According to the North Ottawa Wellness Foundation, a ½ cup of cooked green peas contains 4.4 total grams of fiber. While there are different kinds of fiber, the main two categories are soluble and insoluble fiber, both of which can be found in green peas. Harvard Health Publishing explains that both kinds of fiber can benefit our gastrointestinal tract. Soluble fiber gets converted into a gel substance as it absorbs water from our food, which slows down the body’s digestion process. Meanwhile, insoluble fiber bulks up stool, and accelerates the speed at which food travels through the gut, potentially benefiting those with constipation. In a half-cup of cooked green peas, you’ll find 3.2 grams of soluble fiber and 1.2 grams of insoluble fiber.
Peas, beans, and lentils are all considered legumes. If you’re struggling with constipation and interested in increasing your plant-based fiber intake, Kaiser Permanente suggests slowly incorporating more fiber-rich foods into your diet. This can include a flavorful bean, lentil, or split pea soup.