Chickpea Couscous for your extraordinary dinner!

More and more people these days are experiencing the need to turn to gluten-free foods. Whether it is because of a pre-existing medical condition, food intolerances or for dieting reasons – there is a growing trend towards organic, gluten-free foods. Individuals with have celiac disease require a gluten-free diet for health reasons. Ingestion of gluten in these individuals causes an adverse reaction which damages intestinal cells and can lead to serious health problems.

Gluten sensitivity and specific diet

People who experience an adverse reaction to gluten but who do not have celiac disease may have non-celiac gluten sensitivity (also called “gluten sensitivity”). In this condition the problems caused by gluten are not thought to be as extensive as in celiac disease, but for both conditions the treatment is a gluten-free diet.

But how do you stay on such a specific diet and still get all the nutrients your body needs to function properly?

Fortunately, modern production and agriculture have allowed for a variety of gluten-free alternatives to popular foods like pasta and couscous. Martino’s Al Naturale Specialties is a line specifically developed for those who can’t eat the regular variety of durum wheat couscous. Instead, we offer a selection of corn, chickpea or rice couscous, 100% organically-cultivated, highly digestible and low-fat. Specifically thought for people with gluten intolerance, yet perfect if you are looking for a light change in your everyday life.

Do you really have to avoid your favourite food? Try chickpea Couscous instead!

One of the most difficult things on a gluten-free diet is to avoid all the comfort foods we all love so much – pasta, couscous. Not to mention, how limited your meal options are. And, on top of that, some people have additional intolerances or allergies to corn or rice as well. But Martino’s chickpea couscous is a suitable alternative to rice and pasta. It is made from chickpeas and is gluten-free while still retaining our signature Italian taste.

Cooking Martino’s Al Naturale chickpea couscous is just as easy as normal couscous. Just add equal parts chickpea couscous and boiling water and allow it the water to be absorbed before fluffing up with a fork. The texture and consistency is right on par too.

The aroma slightly differs to wheat couscous, but it isn’t particularly noticeable and once you add a main, some herbs or spices you can’t even tell the difference (apart from the colour). It is fairly brownish compared to wheat couscous, but don’t let that put you off giving it a shot. Just imagine it’s been infused with saffron or something!

We are sure you will fall in love with Martino’s organic chickpea couscous from the first bite – the flavour is mild, the texture is spot on and you can cook it in a few minutes by adding boiling water – just like the ‘normal’ version. Anyone with celiac disease or following a gluten free diet is wise to try it out, especially if they liked eating couscous before being diagnosed.

What is gluten-free couscous?

Gluten refers to the proteins found in wheat, rye and barley which cause an adverse reaction in people with gluten-related disorders. On a gluten-free diet, these grains and any foods or ingredients derived from them must be removed from the diet and instead you can opt for corn or chickpea couscous. Martino’s Al Naturale Specialties is a line specifically developed for those who can’t eat the regular variety of durum wheat couscous. Instead, we offer a selection of corn, chickpea or rice couscous, 100% organically-cultivated, highly digestible and low-fat.

Going for Martino’s gluten-free chickpea couscous is healthier for people with gluten-related disorders (celiac disease or gluten sensitivity). This makes it easier to follow as it doesn’t take any special skills to prepare it – just follow the instructions and you’ll have a delicious and filling meal in no time.

Health benefits of chickpea couscous

Originally cultivated in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, have spread their culinary influence across the world. They also come with a range of potential health benefits. Martino’s Al Naturale organic chickpea couscous is 100% organically-cultivated, highly digestible and low-fat. Specifically thought for people with gluten intolerance.

There are many health benefits in substituting regular couscous for chickpea couscous as chickpeas are particularly high in fiber. Studies have shown that people with type 1 diabetes who consume high-fiber diets have lower blood glucose levels.

Chickpeas are particularly high in fiber. Studies have shown that people with type 1 diabetes who consume high-fiber diets have lower blood glucose levels. Adequate vitamin K consumption is important for good bone health because it improves calcium absorption and may reduce urinary excretion of calcium, making sure that enough calcium is available for building and repairing bone. Low intake of vitamin K is associated with a higher risk for bone fracture.

Chickpeas also contain folate, which plays a role in DNA synthesis and repair, and so helps prevent the formation of cancer cells from mutations in the DNA. Saponins, phytochemicals present in chickpeas, prevent cancer cells from multiplying and spreading throughout the body.

Research shows that including chickpea couscous in your diet lowers the amount of low-density lipoprotein, or bad cholesterol, in the blood. The choline in chickpeas helps with sleep, muscle movement, learning, and memory. Choline also helps to maintain the structure of cellular membranes, aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, assists in the absorption of fat and reduces chronic inflammation.

Although chickpea couscous does not ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, it can be helpful to people affected by the condition.

So you see how many benefits there are to simply switching from the regular durum wheat couscous to the chickpea couscous variety.

Let us know how Martino’s Al Naturale chickpea couscous has helped you maintain a healthy, gluten-free lifestyle.