Chickpeas for weight management

Finding a healthy, tasty snack that could actively help you lose weight and keep it off – sometimes seems impossible. While there is no perfect solution, chickpeaa could be close.

How do chickpeas help with weight management?

Chickpeas have long been linked with a wide range of health benefits, however, there are several reasons why chickpeas can help with weight management specifically.

Firstly, chickpeas are a rich source of dietary fibre. Many people believe diets high in fibre are the key to weight loss. Fibre actually slows the rate at which sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream.
What this means is that your blood sugar levels are better stabilised instead of spiking with a huge rush of sugar, which can make you feel hungry soon after eating, leading to a higher caloric intake and potential weight gain.

Foods high in fibre are much more filling than those with low amounts of fibre, as they act as a ‘bulking agent’, resulting in you feeling fuller for longer. Not to mention that fibre helps maintain a healthy digestive system, promotes good bowel health and helps to lower cholesterol levels.

Chickpeas are also high in protein – critical to the overall growth, repair and functioning of a healthy body. Protein promotes an increase in muscle mass, which assists the body in burning fat. Protein also has the highest thermic effect, meaning the body burns more calories when processing protein than when eating any other food source and takes time to digest, curbing hunger.

Chickpeas have a very low glycemic index. The glycemic index is a ranking of carbohydrate in foods, in accordance of how they affect blood glucose levels. Low GI foods are more slowly processed and metabolised, causing a much slower rise in blood sugar levels, thereby controlling appetite and reducing cravings.

Including chickpeas in your diet

Chickpeas are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. You can, of course, buy the canned variety or they can be bought dried, roasted or ground, and eaten hot or cold. Try adding chickpeas to soups, stir-frys, curries and salads, or make delicious, healthy patties with chickpea flour. Make home-made hummus as an alternative to butter or mayonnaise, or whip up some delicious chickpea fritters with your favourite veggies.

There are so many ways to use these incredible legumes, type ‘chickpea recipes’ into your browser – get inspired and start getting the benefits today.

Or try Happy Snack Company Chic Peas and add them to your lunchbox for a mid-afternoon snack.