Peas - Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products

Green Peas: The High-Fiber, Protein Superstar You Need

Vinnie Stevens — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 09:13:00 +0000

No, this article is not a joke. Those little tiny green peas that you see in the freezer section of grocery stores are nutrient powerhouses. They are rich in protein, lots of fiber, and exhibit impressive antioxidant activity. They also offer lots of micronutrients, including vitamins C and K and manganese. Besides their impressive nutritional profile, green peas are very versatile and deserve to be a staple food in your diet.

What Are Green Peas?

Green peas are technically the seeds of the pod fruit and considered a fruit, not a vegetable. The reason for this is because they have seeds and develop from the ovary of the pea flower. These pods contain several small peas, either yellow or green in color, and (despite their fruit classification) are popularly used as vegetables in culinary applications. Different pea varieties offer different flavor profiles and can be enjoyed raw, cooked, or added to soups, stir-fries, and even desserts.

Peas have a rich history of culinary use, being a staple food in Chinese, Indian, Mediterranean, and British cuisines. In fact, archaeologists found evidence of wild pea consumption dating all the way back to 9750 B.C. Different civilizations consumed peas throughout the course of history, but were they aware of their nutritional benefits? Even if they weren’t, you can be by reading about the following health benefits of green peas.

Rich In Protein

Protein makes up the foundation of your skin, muscles, bones, and hair, but it plays a role in overall health. The body uses protein to build and repair tissues as well as synthesize enzymes and hormones. A protein deficiency can impair immune function, stunt growth, and decrease energy levels. Green peas are naturally rich in pea protein, with a cup of peas providing 8.6 grams. That makes green peas on par with other plant-based proteins, including quinoa, hemp seeds, and nutritional yeast.

Support Healthy Digestion

In addition to the impressive protein content, green peas boast 8.8 grams of fiber per cup, which fulfills 35% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of fiber. Studies suggest that incorporating more fiber-rich foods into your diet benefits several aspects of your health, especially digestion. Fiber passes through the digestive tract undigested, which adds bulk to stool to increase stool frequency. Some research indicates that fiber may benefit digestive conditions, including stomach ulcers, diverticulitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

May Protect Against Cancer

Green peas contain a lot of antioxidant compounds, which work to fight free radicals. They also help to relieve inflammation and reduce oxidative damage to cells. In some in vitro studies, some antioxidants in green peas have exhibited anti-cancer properties. Saponins are a type of antioxidant compound found in green peas, and they may inhibit tumor growth. According to a 2009 review from Canada, saponins in green peas and other legumes may have therapeutic effects against some types of cancer. Another review of in vitro studies found that saponins were able to prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells. That said, more research is necessary to confirm the promising anti-cancer activity of green peas.

Support Blood Sugar Control

The fiber and protein in green peas may help regulate blood sugar levels. In turn, these efforts may prevent symptoms like fatigue, increased headaches, and frequent urination (more common among diabetics). Fiber slows the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, which helps maintain steady blood sugar levels. Increasing protein intake has also been associated with lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Not only that, but green peas have a low glycemic index. One review found that eating lots of foods with a low glycemic index, such as peas, can help lower the risk of diabetes.

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Fill Up On These Low-Calorie, High-Fiber Foods

Vinnie Stevens — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 09:03:00 +0000

Following a low-calorie diet can be difficult if you are filling up on the wrong foods. Educating yourself on which foods have the lowest calories is a great first step, but the next step is finding which of those foods have a lot of fiber. You see, you can eat a lot of low-calorie foods, but they won’t necessarily fill you up. If you eat high-fiber foods, though, you will feel fuller for longer.

A common trend among low-calorie foods is that they are naturally low in fat and sugar, making them great for weight loss. Taking in fewer calories than you extend is helpful on your weight loss journey. That said you also need fiber-rich foods to feel full and benefit the digestive system. If you are in search of low-calorie, high-fiber foods to incorporate into your weight loss meals and snacks, there are plenty of delicious options. Continue reading to learn about the foods that are readily available.

Beans And Legumes

Cooked legumes, such as lentils, peas, and beans, are full of fiber and low in calories. They provide lots of plant-based protein and are very inexpensive and versatile. According to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines, people should consume at least 1.5 cups of them each week. You can use beans as a meat replacement in burritos or in burgers. Lentils, peas, and chickpeas go great in soups and stews, and you can add veggies as well. Top salads with chickpeas or black beans, and you can always browse the internet for more legume recipe inspiration.

Vegetables

Ideally, you should aim to consume at least 2.5 cups of vegetables every day. Incorporate certain vegetables into smoothies, salads, stir-fries, soups, stews, and other entree options. Roast some Brussels sprouts, grill some green beans or asparagus, or go green with a big bowl of mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and more. Most vegetables are low in calories and have lots of water and dietary fiber, making them hydrating, filling options. One cup of boiled Brussels sprouts, for example, contains 56 calories and 3.3 grams of fiber. A 100-gram serving of raw sweet potatoes offers 86 calories and three grams of fiber.

Fruits

A good rule of thumb is to always keep fresh fruit in the house. You can always incorporate fruit into smoothies, on top of yogurt, in salads, desserts, or simply enjoy raw fruit as it is. Fruit usually has 100 calories or less per serving, while also providing lots of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Take a medium apple, for instance, which offers 95 calories and three grams of fiber. One cup of blueberries contains 84 calories and 3.6 grams of fiber, while a medium pear offers 101 calories and six grams of fiber. And bananas, which everyone should have in their kitchen, offer 89 calories and 2.6 grams of fiber per one medium banana.

Whole Grains

Packed with fiber, B-vitamins, iron, protein, and other nutrients, whole grains are a great low-calorie addition to your diet. You can incorporate whole grains into breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert options. Enjoy oatmeal for breakfast, a quinoa-based Buddha bowl for lunch, and chickpea pasta or wild rice and legumes for dinner. You just have to be careful with how many grains you consume in a day because the calorie content can add up quickly. One cup of oats offers 307 calories, but it also gives you 8.1 grams of fiber. A single serving (about one cup) of quinoa offers 5.1 grams of fiber, 8.1 grams of protein, and 222 calories. Just be careful not to use packaged, pre-made, or microwaveable varieties because they often contain other preservatives, sodium, and added flavors that negate their health properties.

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Five-Minute Pea Puree

Vinnie Stevens — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 17:47:00 +0000

Who doesn’t have a bag of frozen peas in their freezer? Whether you need to ice a sore neck or make a shepherd’s pie, frozen peas have their purpose. Green peas have an impressive nutritional profile and their calorie content is fairly low. About 70% of those calories come from complex carbohydrates, while the rest come from protein and healthy fats. Plus, peas contain nearly every vitamin and mineral you need. In fact, a half-cup serving of peas contains:

Calories: 62
Carbohydrates: 11 grams (g)
Protein: 4 g
Fiber: 4 g
Vitamin A: 34% of the recommended daily intake (RDI)
Vitamin K: 24% of the RDI
Folate: 12% of the RDI
Manganese: 11% of the RDI
Thiamine: 15% of the RDI
Vitamin C: 13% of the RDI
Iron: 7% of the RDI
Phosphorus: 6% of the RDI

The great thing about this pea puree is its versatility. Use it as a dip with raw vegetables or spread it on a crisp crostini. Making a meal? Use this pea puree as a hummus substitute for your pita pocket. If you want to get really fancy, consider spreading it on the bottom of your plate and topping it with sautéed portobello mushrooms and their cooking juices. You can even use this as food for babies just starting on solid foods! You really want to know the best part? Simply defrost the peas, blend the ingredients together, and then enjoy.

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The Best Hummus Recipes 6 Ways

Vinnie Stevens — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 09:02:00 +0000

Is hummus good for you? The shorter answer is that it is if you make it yourself. If you buy flavored, packaged hummus from the store, you may be consuming excess amounts of sodium, preservatives, and flavorings. Not all store bought hummus is bad for you, but most are not as nutritious as the recipes you make yourself.

What Is Hummus?

Hummus is a great dip that’s made by blending chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. There are many variations, but that is a fairly standard recipe. Homemade hummus is an excellent source of protein, fiber, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. In fact a 100-gram serving of hummus provides the following nutrients:

Calories: 166
Fat: 9.6 grams (g)
Protein: 7.9 g
Fiber: 6 g
Carbs: 14.3g
Folate: 21% of the recommended daily intake (RDI)
Phosphorus: 18% of the RDI
Copper: 26% of the RDI
Iron: 14% of the RDI
Manganese: 39% of the RDI
Zinc: 12% of the RDI
Magnesium: 18% of the RDI
Vitamin B6: 10% of the RDI

Now, it should be noted that the above nutritional breakdown comes from plain hummus. We aren’t talking about roasted red pepper, garlic, roasted artichoke, or pine nut hummus varieties. Hummus can be an excellent source of dietary fiber, which works to keep you regular by adding bulk to stools, making them easier to pass. Additionally, the body’s gut bacteria turns some of the fiber from hummus into short-chain fatty acid butyrate, which helps nourish colon cells.

Are There Other Benefits?

Hummus is full of heart-healthy fats, which come from the olive oil. Studies have shown that people who consume oils with healthy fats have a lower risk of death from heart disease. Increasing your consumption of olive oil by two teaspoons a day may reduce the risk of heart disease by 10%, according to one study. Eating hummus that contains tahini (made from sesame seeds) may also reduce inflammation. The sesame seeds work to reduce IL-6 and CRP, vascular inflammatory markers, which increase the risk of arthritis. Finally, hummus has a low glycemic index, helping you avoid a sharp blood sugar spike. The fats in hummus also slow the absorption of carbs from the gut, providing a slower, steady release of glucose into the bloodstream.

We could go on about hummus and the many health benefits all day, but you came for the recipes and we’re going to give them to you. Read on to learn how to make six variations of this amazing dip.

Classic Homemade Hummus

Whip up a batch of this healthy homemade hummus and enjoy a smooth, creamy dip that bursts with hints of cumin and garlic.