High in Many Nutrients and Antioxidants
Green peas have an excellent nutritional profile. They have minimal calorie content, with only 62 calories per 1/2-cup (170-gram) portion. About 70% of the calories come from carbohydrates, with the remainder coming from protein and a minor bit of fat. Furthermore, peas include nearly every vitamin and mineral you require, as well as a considerable quantity of fiber. A 1/2-cup (170-gram) serving of peas provides the following nutrients:
- Calories: 62
- Carbs: 11 grams
- Fiber: 4 grams
- Protein: 4 grams
- Vitamin A: 34% of the RDI
- Vitamin K: 24% of the RDI
- Vitamin C: 13% of the RDI
- Thiamine: 15% of the RDI
- Folate: 12% of the RDI
- Manganese: 11% of the RDI
- Iron: 7% of the RDI
- Phosphorus: 6% of the RDI
Peas are distinguished from other vegetables by their high protein content. A 1/2 cup (170 grams) of cooked carrots, for example, has just 1 gram of protein, but 1/2 cup (170 grams) of peas provides four times that much. They are also high in polyphenol antioxidants, which are thought to be the source of many of its health advantages.
