Cookies, cake, and sugar-laden desserts tend to get a bad rap when it comes to gut health. And it’s no mystery as to why: Consuming excess sugar can mess with your gut , disrupting the delicate balance in our gut microbiome, which may promote the growth of certain types of “bad” bacteria.
Although most health experts recommend keeping sugar—particularly refined sugar —intake to a minimum, this doesn’t mean that sweets are entirely off the table. Moderation is key, folks. On that note, Janese Laster, MD , a Washington-based, board-certified gastroenterologist, recently shared with Well+Good her go-to gastro-approved cookie recipe she makes regularly (and to stay regular, if you know what we mean). Janese Laster, MD , Washington-based, board-certified gastroenterologist
Natalie Stronczek, RD , registered dietitian
A few perks of Dr. Laster’s easy chocolate chip cookie recipe we’re obsessed with: It keeps the sugar levels to a minimum while offering other gut-boosting ingredients such as chickpeas and almond butter. Plus, thanks to the chickpeas, the recipe boasts tons of fiber and protein. And it’s vegan-friendly, too!
Learn how to make a batch of these fiber-and protein-rich cookies and why they’re so good (and good for you, too), ahead. What are the benefits of these gut-friendly chickpea cookies?
The star of this simple chocolate chip cookie recipe is, without a doubt, the chickpeas, thanks to its abundance of gut-friendly fiber . For context, one cup of these cream-colored legumes contains 12.5 grams of fiber ; that’s nearly 50 percent of your daily intake . "In addition to having a creamy, mild taste and texture perfect for cooking or baking, chickpeas are so supportive for your gut, containing both soluble fiber—a prebiotic that feeds the beneficial bacteria in the microbiome, and insoluble fiber, which simply keeps things moving," says Natalie Stronczek , RD, a registered dietitian on behalf of USA Pulses .
The even better news? A batch of these cookies features a whole entire can of chickpeas.
Plus, fiber isn’t just a gut health rockstar, there are tons of additional benefits of this nutrient that tend to go under the radar. For […]
This 8-Ingredient Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Is a Gastro’s Favorite Gut-Healthy Dessert
