I won’t let my kids eat junk food, so it gets a little difficult to come up with crunchy snack alternatives when we all have the munchies. One of our family favorites though are Crunchy Curry Chickpeas—we eat them almost EVERY Friday! Filled with magnesium and anti-inflammatory benefits, this one’s a must-try…and super easy to make!
If you want to avoid conditions like obesity, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes, you will want to steer clear of potato chips. Once thought of as nothing more than a harmless snack, potato chips have grown in popularity and variety across America. They are often consumed while watching a movie, working or during a long drive.
Unbeknownst to some, the word “potato” in the name is very deceiving. Normally, potatoes are a good source of vitamin B6, which is good for boosting your immune system and supporting the health of your eyes. Potatoes have also been known to lower blood pressure. However, these health benefits are completely reversed once this vegetable is combined with loads of sodium and baked or fried.
Chipping away at your health
Potato chips are the leading cause of obesity in the United States. When making potato chips, they are drowned in trans fats. These fats add calories to the snack, increasing your risk of weight gain. A diet that is high in trans fat may also increase your risk of heart disease and clog your arteries. Chips are also loaded with sugar and salt to give them that flavour that everyone loves.Popular chip brands like Lay’s, Pringles and Kettle Chips have had notices filed against them by the Environmental Law Foundation in California requiring manufacturers to label their products with warnings about the high levels of acrylamide found inside. Acrylamide is considered to be a cancer-causing chemical and is formed when starchy foods are baked or fried at high temperatures.
A nutritious alternative
Rather than indulging in a salty snack like potato chips, the following recipe offers you the same amount of crunch and is much more beneficial to your health. This nutritious and satisfying treat contains chickpeas, which are a wonderful source of folate, fiber, protein, iron, and zinc.While potato chips may lead to diabetes, chickpeas can help lower your blood sugar levels due to its high fiber content. In addition, iron and zinc help build and maintain bone structure and strength.
Chickpeas have also proven to offer the following health benefits:
- Lowers blood pressure
- Decreases your risk of heart disease
- Produces collagen
- Prevents inflammation and formation of cancer cells
- Helps with digestion
The recipe below also uses sea salt, which contributes to the deliciousness of this snack and is packed with minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium. These minerals contribute to the proper functioning of your body through its anti-inflammatory properties, as well as by flushing toxins out from your pores and improving blood circulation.
This recipe is from authenticselfwellness.com and has been used with permission.
Coconut Curry Chickpeas
Serves: 1-3 depending on whether or not you choose to share
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 cans low-sodium, organic chickpeas
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil
- 2 Tbsp curry powder
- Sea salt to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Rinse the chickpeas off with water and let them dry.
- In a large bowl, mix the melted coconut oil and curry powder together, then add the chickpeas to the bowl.
- Using your hands, gently mix them around to make sure they are all coated in the oil and spice.
- Spread the chickpeas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with sea salt.
- Bake for about 30 – 40 minutes or until the chickpeas are lightly brown and crispy.
- For optimum taste, eat within a day or two of making them.
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By Margaux J. Rathbun via The Hearty Soul
Sources:
http://authenticselfwellness.com/2015/04/recipe-crunchy-curry-chickpeas-snack/http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/07/07/potato-chips.aspx
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=48
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-934-pyridoxine%20vitamin%20b6.aspx?activeingredientid=934&
http://www.livestrong.com/article/395810-potato-chip-health-risks/
http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/breathe-article/HPB-047571
http://www.counselheal.com/articles/4845/20130411/chips-leading-cause-obesity-america.htm
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/280244.php
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/other/health-benefits-of-sea-salt.html
Image Sources:
http://cf.theleangreenbean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/roasted-chickpeas-4.jpg
http://authenticselfwellness.com/2015/04/recipe-crunchy-curry-chickpeas-snack/
http://cf.theleangreenbean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/roasted-chickpeas-4.jpg
