#16: The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth

00Angela00

This is day sisteen of our education of the 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth. Woo Hoo! Some of these you won't be surprised by, some you will. I'll take one out of each food group each day to mix it up a bit.

All information is from the book by jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S. "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth".

Day 16: Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas)

Chickpeas are beans with a complexion problem! While other lentis and beans have a smooth-looking "face", chickpeas have bumps that, if you look really closely, resemble a chick's beak (hence the name?). But looks aren't everything. The chickpea was on eof the first cultivated crops and is one of the most popular legumes in the world.

* eating more legumes can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease

* In a large study of almost 10,000 men and women in the US, those who ate pulses four or more times a week had a 22% lower risk of coronary heart disease and an 11% lower risk of cardiovascular events than those who ate them less then once a week

* has 12.5g of fiber per cup

* Study showed that Europeans who are the most fiber had an almost 40% lower risk of colon cancer than those who ate the least

* GARBANZOS CURB OVEREATING!

* Fiber--particularly soluble fiber--can also lower blood cholesterol levels and slow the absorption of sugar, which is hugelly important both for people with diabetes and for people with any blood sugar challenges (metabolic syndrome)

*A high-fiber diet will probably reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes

* Legumes in general cause less of a rise in blood glucose than foods like potatoes or almost any wheat-based food.

* High-fiber foods generally require more chewing time, giving your body extra time to register the fact that you're no longer hungry, so you're less likely to overeat.

* High-fiber diet tends to fill you up longer

* high fiber diests tend to have more volume for few calories

* Chickpeas have calcium and magnesium in a great 1:1 ratio

* decent amount of folate

* a ton of heart-healthy potassium (466mg per cup!)

* have the powerful antioxidant mineral selenium

*Noted natural-foods expert Rebecca Wood warns that if your only contact with chickpeas has been at a salad bar, you're missing out on some serious flavor, She suggests simmering them till tender with garlic and toasted cumin seeds and then getting ready to enjoy one of the creamiest, tastiest beans on the planet. You can also cook, season, and oast them for a snakc that replaces nuts and chips.

For previous posts:
ARTICHOKES: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57017--1-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
OATMEAL: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57180--2-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
BEANS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57278--3-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
APPLES: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57482--4-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
ALMONDS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57516--5-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
EDAMAME: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57602--6-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
BUTTER/GHEE http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57689--7-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
EGGS: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57791--8-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
CRUSTACEA: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/57940--9-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
BEE POLLEN: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58069--10-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
ACAI JUICE: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58196--11-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
CARDAMOM: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58290--12-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
ALMOND OIL: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58381--13-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
ARUGULA: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58426--14-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth
QUINOA: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/58555--15-the-150-healthiest-foods-on-earth

TheMaidOfAstolat

Yeah for hummus! Chickpeas are delicious. :happy:

00Angela00

Yeah for hummus! Chickpeas are delicious. :happy:

mmm I love hummus. Does anyone know if hummus is healthy? I know they add lots of stuff in it, but I don't know what?

maurierose

You can make your own hummus.... drain most of the water off a can of chickpeas and blend until creamy, add a squirt of lemon and a little garlic to taste... you can season it any way you like with anything else.

lotusfromthemud

Yeah for hummus! Chickpeas are delicious. :happy:

mmm I love hummus. Does anyone know if hummus is healthy? I know they add lots of stuff in it, but I don't know what?

It's pretty calorie dense, so you need to either portion accordingly (if I'm remembering correctly, 2 tbs is around 75 calories) or use it as your protein source. I often have a large serving of hummus and a huge plate of cut up veggies for lunch.

You can also add cayenne pepper (spicy)
roasted red peppers and lots of other things to it.