For lunch at uni, first choose a chickpea format that suits whether you can eat your meal cold or heat it up. Then compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and the ingredients list: a claim such as ‘reduced sugar’ isn’t enough to make your choice. Ready-cooked plain chickpeas can be used in a cold meal, while frozen chickpeas need to be kept cold and reheated. A seasoned recipe may contain added ingredients, including sugar.
If you’re planning a cold meal, check whether the chickpeas are already cooked and whether the pack size suits the portion you want. If you’d like to keep any leftovers, also check the storage instructions after opening.
If you want to choose your own seasoning, compare the ingredients in plain chickpeas with those in prepared recipes. The Céréal Bio recipe described by Carrefour contains oil, spices and cane sugar, among other ingredients.
A large bag to keep at home could be a good option if you portion out your meals before you leave, rather than looking for a serving to use straight away between classes.
Start by working out whether you’ll be able to eat the chickpeas cold or heat them up. Then check the ingredients and how much you’ll need to prepare for your meals.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience of the format | Check whether the chickpeas are already cooked and whether the format needs to be kept cold or reheated. | If I’m eating between classes without access to a kitchen, I look for ready-cooked chickpeas that I can eat cold. Around 42% of shoppers would prioritise this convenience above all else. |
| Sugars and ingredients | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figures per 100 g on the labels and read the ingredients in seasoned recipes. | When I prefer to season my own meal, I want to tell the difference between a plain recipe and a mix with added ingredients; around 33% of shoppers would put this check first. |
| Preparing portions | Check the pack size and plan when you’ll portion it out before you leave. | If I’m preparing several lunches at home, I look for a format I can portion out in advance. Preparing several portions would be a priority for around 25% of shoppers. |
The Céréal Bio recipe featured by Carrefour contains sunflower oil, cane sugar, celery and mustard, among other ingredients. Its ingredients list is therefore different from that of a plain version made with chickpeas, water and salt.
If added ingredients matter to your choice, read the ingredients and allergen information for the specific recipe before choosing it.
The product pages published by Auchan for AUCHAN and d'aucy products recommend refrigerating them and using them within two days of opening.
Choose a quantity that suits your meal, or plan another way to use the opened chickpeas within the time stated on the packaging.
AUCHAN’s ready-cooked frozen chickpeas need to be kept cold and reheated. Auchan’s product page also says not to refreeze the product once it has thawed.
Choose this format for days when you can meet these requirements before and during lunch.
AUCHAN offers, among other options, canned chickpeas in 3 × 125 g packs and 600 g packs of ready-cooked frozen chickpeas. These are two formats to consider depending on how you prepare lunch.
The d'aucy product featured by Auchan consists of two 130 g tins of steamed chickpeas.
Céréal Bio offers a 200 g pouch of chickpeas with cumin and curry, which is different from plain chickpeas.
No: compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and the ingredients list for the specific product. The DGCCRF notes that nutrition claims are governed by Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006; a claim like this is no substitute for reading the label.
Refrigerate them and follow the time limit given for the product you’ve bought. The product pages published by Auchan for the AUCHAN and d'aucy products featured here advise storing them in a suitable container and using them within two days of opening.
Yes, if you can keep them cold before your meal and reheat them on site. For its ready-cooked product, Auchan also advises against refreezing it after thawing.