Are Chickpeas The New Cauliflower?

If you can’t eat foods with gluten, or have tried to lower your carb intake, you might’ve found yourself munching on a veggie-filled pizza or pasta alternative. Cauliflower has become a trendy replacement in the past few years, along with a hearty staple of the mediterranean diet: the humble chickpea.

Banza, a food company that launched in 2014, is leading the exodus to the legume with its popular chickpea pasta and rice products. I spoke to Katie Couric Media about the health benefits of packing more chickpeas into your diet and how the legume compares to cauliflower as a replacement.

Given that folks are spending more time at home and potentially looking for ways to self-soothe amidst the pandemic, it’s no surprise that the common go-to remedy is comfort foods. Most people would agree that when considering comfort food, their first choice is presumably a carbohydrate-rich dish, with some form of sentimental attachment or nostalgia. It’s like receiving a large familial hug followed by a sense of calm, something we all need.

Chickpeas are a nutrient-dense alternative to wheat-based carbs when you’re looking to increase plant-based protein, fiber and micronutrients. Chickpea-based pizza crusts and pasta, found in Banza products, are delicious and easy to incorporate into a nutrition routine. Although it’s unlikely to see a dramatic difference in total carb content, chickpea-based products are much higher in protein and fiber, which digest slowly and help you feel fuller longer. It’s also worth noting that carbohydrates are not the enemy, as they are the brain’s preferred source of energy. Rather we need to think about the proportion of carbohydrates as well as the type of carbohydrates that are on our plates. This is why chickpea-based products are an excellent addition.