What is Chickpea Pasta?
Chickpea pasta is a high protein, lower carb, gluten-free alternative to traditional pasta. It is made of chickpeas, but tastes and looks just like the real deal. In fact, Banza's pasta shapes include Rotini, Penne, Spaghetti, Linguine, Shells, Angel Hair, Rigatoni, and Ziti.
Chickpea Pasta Nutrition Facts
The nutrient profile of chickpea pasta outweighs that of traditional pasta, containing 25g of protein, 13g of fiber, and 40% fewer net carbs per 3.5oz serving than traditional pasta. Compared to white or brown pasta, chickpea pasta will definitely keep you fuller for longer and more satisfied.
Health Benefits of Banza Chickpea Pasta
1. Allergy Friendly
For those who are intolerant to wheat, gluten, soy, dairy, or eggs, chickpea pasta is the miracle! Specifically from Banza, their chickpea pasta is not made with any major food allergens as defined by the FDA. On top of that, it is vegan, NON-GMO, and has no artificial ingredients.
2. Low Glycemic Index
Given that it's made from chickpeas, Banza pasta is a low glycemic index food — this means it is less likely to cause blood sugar spikes. When your blood sugar rises and then falls immediately after, it can lead to hunger and fatigue.
When this occurs frequently, your blood glucose levels may remain elevated for a longer period of time and your body will be unable to absorb the glucose. This can lead to insulin resistance, which can increase risk of type 2 diabetes. In one study, 13 healthy subjects who tried spaghetti made from chickpea flour experienced significantly lower GI (58.9) than when they tried traditional spaghetti (72.8).
The legume-based pasta also had a higher total polyphenol content and antioxidants than regular pasta. This study confirms the benefits of chickpea pasta and encourages a wider usage of legume based pastas in our diets.
3. Increases Muscle Mass
Banza's chickpea pasta contains 25g of protein per serving and double the amount of essential amino acids found in durum wheat pasta. Whether you're trying to gain muscle mass or maintain a well balanced diet, it is important to get enough protein in your diet.
While many individuals can get their protein from eating a variety of whole foods, others may struggle or require more. Chickpea pasta is protein-rich which can not only satisfy that pasta craving, but also help you reach your protein intake much easier.
Although pasta typically gets a notoriously bad rep for its carb-laden profile, it no longer needs to! With chickpea pasta, you can still enjoy your favorite pasta dish and stay on a healthy diet.
4. Improves Digestive System
Given that chickpea pasta contains 13g of fiber per serving, it can help with your digestive system by regulating bowel movements and keeping them healthy. Despite the array of high fiber foods available, Americans typically fall short on meeting their dietary fiber needs.
While the recommended intake of fiber is 20-30g, adults are only getting about 15 grams per day, almost half of what is required. This is why chickpea pasta can be a great alternative to traditional pasta for increasing your fiber intake.
5. Reduces Risk of Chronic Disease
Because Banza chickpea pasta does not cause a spike in blood sugar levels and has a low GI, it is linked with a lower risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, the high nutrient profile (particularly the high fiber content) helps reduce the absorption of cholesterol in your bloodstream. It may also reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure and reducing inflammation. In one meta-analysis, participants who consumed high dietary fiber experienced reductions in relative risk (RR) of 0.77-0.83 when it came to mortality. Hence, high fiber reduces their incidence and mortality from cardiovascular disease.
Banza Pasta Recipe Ideas
Cooking with Banza chickpea pasta is very easy and simple! Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce
2. Shell Pasta Bake
3. Greek Pasta Salad
4. Rotini Pasta with Marinara
5. Creamy White Sauce Chicken Pasta
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