Tiny green peas pack an impressive amount of nutritional benefits to help keep you feeling full and strong.
Although we tend to think of them as vegetables, peas are technically legumes, registered dietitian Grace Derocha, tells TODAY.com. So, nutritionally, they have more in common with foods like beans and chickpeas, says Derocha, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
And, like those other legumes, peas are a “great source of plant-based protein and are also high in fiber,” Debbie Petitpain, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, tells TODAY.com.
That’s a winning combination for your health — and may promote gut health and feelings of fullness. Plus, with frozen and canned varieties available, peas are an exceptionally cost-effective, nutritious food.
Peas nutrition
In a cup of cooked green peas, you’ll find:
- 134 calories
- 8.6 grams protein
- 0.4 grams fat
- 25 grams carbohydrates
- 8.8 grams fiber
Peas benefits
Although we tend to think of peas as vegetables, they are actually considered legumes because they grow in pods, Derocha explains. And, like other legumes (such as chickpeas, black beans and lentils), peas are high in both fiber and plant-based protein.
Peas contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, which are helpful for digestion and feelings of fullness. But, if you’re not used to eating a lot of fiber, you may “experience some extra gas” if you start consuming a lot of them, Pettitpain says
Cooking them may help with that because cooked peas are easier for the body to break down, Derocha says. “You can enjoy them both ways, but I think it’s a little bit better to cook them just so you don’t get that gassy, bloated, cramped feeling.”
Because peas are high in protein and fiber, they can help you feel more satiated after a meal, and therefore aid in weight loss. However, peas do contain more calories than some other vegetables.
But peas also pack a ton of other nutrients that often go overlooked. For…
Read the full article here
