Natural Cook Studio of Bend

(also called Chickpeas)

With the growing concerns over rising obesity rates in the United States has come a growing concern over the excessive intake of carbohydrates. All carbohydrates are not created equal.  What is often lost in the trend towards reducing the intake of carbohydrates is that it is not merely the quantity, but the quality of the carbs we eat that makes a difference as to whether they promote weight gain. Garbanzo beans are a great, quality 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. One of the ways to decide whether a carbohydrate-rich food is one you want to include in your diet is to look at its score on the glycemic index, a numerical scale that measures how quickly and how high a particular food will increase blood sugar levels. Substantial research indicates that a low glycemic diet has many health benefits, including weight control. High in fiber, high in protein and low on the glycemic index, legumes, such as garbanzo beans, are a highly recommended addition to a healthy way of eating.

In Health,

Lisa