Anyone keeping an eye on fat
If you’re making a salad or choosing a side, you may want to compare plain chickpeas and check the fat content of any sauce or preparation separately.
Who are these criteria useful for?
Anyone who checks sugar claims
You want to distinguish the amount of sugar shown in the nutrition information from the comparative ‘reduced sugar’ claim.
Anyone choosing between dried and ready-to-use
You’re weighing up the soaking and cooking time needed for dried chickpeas against the convenience of a tinned or vacuum-packed product.
What should you compare before buying?
First, choose a format that suits the time you have for preparation. Then compare the ingredients and nutrition information for products in the same state. Chickpea-based preparations should be assessed separately from plain chickpeas.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Fat | Compare the fat per 100 g and look for oils or sauces in the ingredients list. | When making a salad, I want to distinguish plain chickpeas from ingredients added to the recipe; around 44% of consumers would put fat at the top of their list of concerns. |
| Sugars and claims | Check the ‘of which sugars’ line per 100 g and find out what any ‘reduced sugar’ claim is comparing. | If I see ‘reduced sugar’, I want to understand the claim without confusing it with the amount shown on the label; around 33% of consumers would consider this their main concern. |
| Format and preparation | Check whether the product is dried, tinned or vacuum-packed, along with the drained weight and preparation instructions. | When I need to cook quickly, the time needed to prepare dried chickpeas can affect my choice; around 23% of consumers would prioritise format and convenience. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming ‘reduced sugar’ means ‘low fat’
Sugars and fat appear on separate lines in the nutrition information. According to the DGCCRF, ‘reduced sugar’ is a regulated nutrition claim; it doesn’t describe the amount of fat.
For the product you’re considering, check the ‘fat’, ‘of which saturates’ and ‘of which sugars’ lines separately, then read the ingredients list.
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Comparing dried chickpeas with drained chickpeas
A value per 100 g of dried chickpeas and one per 100 g of drained chickpeas don’t describe the product in the same state. Carrefour’s listing for a dried product also recommends soaking it for 8 to 12 hours before cooking.
Check which state the values refer to before comparing two formats, and take the preparation instructions into account.
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Assuming all recipes have the same ingredients as plain tinned chickpeas
The plain chickpea products listed by Auchan, Monoprix and E.Leclerc mainly contain chickpeas, water and salt. Check the label of any chickpea-based preparation or sauce separately.
Check the ingredients and nutrition information for the specific recipe you plan to buy.
Chickpea brands to know
Auchan
The brand offers plain chickpeas in a 3 × 125 g pack, among other options.
- Auchan’s listing for this format states that it contains 2.2 g of fat and 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g.
- Auchan notes that ingredients and product details may vary by online grocery service and purchase date, so check the label of the product you choose.
Monoprix
One 530 g ready-to-use chickpea product contains chickpeas, water and salt.
- Monoprix’s listing states that this product contains 1.5 g of fat and 0.4 g of salt per 100 g.
- Check the listing for the format you’re actually choosing: these values don’t apply to every product from the brand.
NOTRE JARDIN
This E.Leclerc brand offers a 265 g tin of plain chickpeas, among other products.
- E.Leclerc’s listing states that this product contains 2.5 g of fat, 0.7 g of sugars and 0.7 g of salt per 100 g.
- Check availability with your local E.Leclerc store.
d’aucy
The brand offers steam-cooked chickpeas in a 2 × 130 g pack, among other options.
- Auchan’s listing for this product states that it contains chickpeas, water and salt, as well as 2.1 g of fat and 0.6 g of sugars per 100 g.
- These details apply to the format listed, not to every d’aucy product.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does a low sugar content mean ‘reduced sugar’?
No. ‘Of which sugars’ gives a nutrition value, while ‘reduced sugar’ is a comparative claim regulated by European rules on nutrition and health claims. Check the wording of the claim and the comparison details provided for the product.
What should I check on a tin of chickpeas if I’m keeping an eye on fat?
Compare the fat and saturates per 100 g, then check the ingredients list on the tin you’ve chosen. Listings for plain chickpea products from Auchan, Monoprix and E.Leclerc show different values depending on the product; they don’t set a nutrition threshold that applies to all tins.
How should I store chickpeas after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you’ve bought. For the Auchan and d’aucy products described here, the guidance provided recommends transferring the chickpeas to a suitable airtight container and keeping them in the fridge after opening.
Can you compare dried and tinned chickpeas directly?
Not if their nutrition values refer to different states, such as dried and drained chickpeas. Check the basis given on each pack. If you choose dried chickpeas, also allow time for the soaking and cooking specified for the product you’ve bought.