Have you used chickpeas much before? They are a strange-sounding ingredient and are available either dried or canned. You may prefer different options depending on what you are using them for but more about that shortly.
What are chickpeas?
They are a legume also known as garbanzo beans in some areas. They are grown in Middle Eastern countries for a long time and as such are often used in their cuisines.
They have a nutty taste and are a good source of fibre, vitamins and minerals. Extremely high in protein they are a great substitute for meat in vegan and vegetarian diets.
Whilst they are not high in calories they are not as low as vegetables. A 56g portion of them contains 92 calories. This portion also contains 8% of the recommended daily intake of iron and 6g of protein.
The water they are soaked in or canned in is called aquafaba which is used by vegans as an egg substitute.
Why they are good for weight loss
The high protein and fibre in chickpeas are great for filling you up and as such perfect for weight loss. They limit the number of other calories you eat as they are filling you up.
Low-calorie-density foods like these are great to fill a portion of your plate with. They even have properties that support blood sugar control so they are great for those at risk of type 2 diabetes.
Etsy for weight loss
If you are like me and like buying fun new items to motivate your weight loss, then here are my favourites. Etsy is great for items for the kitchen and weight loss goodies. I could spend hours browsing there.
There are so many great food diaries too so you can record your meal plans and track your weight loss to keep a record of the good and bad weeks. Click the photos to have a look for yourself.
Useful for budget meals
These are really cheap legumes with a can for around 35p and dried chickpeas even cheaper. Dried chickpeas need rehydrating and boiling before cooking. Rehydrating them is best done overnight.
Chickpea flour, known as gram flour, is used in many dishes such as onion bhajis. Aquafaba, the water from them, can be used as an egg replacement in meals so if you are on a tight budget consider this too.
Chickpea recipes
There are so many ways you can use them in recipes, here are just a few of my favourites.
Snacks and dips
Roast them in the oven to make something a little like nuts.
One-pot pumpkin soup with apple, lentils and chickpeas
Main meals
Cauliflower and chickpea curry
Fruity roast plum, sweet potato and chickpea quinoa salad
Spanish chickpeas, spinach and eggs
Desserts
I recently made a chickpea cake, the recipe for that coming soon!
