If you are looking to add protein to your diet without missing out on fiber, look at dals and chanas with skin.
Let me explain.
If you did not know, animal protein (dairy, eggs, meat & seafood) has almost no fiber.
So if you are thinking of bulking up (no pun intended!) on protein, think differently.
Please note: if you are one of those, who are doubling down on protein powders and/or fiber powder, this piece is not for you!
As is common knowledge now, fiber is one of those critical macros (macro-nutrients).
It is classified as a carb, but it is used very differently by the human body.
It does not convert to energy like other carbohydrates do.
But it adds roughage.
Helps bowel movement. Avoids constipation, which increasingly many of us suffer from nowadays, thanks to all the highly processed or ultra-processed food we eat.
Fiber also helps quicker satiety. Meaning it keeps us full longer.
It takes time to digest, hangs around longer in our digestive system, allowing a slower release of sugar from the grain it covers.
But fiber has an even more important role.
It adds microbial content to our gut, thereby improving our gut health.
Remember the gut is our second brain.
So if you are smart (or brainy!), you will bulk up on fiber too.
Turns out that our gut loves microbial diversity.
Where does that come from?
From diverse whole food grains. Grains where the bran or the skin has not been completely polished away.
That brings me to pulses. Call it by its various names - Dals, lentils, grams, beans.
21 of them infact in our pantry here in Bio Basics.
All with skin, all organic, all a natural combination of protein AND fiber you need.
Why 21?
So, none of us have to eat the same pulses more often that we need to.
And we can enjoy the diversity of Nature, and the variety of dishes each of the pulses can bring to our tables.
That is what diverse organic whole foods are all about!
