What are sugar snap peas good for

What are sugar snap peas good for

SELECTION | STORAGE | NUTRITION | IDEAS | RECIPES | HANDOUTS

Snap peas are also called sugar peas or sugar snap peas. This vegetable grows in cooler seasons. Snap peas, among other types of peas grow on vines.

HOW DO I MAKE A GOOD SELECTION?

Choose snap peas that are a bright green color all around the outer shell. The pea pods should be firm and free from blemishes.

WHAT IS THE PROPER STORAGE?

Snap peas can be stored in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Wash the peas under cool running water when ready to eat.

WHY SHOULD I EAT THIS?

Snap peas are a good source of Vitamin C which helps with immune function and helps heal cuts and wounds. Snap peas also contain iron which helps produce red blood cells. Vitamin K is also in snap peas, which helps with blood clotting and bone health.

HOW COULD I USE THIS?

  • Eat snap peas raw with a dip or hummus
  • Try adding cut up snap peas to your soup
  • You can easily add snap peas to a stir-fry
  • Top your side salad with fresh snap peas
  • Snap peas can be cut and added to a side dish like a cold pasta salad
  • Steam snap peas and season them to eat as a side dish

Source:

  • Fruit and Veggie Fact Sheets, UNL Nutrition Education Program
  • Seasonal Produce Guide - Peas, SNAP-Ed Connection

A mix between a snow pea and a garden pea, sugar snap peas are part of the health-giving legume family, along with green peas, chickpeas and lentils. Here are four reasons to eat more of them.

1. Immune support

Sugar snap peas are a good source of vitamin C, which is essential for strong immunity.

2. Healthy blood clotting

They also provide vitamin K, which plays an important role in blood clotting.

3. Good for your gut

With 2.8 grams of fibre per 100g, a handful of sugar snap peas thrown into a salad or stir-fry supports a healthy digestive system.

4. Culinary creations

Their sweet, yet mild flavour makes them a versatile kitchen staple — perfect for side dishes, stir-fries and salads. And your kids will love them, too!

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Sugar snap peas are a great source of fibre and make a fast, delicious snack. Our recipe for sesame snap-pea stir fry is quick and easy to prepare.

What are sugar snap peas good for

Julie Daniluk

Early in May, my husband goes to work planting peas in a recycled claw foot bathtub in our urban oasis. I get so excited to join him for the first harvest in June. Growing food in your backyard has no better pay off than the first taste of peas snapped fresh from the vine. It’s amazing that something so sweet only has 14 little calories (for 10 snap peas)!

Peas are a perfect portable snack packed with manganese, vitamin C and folate. I think the snap pea is the ultimate variety as it has all the juiciness of garden variety peas and the soft shell of the snow pea. The good news is that this means less work for you because you don’t have to shuck them, and more beneficial fibre from eating the pod.

Five reasons snap peas are a great snack:
1. They can boost your immunity: These peas are high in beta carotene and vitamin A. Retinol, which is a derivative of vitamin A, plays a pivotal role in the development of our immune cells, which fight off foreign invaders and keeps us healthy.

2. Peas are good for your bones: Sugar snap peas are a great source of vitamin K, which has been shown to not only aid in the creation of new bone cells, but also helps prevent fractures and even some forms of bone cancer.

3. They’re the ultimate guilt-free sweet snack: Sugar snap peas have a glycemic index of five, which means that they won’t send your blood sugar on a roller coaster ride and can aid in the prevention of diabetes. Low-glycemic diets also help decrease fat stores and discourage insulin resistance, so you can shed pounds while still satisfying your sweet tooth.

4. Snap peas help prevent fatigue: Sugar snap peas contain 18 percent of the daily recommended intake of dietary iron in one cup. Iron has been shown to reduce female fatigue, even in non-iron deficient women.

5. Up your daily fibre intake: Snap peas contain 4.5g of dietary fibre and 5g of protein per cup. A plant-based diet high in protein and fibre is the perfect recipe for a balanced weight-loss regime with long-lasting results. Snap peas can also be combined with lima beans to create a complete amino acid profile.

Sesame snap peas stir-fry

Ingredients:
4 cups (750ml) snap peas
2 tsp (10ml) olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp (5ml) ginger root, minced
2 tbsp (30ml) water
1/2 tsp (2ml) sesame oil, toasted
1/4 tsp (1ml) sea salt
1 tbsp sesame seeds, black and/or white

Directions:
1.   Trim the tip of each sugar snap pea.  Set aside.

2.   In large skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat; sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant, about one minute.

3.   Add peas and water. Cover and steam until tender-crisp, about three minutes.

4.   Garnish with a drizzle of sesame oil, sea salt and sesame seeds.
Makes four servings

Nutritionist Julie Daniluk hosts Healthy Gourmet, a reality cooking show that looks at the ongoing battle between taste and nutrition. Her soon-to-be-published first book, Meals That Heal Inflammation, advises on allergy-free foods that both taste great and assist the body in the healing process.

For more amazing recipes visit Chatelaine.com’s recipe section. 

FILED UNDER: peas

Are sugar snap peas a healthy snack?

Sugar snap peas are a healthy source of complex carbohydrates, offering fiber and protein. They are a nutritious low-calorie source of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, iron, and potassium.

Is it OK to eat sugar snap peas raw?

Sugar snap peas are also known as snap peas, and are pod fruits. Both the peas and the pod are edible and they don't need to be cooked.

Are sugar snap peas anti inflammatory?

Sugarsnap peas have a low Glycemic Index and as a food that is mildly anti-inflammatory, they are a good choice for those following an Anti-Inflammatory Diet. One cup of raw sugarsnap peas is just 41 calories.

Are snap peas good for weight loss?

If you are trying to lose weight or maintain your current weight, sweet, crunchy sugar snap peas could be just the thing you are looking for. For a one cup serving they are only 35 calories, yet pack in 2 grams of protein, and no fat. They also contain 3 grams of natural sugar and 2 grams of fiber.