65. PEAS

                                                           PEAS

Nutrition in 100 gm
Energy: 80 kcal
Carbohydrates	14.5 gm
Sugar	5.7
Dietary Fibre	5.1 gm
Fat	0.4 gm
Proteins	5.4 gm
Vit.A equ. Beta-carotene	38 µ gm 449 µ gm
Vit B1 (Thiamin)	0.3 mg
Vit B2 (Riboflavin)	0.1 mg
Vit B3 (Niacin)	2.1 mg
Patothenic acid (B5)	0.1 mg
Vit. B 6	0.2 mg
Vit. B 9 (Folate)	65 µ gm
Vitamin C	40 mg
Iron	1.5 mg
Calcium	25 mg
Magnesium	33 mg
Phosphorus	108 mg
Potassium	244 mg
Zinc	1.2 mg

Fresh peas taste very sweet. They are very rich in proteins and carbohydrates.  Peas are also eaten cooked for they look beautiful when added to rice dishes, porridge and curry. They are also stir-fried. Dry peas is roasted and salted to make a tasty snack. Peas have to be used immediately since they get spoilt if not dried or frozen. Leaves are also edible.

Sodium bicarbonate is added to make the peas soft. Processes peas are mature peas which have been dried, soaked and then heat treated to prevent getting spoilt.

There are many varieties of peas like Mangetouts, Petis pois, Snow peas, Sugar peas and Sugar snaps.

Benefits:

1. Peas are high in phytoestrogen. They act like weak estrogens. When consumed they decrease the level of estrogens circulating in the body. Hence peas reduce the risk of breast cancer in women who have high level of estrogens.

Danger:  Peas can sometimes trigger allergic reactions causing hives, swelling of lips, eyes and upset stomach.