How is bean pasta so protein-rich?

How is bean pasta so protein-rich? - Pasta and Beans in a Glass Container With Cork Lids

I've seen a number of bean pastas that have pretty close to a 1:1 protein/carb ratio. For example, this black bean pasta has 23g carbs and 25g protein per serving. On their own, black beans have a much lower protein/carb ratio (less than 1:2). Considering black beans are the only ingredient in the pasta, what accounts for the nutritional difference?



Best Answer

I can see three possibilities, though I don't know which is the actual case.

First, it is simply possible that the beans they source are, for some reason, very high in protein. The general nutrition numbers are averages, and can cover some pretty broad ranges - a potentially significant difference might come from testing specific batch of organic black beans from whatever farming processes versus the generic averages of all black beans.

Second, it is possible that the processing of the beans into pasta does remove some of the carbs, for whatever reason - perhaps starches that get left behind in processing (in soaking water?), or the starches and proteins separated and recombined in different, predictable, ratios (possibly to account for the potential variability of bean batches). Something similar is done with chocolate, the single ingredient is separated into constituent parts and recombined in predictable ratios, for a better and more consistent end product.

Third, it is possible that the ratio of carbs to proteins actually changes during the processing. I'm thinking of gluten formation, specifically, where the gluten protein that is formed in the working the (wheat) dough wasn't there in the plain flour - and making something like seitan from it, which is very high in protein, by developing the protein already present and washing away excess starches. I'm not sure of the actual chemistry behind black bean pasta, but it may develop some protein, something, in the processing that wasn't there before, which might perhaps alter the ratios in the bean pasta as opposed to the simply cooked beans.




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How is bean pasta so protein-rich? - Pasta on White Plate on Focus Photo
How is bean pasta so protein-rich? - Top view of delicious fried eggs and vegetables with sausages and beans on wooden tray with fork and knife
How is bean pasta so protein-rich? - Coffee Beans and Food in Glass Jars on Kitchen Counter



Quick Answer about "How is bean pasta so protein-rich?"

Bean-based pastas have the most fiber Dried pastas made from chickpeas, lentils or black beans have more protein and fiber than regular pasta. That's because this type of pasta is made from beans.

Which pasta is rich in protein?

Possibly the most popular high protein pasta is Banza, which is made with chickpeas, tapioca, pea protein, and xanthan gum. Banza is available in a variety of shapes and styles for every pasta eater. With an impressive 25 grams of protein per 3.5-ounce serving, Banza is a great alternative to traditional pasta.

Are beans pasta healthy?

But on non-training days or as a recovery meal, bean-based pastas can be a good option since they offer more vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber than white pasta. And they can be especially helpful for folks who struggle to meet their iron needs, such as vegetarians or vegans.

Is eating bean pasta the same as eating beans?

Unless we can find companies who are soaking or sprouting beans first, then making them into pasta, we're essentially eating nothing more than improperly prepared dried beans when we eat bean- and legume-based pasta.

How is bean pasta made?

Black bean pasta is made from dried black beans that have been ground into flour. Much like other types of bean pastas, black bean pasta is made by grinding dried black beans into a fine powder and combining it with a thickening agent of some kind.



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