add to a food processor with some tahini, lemon, garlic, salt, and olive oil for a quick homemade hummus. Or, for an easy snack, add them to your air fryer with a few sprays of extra virgin olive oil. This also works by tossing them in the oven.
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Check out our friends at Healthline to see more benefits of eating chickpeas.