Peas are not only delicious, but also very healthy. You can read here what nutritional values they contain, whether you can eat them raw and what you can prepare from them.
The pea belongs to the legume family and is one of the oldest cultivated plants. It probably originally comes from the Orient and was consumed there long before the beginning of our era. In the following you will find out what makes the pea so healthy and nutritious and what you can prepare from it.
Peas: Healthy legumes with valuable nutrients
When looking at the nutrients of the small green legume, it performs extremely well. 100 grams of peas contain only 81 calories and only traces of fat, making them very suitable for healthy weight loss. Furthermore, there are seven grams of protein, four grams of fiber and eleven grams of carbohydrates in 100 grams of peas.
Peas also contain many vitamins and minerals. These include, for example, vitamin E, B and beta-carotene as well as magnesium, iron, phosphorus, calcium and zinc. Legumes also contain a number of important amino acids.
By the way: The pea not only provides very good macro and micronutrients, but is also easy to digest and has a positive effect on the blood sugar level. It is therefore well suited for diabetes or high blood sugar levels.
Peas: fresh, dried, frozen or canned?
Although peas are basically very healthy, they differ in their nutritional values depending on their condition. You can buy them fresh, dried, frozen, or canned.
Peas are in season from June to September. During this time you can buy them fresh. If you decide to use fresh peas, you should use them as soon as possible, as they will keep in the refrigerator for a maximum of two to three days. When shopping, also keep in mind that from a kilogram of fresh peas in pods, only about 350 grams of peas are left. Tip: If you have bought too many peas, fresh peas are ideal for freezing. These have a shelf life of about a year.
When it comes to shelf life, dried peas are unbeatable. These have a shelf life of one year or longer and are also available all year round. They also contain almost twice as much protein as fresh peas.
Canned peas have a shelf life of three to five years. Compared to fresh, dried and frozen peas, however, they are the least recommended, as they are heated before filling and thereby lose many valuable ingredients. In addition, manufacturers often add salt, sugar and flavorings to the canned peas.
Frozen peas are shock-frozen before they are packed, which means they retain a large part of their nutrients. They also have a long shelf life, are easy to store and are therefore a good alternative to fresh peas if you also want to use them out of season.
By the way: You can also eat peas raw without any problems. They contain no toxins and can be eaten practically straight from the bush.
