Chickpeas Might Just Be Your New Diet Best Friend

Chickpeas are one of the most versatile legumes you can add to your diet. You can add them to stews and salads, you can roast them for a crunchy snack, and you can grind them to make hummus and falafels.

Also known as garbanzo beans, Bengal gram, Egyptian peas or Kabuli Chana they are chockful of nutrients, fiber, and protein while being low in calories. This makes them one of the most waistline-friendly foods out there.

In today’s blog, we’re going to talk about the many benefits you can get from chickpeas as you go about your weight loss journey. Let’s get started!

Great Reasons to Add Chickpeas to Your Diet

1.    They’re Packed with Nutrients

These legumes have an impressive nutrition profile. Every 28-gram serving contains just 46 calories, 8 grams of carbs, 2 grams of fiber, and 3 grams of protein. It also contains several vitamins and minerals including folate (12% of RDI), iron (4% of RDI), phosphorus (5% of RDI), Copper (5% of RDI), and Manganese (14% of RDI) among others.

2.    They Can Help Control Your Appetite

The protein and fiber content of chickpeas can help keep your appetite under control. This is because they help slow digestion which can keep you feeling fuller for longer. Moreover, it can also increase the levels of appetite-reducing hormones in the body.

3.    They’re an Excellent Source of Plant-Based Protein

If you’re trying to reduce your consumption of animal products, chickpeas are a great protein source for you. However, while they contain almost all the essential amino acids, they lack methionine. It’s best to pair with it other plant-based sources of protein to make up for this deficit.

4.    They’re Great for Weight Management

Chickpeas have different properties that make them an excellent part of a healthy diet especially if you’re trying to be in a caloric deficit. 

They are low in calories relative to the amount of nutrients they contain. They can also help reduce your total caloric intake by lowering your appetite and keeping your satiety levels longer. 

5.    Chickpeas Can Help Support Sugar Control

Chickpeas have a low glycemic index and are also a great source of fiber and protein, all properties that support healthy blood sugar control.

6.    They Can Benefit Your Digestion

Chickpeas are high in fiber, which benefits your digestion by increasing the number of healthy bacteria in your gut and helping waste flow efficiently through your digestive tract.