Gluten-Free Chickpea Flour Is the Low-GI Superfood That Keeps You Feeling Full Longer
One look at chickpea flour’s nutrition facts and you’ll be convinced of this superfood’s amazing health benefits. This gluten-free flour is chock-full of hunger-fighting protein and fiber, making it the perfect white-flour replacement for those who want to lose weight. Seriously, the nutritious punch is endless with chickpea flour!
What is chickpea flour, and is it gluten-free?
Not surprisingly, chickpea flour is made from ground-up chickpeas. It’s also known as garbanzo bean flour, besan, gram flour, and cici bean flour. Chefs in the Middle East and India have used chickpea flour for centuries in recipes like falafel and hummus.
Given that chickpea flour is made from beans, many people wonder, “Is chickpea flour gluten-free?” The good news is yes, chickpea flour is gluten-free, as legumes are not a type of wheat.
Chickpea Flour Nutrition
Eaters who don’t have celiac disease find chickpea flour appealing because of its nutritional benefits. It’s high in fiber and protein, which staves off those pesky hunger pangs and makes it a great choice for people who are watching their waistlines. Chickpea flour is also ideal for people with diabetes because it’s a low-GI food. This means it takes the body longer to absorb sugars and helps those with diabetes manage blood glucose levels.
Experts also believe that a diet high in legumes (chickpeas are a type of legume) is key to reducing cholesterol levels. That’s why legumes are featured heavily in the Mediterranean diet.
Chickpea flour also contains high levels of folate, a form of vitamin B9 that’s important for women who are pregnant or may become pregnant. Women can dramatically reduce their child’s risk of spina bifida, a birth defect that results in a baby’s spinal cord developing improperly, by taking folate supplements or getting enough of it through diet.
Chickpea Flour Recipes
Baking with chickpea flour is easy because of its inherent binding abilities and its denseness. It should hold up well as a replacement for wheat flours in bread, muffin, and cake recipes. Chickpea flour has a nutty flavor, which can add a layer of savoriness to any recipe. Seriously, chickpea flour pancakes, chickpea flour omelets, chickpea flour bread, chickpea flour cookies, and even chickpea flour pizza crust are all delicious! You can even find chickpea flour pasta at regular grocery stores.
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We’re convinced that once you incorporate chickpea flour into your diet, you’ll be saying “yes, peas” to more!
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