Chickpea Flour vs Split Peas: Which Is Healthier?

Chickpea Flour and split peas belong to the legumes and legume products food group, one of the staple food groups for people on a plant-based diet.

Legumes and most legume products are an affordable source of plant protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins, and minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, and zinc, minerals that are usually harder to get on a plant-based diet.

This article will thoroughly compare chickpea flour and split peas and help you learn more about their similarities and differences.

Chickpea Flour

Chickpea flour, also known as gram flour or besan, is a type of flour made from ground, dried chickpeas.

It is a popular ingredient in many vegan and vegetarian dishes due to its high protein and fiber content, as well as its nutty, slightly sweet flavor.

Chickpea flour is a good source of several important nutrients, including potassium, iron, and B vitamins.

It can be used in a variety of dishes, including breads, pancakes, and fritters, and is also a key ingredient in traditional dishes such as falafel and socca.

There’s also a pasta made of chickpea flour. Check out how chickpea pasta compares to a regular pasta.

In addition to being a nutritious food, chickpea flour has been shown to have a number of potential health benefits.

It is a good source of antioxidants, and has been linked to lower levels of cholesterol and improved blood sugar control.

Chickpea flour is also a good source of several important minerals, including iron, zinc, and magnesium.

Chickpea Flour is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) and some Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin E, and Vitamin K.

Split Peas

Split peas (Pisum sativum) are a type of legume that are native to the Middle East and have been grown for thousands of years.

They are made by splitting dried peas and removing the outer skin, resulting in a small, round, flat legume that is green or yellow in color.

Split peas are a popular ingredient in many dishes, such as split pea soup, and are highly valued for their nutritional content.

One of the main health benefits of split peas is their high protein content.

They are a good source of plant-based protein, making them a popular choice for vegetarians and vegans.

Split peas are also high in fiber, which can help to improve digestion and lower cholesterol levels.

They are rich in nutrients such as iron, potassium, and B vitamins. They also contain several plant compounds that have been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Split Peas are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine).

They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin K and some Vitamin A, Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate).

Chickpea Flour vs Split Peas Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing chickpea flour vs split peas.

This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of chickpea flour and split peas and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.

Chickpea Flour vs Split Peas Calories

Most calories in raw legumes come from carbs. Peanuts are an exception here, but they are often considered a nut instead of a legume because of their nutritional profile.

Comparing split peas vs chickpea flour for weight loss, split peas are slightly lower in calories, with 364 calories per 100 grams, compared to 387 calories per 100 grams of chickpea flour.

However, both chickpea flour and split peas can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.

Chickpea Flour vs Split Peas Protein

Legumes and most legume products, including chickpea flour and split peas, are important sources of plant-based protein.

Split Peas offer around 3% more protein than chickpea flour.

Split Peas have 23.1 grams of protein per 100 grams, while chickpea flour has 22.4 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Chickpea Flour vs Split Peas Carbs

Counting carbs can be important for some people for different reasons, including blood sugar control, weight management, or athletic performance.

It’s also important for people on a keto diet, so let’s compare the carbs content in chickpea flour and split peas.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 6% higher in split peas than in chickpea flour. They have 61.6 grams per 100 grams, compared to 57.8 grams in chickpea flour.

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There’s less sugar in split peas than in chickpea flour, 70% precisely.

One handful of split peas (28 grams) contains 0.9 grams of sugar, while the same amount of chickpea flour contains 3 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in chickpea flour and split peas.

Dietary fiber keeps the digestive system healthy and helps with weight management by promoting a sense of fullness.

With 6.2 grams of fiber per portion, split peas are a better source of fiber than chickpea flour which offer 3 grams per portion.

Chickpea Flour vs Split Peas Fats

Like most other legumes, with the exception of lupins and peanuts, chickpea flour and split peas are low in fat.

Fats in chickpea flour and split peas are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in chickpea flour and split peas:

• Chickpea Flour: 6.7 grams per 100 grams
• Split Peas: 3.9 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, split peas are 43% lower in saturated fats.

Split Peas and chickpea flour contain 0.4 grams and 0.7 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Chickpea Flour vs Split Peas Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of chickpea flour and split peas.

Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning we need only a small amount. However, they are very important for many processes in our bodies.

Chickpea Flour has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and vitamin K.

However, split peas have a higher amount of vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin E.

Chickpea Flour and split peas contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins chickpea flour and split peas contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Chickpea Flour vs Split Peas Minerals Content

Minerals are important for our body to function properly. We need only a small amount of minerals, so they are called micronutrients.

Some minerals, like iron, calcium, zinc or, iodine, are relatively hard to get on a plant-based diet, so it’s important to choose your foods thoughtfully. This part of the chickpea flour and split peas comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Chickpea Flour is a better source of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and zinc than split peas.

On the other hand, split peas are a higher amount of copper, fluoride, iron, magnesium, manganese, and sodium.

Check out the table below to learn how chickpea flour and split peas compare when it comes to mineral content.

The Final Word

Chickpea Flour and split peas are highly nutritious and a great addition to a plant-based diet.

Both chickpea flour and split peas are high in specific vitamins and minerals, and including them in your diet will give you the most benefits they offer.

Antioxidants found in beans and legumes can help to protect cells from damage and may reduce the risk of certain diseases and the effects of aging.

Additionally, the fiber and other nutrients in these foods can support the health of the digestive system and may even help to prevent certain digestive cancers.

Legumes are versatile food that can be incorporated into any meal of the day, including breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They can be served hot or cold, making them a convenient and tasty addition to a variety of dishes.