How beneficial are chickpeas?

How beneficial are chickpeas?

Chickpeas are a very nutritious and beneficial food, especially for vegetarians, and an excellent source of protein. It is not only helpful in bodybuilding, but also in digestion, weight control, and blood sugar balance.

Benefits of chickpeas at a glance:

1. Good source of protein

100 grams of chickpeas contain about 19 grams of protein

Helps in muscle building and improving growth in children

2. Helps prevent heart disease

It contains fiber, potassium, and magnesium, which help control blood pressure and cholesterol

3. Helps in weight loss

Chickpeas are low in fat and high in fiber, which keeps the stomach full for a long time, thus reducing the tendency to overeat

4. Helps in digestion

Chickpea fiber keeps the intestines clean and relieves constipation

5. Helps in controlling diabetes

Chickpeas have a low glycemic index (GI) — blood sugar levels increase slowly

6. Good for the brain

Chickpeas contain vitamin B6, folate, zinc, which help in brain function

7. Strengthens bones

Calcium, magnesium and iron help in bone formation

How to eat chickpeas:

Eating them soaked (raw chickpeas + ginger) increases morning energy, good for digestion

Boil chickpeas as a light snack or salad

Chickpea soup is a nutritious diet

Chickpea pulses are nutritious

Caution:

If you have gastric tendencies, it is better to avoid eating excess chickpeas

Soak and wash raw chickpeas thoroughly before eating

Eat in moderation to maintain potassium balance in the kidneys

3 types of healthy recipes or snacks with chickpeas

Some amazing healthy snacks can be easily made at home with chickpeas, which are nutritious, low in calories and taste great.

Given below are 3 healthy and beneficial recipes for chickpeas

1. Chickpea Salad (Crunchy and Healthy)

Ingredients:

Boil chickpeas – 1 cup

Chopped onion – 2 tablespoons

Chopped tomato – 2 tablespoons

Chopped cucumber – 2 tablespoons

Chopped raw chili – as needed

Coriander – a little

Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon

Pinch of salt or salt to taste

Roasted cumin powder – 1/2 teaspoon

Preparation:

Mix all the ingredients to make a fresh and tangy salad.

Benefits: Light snack, full of fiber and protein

2. Dry-roasted chickpea snack

Ingredients:

Dried chickpeas (soaked, boiled and dried) – 1 cup

Olive oil or mustard oil – 1 teaspoon

Dried chili powder, turmeric, cumin powder – as needed

Salt – as needed

Preparation:

Heat oil in a pan and add spices

Lightly fry the chickpeas until crispy

Can be stored in the fridge

Benefits: Healthy spicy snacks made with less oil, eat this instead of fried foods!

3. Healthy Chickpea Hummus (Middle Eastern Style)

Ingredients:

Boil Chickpeas – 1 cup

Garlic – 1 clove

Olive Oil – 2 tablespoons

Lemon Juice – 1 tablespoon

A pinch of salt – to taste

Water – as needed

You can add a little sesame paste or sesame oil if you want (it makes the hummus creamier)

Preparation:

Blend all the ingredients in a blender and make a smooth paste.

Benefits: Can be eaten as a dip for chips, bread or vegetables, high in protein and iron

Additional Tips:

You can make patties with chickpeas and use them in burgers if you want

Chickpeas + yogurt are also great as a dip or raita

Conclusion:

Chickpeas are a powerhouse food — they have a balance of protein, fiber, minerals and vitamins. They boost the body immunity to many diseases and are a great ingredient to have in your daily diet.