We have peas! Our second harvest of the season is here. It's so wonderful to see these bright green pods hanging of their intricately coiled vines and camouflaged within the leaves. You have to look closely to find them.
Peas - (a legume) contain resistant starch which feed the hungry microbes in our gut. They are nutrient dense and I love this particular variety as they are so versatile. They can be added to stir fries, stews, pastas and fried rice. A good source of vitamins A, B, C, E and Zinc, phytonutrients, minerals, and antioxidants that help strengthen your immune system.
Peas are high in prebiotic fiber, especially galactooligosccharide (GOS) — a compound that assists in supporting the immune system which supplies nutrients to the bugs in our colon like bifidobacterium and lactobacillus.
High fiber foods are always a great choice as they predominantly help keep your digestive system regular along with regulating blood sugar levels. Along with their higher fiber content, green peas are one of the better sources of plant-based protein which help you stay full longer. Although not a complete source of protein for vegetarians - peas are lacking in an amino acid called methionine. Methionine can be compensated for by including other sources of methionine-abundant foods, like beans and brown rice to your meals.