Upgrade Your Filler Foods - One snack at a time (Series - Part 4b)

While we have already discussed about white chickpeas, this part of the blog is dedicated to the "magical" black chickpeas or Bengal gram. These are also healthy and nutritionally rich filler foods to replace the junk. Check out some of the major health benefits of black chickpeas.

Health Benefits

• Power and immunity boosters: The buttery tasting black chickpeas are not only delicious but are also great sources of protein, minerals, and vitamins. You can snack on them anytime when feeling low on energy, as manganese in them makes them a nutritional powerhouse. It is good to include them in light breakfast to cut down on the heavy, oily stuff. Black chickpeas are loaded with iron and copper to boost your immune system.

• Weight loss and diabetes control: Being a great source of fiber, black chickpeas fill you up faster while reducing your cravings. This helps in managing body weight. Fiber in black chickpeas not only keeps your digestive and excretory systems healthier, but it also eliminates toxins from your body. Feeding on them can even avoid acid formation in the body. By regulating blood sugar levels, black chickpeas additionally help in controlling Type-II diabetes.

• Cancer prevention: With the presence of phytochemicals known as saponins, black chickpeas make an excellent food that prevents cancerous growth in the body. These also keep the brain healthier and sharper due to the presence of choline in them. So, get ready to be the next Einstein!

• Healthy heart: To make your heart beat right, adopt black chickpeas as your snacks. These can offer ample antioxidants and vitamin C to cut bad cholesterol in your body, and thus, keep your heart fit and fine.

• Healthy bones: Black chickpeas have all the nutritious elements that your bones crave for. Your bones can be stronger and healthier when they receive calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, phosphate, zinc, and vitamin K from your chickpeas snacks.

• Shiny skin and hair: With protein and zinc available from black chickpeas, your hair will start bouncing and dancing. You may not only stop hair fall but may also stop the premature greying of hair by regularly consuming black chickpeas.

• Women's health: Black chickpeas are magical for women's health. Being rich in iron, these prevent frequent issues like anemia and low energy levels in women. These are wonder foods for pregnant and lactating mothers who have to maintain metabolism and meet energy production needs. Black chickpeas help to prevent miscarriage in women and birth defects in their children. The antioxidants and phytonutrients in chickpeas further help in preventing osteoporosis and curing leucorrhea.

• Kidney health: You can avoid even serious kidney diseases by consuming black chickpeas regularly. Being low in sodium and high in potassium, these can be highly functional for the prevention of stones formation and high BP and stroke.

However, this list of health benefits from black chickpeas is not comprehensive. There are innumerable benefits you may gain if you give space to this marvel food during your snack time. If you are unsure on how to consume it, read on.

How to Consume

• Boil the black chickpeas and add salt, pepper and your favorite spices to them. You may also add a few drops of lemon juice and diced onion to make a crunchy salad.

• Make chickpea curry by adding some diced onion, tomatoes, spices, and coriander leaves.

• You can opt to just boil the chickpeas and strain their soup if you want a soupy treat anytime. It will only need a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

• Make sprouted black chickpeas with some advance preparation, if you want your snack ready for the next day.

• Roast a cup of boiled black chickpeas with some grated coconut, salt, and red chili. Enjoy!

• Innovate with boiled chickpeas to get your own healthy recipes for snacking.

Question for Readers

While you now know that black chickpeas are equally (or probably more) beneficial to white chickpeas, how are you going to turn them into healthy snacks? Which junk food will you sacrifice today for the magical chickpeas? Think for the answer and wait to receive another great snacking option in my next post!