As we try to work out what social distancing will mean over the next few months, and possibly look forward to when we’ll be able to go back to the gym or local swimming pool, many of us are thinking about how we can change our eating habits to stay that little bit healthier, and maybe even boost our immune system.
The trouble is most of us tend to like what we like to eat already. Even though we know what would be better for us, the benefits of different plant-based diets from vegan, through vegetarian to flexitarian, were making headway in the media long before the lockdown. For many of us, a major overhaul of our diet might be more daunting than tempting.
Enter a fun, plant-based start-up.
The Lupin Company is on a mission to help all of us with the holy grail of pulses - this new superfood is transforming diets in the UK. Introducing - TLC Lupin Protein Flakes.
Here is an ingredient that is genuinely nutritious and versatile to use too - even combined with most of the foods you already love to eat. The Lupin Company believes there are many reasons why their lupin protein flakes deserve a top spot in everyone’s food cupboard – here are just 10 of them:
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They taste great!
You can add them to pretty much any of your favourite recipes. They don’t even need cooking – think to add raw to salads or smoothies. Or, hydrate in just 3 minutes as a quinoa substitute with a bags more protein. They can also be toasted as a topping, added neat to casseroles or used as a gluten-free alternative to pasta.
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Lupin is the true King of pulses
Edible lupins are nothing new - they have been used for food for over 2000 years. However, TLC Lupin Protein Flakes are made from non-GMO Australian Sweet Lupin - a more recent innovation. 100% natural, lupin flakes are the world’s richest natural source of combined protein and fibre, with 40% protein and 37% fibre. Despite this, they only have 4% carbohydrates. Recognised by The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation as one of 11 types of highly nutritious pulses, they are also packed with potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and antioxidants. There’s nothing quite like them with three times more protein than quinoa, treble the dietary fibre than in oats, way more potassium than bananas and iron than kale - and even double the magnesium than in spinach!
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Superfood redefined
The ‘superfood’ label has to be earned, and we believe that no food deserves it more than the mighty lupin. They have excellent nutritional properties, one of the highest protein levels among legumes and are super versatile in the kitchen. According to some research, lupin may even play a role in helping the immune system and keeping our bodies healthier as part of a balanced diet.
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Keep you fuller for longer
Because these mighty golden flakes are uniquely high in protein as well as fibre, they can help people to feel fuller for longer and reduce those naughty cravings. Clinical studies have shown that adding lupin to other foods increases satiety (the feeling of fullness) and lowers the body’s total energy intake throughout the day. This is good news for anyone trying to lose weight.
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A great plant-based protein
Uniquely rich in 100% natural plant protein, with one of the highest levels amongst legumes (40g of protein per 100g), the protein in lupin flakes has also been found to have excellent digestibility. It even comes with all nine essential amino acids: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine. Even legumes such as lentils and chickpeas, so frequently mentioned as indispensable plant-based protein superfoods, are no match for lupin’s credentials.
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A great source of fibre
Most of us don’t get enough fibre in our diets. A 40g portion of TLC Lupin Protein Flakes contains almost 15g of dietary fibre – half of the recommended daily requirement, and easily enough to top up the daily intake to the required level.
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Keep your gut happy
One way of increasing the number of good bacteria in the gut is by eating foods that are high in dietary fibre, especially prebiotic fibres. Sweet Australian Lupin contains oligosaccharides which promote the growth of friendly bifidobacteria in the intestines. Nearly 1/3 of the fibre in sweet lupin is prebiotic – 9g per portion. Some health benefits attributed to prebiotic fibre intake include stimulation of gut flora, improved mineral absorption, stabilisation of blood glucose and insulin levels, protection against intestinal infections and alterations in the progress of some inflammatory conditions.
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Low in carbohydrates
Lupin flakes are super-low in carbohydrates – only 4g per 100g. In contrast, chickpeas contain 52g, quinoa 64g and white wheat flour has a whopping 65g. The carbohydrate in TLC Lupin Protein Flakes is also low GI (Glycaemic Index) - in fact, they have the lowest GI of any commonly consumed grain or legume. Lupin flakes can readily replace up to 50% of other flours in many recipes. For baking bread, up to 20% of the wheat flour can be substituted with lupin – the resulting delicious loaves will have 60% more protein and three times the fibre than if wheat flour alone were used. And it will taste delicious too.
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Super-versatile ingredient
As well as being nutritious, lupin flakes make a super versatile core ingredient. They can literally be used in almost anything you want to add a protein boost to – and will add healthy fibre too. Whether it’s, salads, soups, protein shakes and smoothies, cereals, bread or baked goods, the possibilities are endless.
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Coeliac friendly and naturally vegan
Because lupin flakes are naturally plant-based, they are suited to many diets: coeliac, vegan, vegetarian, keto, flexitarian, pescatarian, low-carb and high protein for fitness fans. Lupin flakes can also be used as a gluten-free grain alternative to couscous or pasta.
A bit of background…
If you have visited Spain, Italy or Portugal, you may be familiar with the Lupini Beans that are eaten as a snack. These are closely related to sweet lupin but require soaking in salt water and then boiling to remove their bitter taste before they are eaten. The upshot - the products are full of salt, and salt is no good for anyone.
The Lupin Company exclusively stocks TLC Lupin Protein Flakes - made from 100% natural Sweet Australian Lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) – a very low-alkaloid variety that does not require any ‘debittering’. These lupin flakes are so safe they can even be consumed raw, straight out of the pack! There are plenty of recipes on our website too. Let us know what you think and tag us - #loopyforlupin.
