Craving chick peas...Are they OK?

50 yr old male, 5'11".

Started my weight loss program on August 1st. I was 230 lbs.

I am down to 205 lbs, and moving along nicely.

However, the past week, I found myself putting chick peas in all my salads. I'm using the canned variety. I'm rinsing them first, and using approx half the can once a day.

What's the truth about chick peas?

I only ask because 1 person said they're not good for losing weight, another said they're healthy as can be.

Please clear this up for me.

Thanks

I love chick peas and from everything I've read about them, they are a fantastic part of any diet. Lots of fiber and lots of good vitamins.  I recently discovered toasted chick peas (you can make them yourself - drain the canned variety, put on a baking sheet, add a bit of salt and cook) which are super yummy.

It all comes down to calories in the end. Like any source of protein, chick peas contain more calories than say a leafy veggie. So if you use too many of them the calories can start to add up. Measure the quantity (drained) so that you can accurately estimate the total calories and that's all you need to do.

Every one has a different opinion about what is "good" for a diet and what is not. I once read a HILARIOUS forum about arguments over whether or not bananas are good for a diet. I personally have a weakness for really dark chocolate. So I plan for it and let myself have it. So long as your overall nutrition is good, and your calories are on target, you'll be fine.

Last thought quick: all beans can cause bloating and gas - in some people more than others. This tends to go away if you eat them regularly.  At the onset, however, the bloating could be considered "weight gain" by some people. Long term, however, you'll see that it is not the case.

chick peas = good!   Lots of fiber & a source of protein, what could be bad?  Other than the sodium in canned, but even a full cup of canned is 390mg (and half a can is around a cup, right?)

I am a lover of chick peas, and I believe they are very good for you. I agree with scaroppo it all  comes down  to the calories. As long as  you are adding the calories and staying at or under your limit, go for it.

Great job on your weight loss thus far, keep up the good work.

Like all pulses (legumes) they're an excellent food but you can have too much of a good thing and, if you overkill the chickpea salads and get bored with them that would be a pity.  Maybe ring the changes by adding chickpeas one day and another day kidney beans, pinto beans, black-eye beans....   You can even sprout soaked chickpeas in a jar if you want a different texture

Long live the humble chickpea!

I do exactly the same as you...chickpeas in salads are just yummy!  I also sometimes add black beans or red or green lentils if I fancy a change, but chickpeas have to be my fave!

Definitely going to try toasting them scaroppa...that sounds divine!!

Yeah, thanks Scaroppa!

I love garbanzos...but do realize the calories will add up fast so have been using a can (low sodium) of them sparingly. I've been worried the remainder of the can will go bad...until now. I'm baking them up as a snack! 

I love chick peas. They're pretty calorie dense, but they're a great source of protein.

However, I think it's important to address why you're craving them. When your body craves a healthy food, it's often because you're not getting enough of some nutrient that can be found in that food. For example, undernourished kids with calcium deficiencies eat blackboard chalk because their bodies know they can get calcium from it. Our bodies are smarter than we give them credit for. I'd check your daily vitamin levels (on the analysis page, hold your mouse over the date), and see if you're low on anything.

They're not actually all that calorie-dense.  I see that a lot and I don't understand where it comes from.  4oz cooked chickpeas are about 150 cals.  4oz of raw skinless chicken breast is about the same.   As a 'portion of protein' goes they're one of the lighter choices, plus they're quite filling because of the fibre.

Original Post by gi-jane:

They're not actually all that calorie-dense.  I see that a lot and I don't understand where it comes from.  4oz cooked chickpeas are about 150 cals.  4oz of raw skinless chicken breast is about the same.   As a 'portion of protein' goes they're one of the lighter choices, plus they're quite filling because of the fibre.

I think that's just my bias towards food that's really not dense in calories.

Well it could have put someone off eating pulses....  Be careful

Sorry...

I'm sure they are healthy. As they are part of the legumes family.

But blehh...I don't like chickpeas. :/

Anthony, you picked one of the World's Healthiest Foods!

Here's the straight scoop about

Chickpeas, plus a short excerpt from The World's Healthiest Foods website - a non profit organization with the mission of promoting healthy eating.  A cup of cooked chickpeas provides us with nearly a third of the daily requirement of iron, plus all kinds of benificial minerals. 

Health Benefits

Garbanzos (also called chickpeas) are a good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber, as are most other beans. In addition to lowering cholesterol, garbanzos' high fiber content prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal, making these beans an especially good choice for individuals with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycemia. When combined with whole grains such as rice, garbanzos provide virtually fat-free high quality protein. But this is far from all garbanzos have to offer. Garbanzos are an excellent source of the trace mineral, molybdenum, an integral component of the enzyme sulfite oxidase, which is responsible for detoxifying sulfites. Sulfites are a type of preservative commonly added to prepared foods like delicatessen salads and salad bars. Persons who are sensitive to sulfites in these foods may experience rapid heartbeat, headache or disorientation if sulfites are unwittingly consumed. If you have ever reacted to sulfites, it may be because your molybdenum stores are insufficient to detoxify them.

A Fiber All Star

Check a chart of the fiber content in foods and you'll see legumes leading the pack. Garbanzos, like other beans, are rich in both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. Soluble fiber forms a gel-like substance in the digestive tract that snares bile (which contains cholesterol)and ferries it out of the body. Research studies have shown that insoluble fiber not only helps to increase stool bulk and prevent constipation, but also helps prevent digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis.

Original Post by clairelaine:

Anthony, you picked one of the World's Healthiest Foods!

Here's the straight scoop about

Chickpeas, plus a short excerpt from The World's Healthiest Foods website - a non profit organization with the mission of promoting healthy eating.  A cup of cooked chickpeas provides us with nearly a third of the daily requirement of iron, plus all kinds of benificial minerals. 

Health Benefits

Garbanzos (also called chickpeas) are a good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber, as are most other beans. In addition to lowering cholesterol, garbanzos' high fiber content prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal, making these beans an especially good choice for individuals with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycemia. When combined with whole grains such as rice, garbanzos provide virtually fat-free high quality protein. But this is far from all garbanzos have to offer. Garbanzos are an excellent source of the trace mineral, molybdenum, an integral component of the enzyme sulfite oxidase, which is responsible for detoxifying sulfites. Sulfites are a type of preservative commonly added to prepared foods like delicatessen salads and salad bars. Persons who are sensitive to sulfites in these foods may experience rapid heartbeat, headache or disorientation if sulfites are unwittingly consumed. If you have ever reacted to sulfites, it may be because your molybdenum stores are insufficient to detoxify them.

A Fiber All Star

Check a chart of the fiber content in foods and you'll see legumes leading the pack. Garbanzos, like other beans, are rich in both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. Soluble fiber forms a gel-like substance in the digestive tract that snares bile (which contains cholesterol)and ferries it out of the body. Research studies have shown that insoluble fiber not only helps to increase stool bulk and prevent constipation, but also helps prevent digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis.

Thanks so much for taking the time.

20 more lbs to go!!!

Wow, first of all CONGRATS on all of the weight loss!!!

Someone pointed out that the craving of the chickpea could signify your diet may be otherwise low in something, that is definitely true for me, make sure you are getting plenty of protein, and enjoy your chickpeas!!!

I love CHICKPEAS!!!

Roasted chick peas are super yummy. Here in Italy you can buy them already roasted -- they are mixed with sand and salt and baked. Here's a recipe link that you might like. I personally prefer them without the chili powder because I like the toasted taste of the chick peas, but the chili version is yummy too.

http://heart-healthy-cooking.suite101.com/art icle.cfm/roasted_garbanzo_beans

Come to think of it, maybe I'll make some this afternoon!!