I Tried Three Types of Chana for Weight Loss — Here’s What Actually Worked

I’ve been on a mission to clean up my eating habits lately, and chana (chickpeas) somehow kept popping up in every discussion about healthy Indian foods. Friends kept telling me about the benefits, but the more I looked into it, the more confusing it got: roasted, soaked, boiled — everyone had a different opinion about which one works best for losing weight. So, I decided to dig deeper and try them all.

My Chana Experiment

I started with roasted chana. Crunchy, satisfying, and honestly perfect for when you just want to munch on something without guilt. It’s high in protein and keeps you full longer, which helped me stop reaching for random snacks. I also stumbled upon an insightful conversation on Threads about mindful snacking: https://www.threads.com/@askayurveda_24/post/DN0sWfo3AAh
. That thread basically confirmed what I was experiencing — replacing chips with roasted chana really does make a difference.

Next, I switched to soaked chana. I soaked them overnight and had them first thing in the morning. The effect on digestion was noticeable, and I felt less bloated throughout the day. I later found a simple visual breakdown on Pinterest that explains why soaking preserves vitamins: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/895934919627101915
. It made me realize this method is perfect if your metabolism tends to be sluggish.

Finally, I experimented with boiled chana. This was the easiest to incorporate into meals — salads, wraps, soups, you name it. I found a creative recipe on Instagram that shows how to make boiled chana exciting: https://www.instagram.com/p/DN0sWRk0k0p/
. That post gave me ideas for prepping quick, high-protein lunches during busy weeks.

What the Community Is Saying

It turns out, I wasn’t the only one obsessed with figuring this out. On Facebook, I came across a discussion where dietitians shared tips about portion control with chana: https://www.facebook.com/885804900366149/posts/1091148359831801
. A key takeaway? Chana is healthy, but it’s still possible to overeat if you don’t balance it with vegetables and other fiber-rich foods.

Meanwhile, a Twitter thread on plant-based protein sources: https://twitter.com/AskAyurveda_24/status/1960364308874895609
highlights how chana stands out for vegetarians aiming to maintain lean muscle. And for a more professional take, I found this LinkedIn post where nutrition experts discuss how preparation impacts calorie density and satiety: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ask-ayurveda_when-it-comes-to-weight-management-preparation-activity-7366130086833524737-Cw_C
?.

I also came across a comprehensive article from Ask Ayurveda that breaks down the differences between roasted, soaked, and boiled chana in detail: https://ask-ayurveda.com/articles/1398-which-chana-is-good-for-weight-loss-roasted-soaked-or-boiled
. That’s where I learned why there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer — it really depends on your lifestyle and digestion.

My Takeaway

After trying all three, I’ve realized there’s no single “best” chana for weight loss. For me:

Roasted chana is perfect when I need a quick snack.

Soaked chana works wonders on digestion and bloating.

Boiled chana is the easiest way to build balanced, protein-rich meals.

Honestly, I’ve started mixing them up depending on my schedule — and it’s been a game-changer for both my energy and my weight goals.

What about you? Have you tried any of these methods? Do you have a favorite, or do you combine them like I do? Let’s swap tips in the comments — I’d love to hear your experience!