Check Out The Chickpeas
Beans are extremely high in antioxidants, they’re delicious, they are low in calories, and they fill you up fast. Each type of bean boasts its own nutritional powers. Studies show that eating beans regularly will reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, obesity and cancer. To reap the anti-aging and disease-fighting benefits that beans offer, you’ll want to include a variety of them in your diet.
Also known as a chick pea, the garbanzo bean is a dietary staple in many cultures. They can be used whole, mashed or ground into flour. They can be eaten cold in salads, cooking into stews or shaped into falafel balls. Like other legumes, garbanzo beans are a great source of protein, which is essential for energy and muscle development, and fiber which keeps the digestive tract regular, lowers cholesterol and maintains blood sugar levels. How will you incorporate these beans into your meals?
Lately, I have been making my own hummus. It’s so simple when you start with a drained can of garbanzo beans and then add some tahini, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, garlic, salt, turmeric and cumin. I toss it all into my mini Cuisinart, and the result is a creamy, smooth treat. I like to spread this onto a whole wheat tortilla and pile it with greens, avocado and tomato. You could also use hummus as a dip for cut up vegetables or crackers. Delicious. Try it this week!