Lupin hailed as secret ‘wonder food’

A humble legume is being hailed as Australia’s secret ‘wonder food’. With Australia’s Healthy Weight Week beginning on 21 January, Dr Regina Belski is highlighting the benefits of adding lupins to your diet.

“Lupin flour contains 40-45% protein, 25-30% fibre and negligible sugar and starch,” said Dr Belski, a La Trobe University nutritionist. “It has an acute effect on satiation and satiety, which plays a role in weight management.”

Belski says research has shown this has a significant effect on cardiovascular disease risk factors, specifically those relating to high blood pressure and insulin sensitivity.

“Over 80% of the world’s lupin crops are produced in Australia, but currently most of it is only used for stock feed,” said Dr Belski. “At the moment, lupin-enriched products are only commercially available in Western Australia, but you can easily get lupin flour from health food stores.”

La Trobe’s Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition is currently negotiating with industry to undertake further research into the health benefits of lupins, with the hope of increasing the commercial availability of lupin-based products in Victoria.

Healthy Weight Week is an initiative of the Dietitians Association of Australia.