Chickpeas, commonly used in hummus and Middle Eastern cuisine, become a crispy, savoury snack when roasted. Roasted chickpeas are a healthy choice to satisfy cravings without sabotaging your diet. Chickpeas are naturally low in fat, high in dietary fibre and rich in vitamins and minerals. Before heading on to the benefits, let us know its recipe:
RECIPE:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Blot chickpeas with a paper towel to dry them. In a bowl, toss chickpeas with olive oil, and season to taste with salt, garlic salt, and cayenne pepper. Spread on a baking sheet, and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until browned and crunchy.
BENEFITS:
LOWERS CHOLESTEROL
The soluble fibre in chickpeas binds the bile acids and prevents them from being absorbed by the body, thus reducing cholesterol levels. Daily consumption of around ¾ cup of chickpeas helps to decrease LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol triglycerides. Moreover, the dietary fibre of black chick peas is superior to that found in other foods.
INTESTINAL HEALTH
Fibre-rich foods like chickpeas help promote a healthy intestine. The fibre in chickpeas lessens the strain on your intestine, reducing the risk of painful diverticulitis disease and constipation. A single-cup serving of canned chickpeas contains more than 10 g of fibre.
PROTEINS
Roasted chickpeas contain a considerable amount of protein with more than 7 grams, or 15 percent of a 50-gram DRI, per 1/2-cup serving. Use them to add a protein boost to meals without introducing meat or unnecessary fat to the dish.
AIDS WEIGHT LOSS
Inclusion of fibre rich foods in your diet can greatly contribute to weight loss. Chickpeas are rich in both soluble and insoluble fibre. Soluble fibre facilitates the excretion of bile and ferries by forming a gel like substance in the digestive tract whereas insoluble fibre prevents constipation and other digestive disorders. Moreover, fibre fills up your stomach, making you feel satiated for longer and curbs hunger cravings.
IRON
Being a rich source of iron, chickpeas can prevent anaemia and boost your energy levels. This is particularly beneficial for pregnant or lactating women as well as growing children. Iron plays an important role in the formation of haemoglobin by transporting oxygen from the lungs to all body cells and is an important component of enzyme systems for energy production and metabolism.