American Garden Classic Chickpeas
Published
American Garden Classic Chickpeas are cooked chickpeas packed in brine, ready to heat and use. It scores CA1: middling on nutrition because protein and fibre are modest in a wet pack, strong on ingredients thanks to a short list with little added, and low on risk. A handy pantry staple for most meals, with salt the only thing to watch.
Ingredients, decoded
6 listed- Chick peas
- water
- salt
- sugar
- citric acid (acidifying agent)
- calcium disodium EDTA (E385) for color retention
<½ teaspoon of sugar in every 100 g · 0.8 g total sugar, 5 g a teaspoon
| Energy | 92.3 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6.2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14.6 g |
| Total sugars | 0.77 g |
| Dietary fibre | 5.4 g |
| Total fat | 0.77 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 284.6 mg |
Think this score is wrong?
What to know about American Garden Classic Chickpeas
Plain canned chickpeas, with salt as the catch
American Garden Classic Chickpeas are canned, cooked chickpeas (65%) in water with salt, sugar, citric acid and calcium disodium EDTA (E385), which is added for colour retention. It is a pantry item for people who want chickpeas without soaking and boiling them: curries, salads, quick snacks.
Per 100 g the can gives 92 kcal, 6.15 g protein, 5.38 g fibre, 0.77 g sugar, no saturated fat and 285 mg sodium. The pack prints its panel per 1/2 cup serve of 130 g: 120 kcal, 8 g protein, 7 g fibre and 370 mg sodium.
The name is plain and the list backs it up: chickpeas lead, the rest is brine and a few small additions. The sodium from the salted brine is the one cost of the convenience. CleanPlate scores it CA1.
Why American Garden Classic Chickpeas scores CA1
Nutrition is a C because protein is 6.15 g and fibre 5.38 g per 100 g in a wet pack. Ingredients are an A on a short list, and risk is a 1, mostly from 285 mg sodium.
Adequate nutrient density
- Protein
- 6.2 g
- Fibre
- 5.4 g
- Vitamins and minerals
- None declared
- Energy
- 92 kcal
01 Nutrition density: why C
Protein is 6.15 g per 100 g and fibre is 5.38 g, almost all of it from the chickpeas themselves. In one 130 g serve that is 8 g protein and 7 g fibre for 120 kcal.
The pack declares no vitamins or minerals, so the grade rests on protein and fibre alone. Because the chickpeas are packed in water, the numbers per 100 g are lower than for dry chickpeas, which holds the grade at the middle.
Scored on protein, fibre and twelve vitamins and minerals, against the Codex and FSSAI "source" and "high" levels, per 100 g and per 100 kcal. Protein also has to supply at least 12.5% of the calories to count, and 25% for full credit.
Clean, minimally processed
- Base
- Chick peas
- Sweeteners
- sugar
- Additives
- 2
- Flagged
- None
02 Ingredient integrity: why A
The list is short and mostly whole food: chickpeas at 65%, water, salt, a little sugar and citric acid. Nothing hydrogenated, no dyes and no sweeteners are listed.
Citric acid and calcium disodium EDTA (E385) are both on the list but neither costs ingredient points here. The label makes no promise the list contradicts, so nothing is lost on label integrity.
Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.
Clean
- Total sugar
- 0.77 g
- Sodium
- 284.6 mg
- Saturated fat
- 0 g
- Trans fat
- 0 g
03 Load risk: why 1
Sodium is the driver: 285 mg per 100 g, and 370 mg in one 130 g serve. That is almost all of the risk score, which still lands on a 1.
Sugar is 0.77 g per 100 g, saturated fat and trans fat are 0 g, and energy at 92 kcal per 100 g adds nothing to the risk.
Scored on free sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, each weighed by how strong the evidence of harm is.
Red flags
No major red flags on the label.
Green flags
- +Green flag: Source of protein (6.2g)
- +Green flag: Source of fibre
Does American Garden Classic Chickpeas live up to its claims?
The only front-of-pack promise worth checking, chick peas, holds: they are 65% of the can, with water, salt and a few small additions making up the rest.
- Product nameHolds
“Chick Peas”
Chickpeas lead the list at 65%, followed by water. Salt, sugar, citric acid and a colour-retention additive are the rest.
- On the packHolds
“Easy open”
This describes the pull-ring can lid, not the food. Nothing on the label contradicts it.
What's in American Garden Classic Chickpeas?
Chickpeas lead the list, followed by water and salt. Sodium is the thing to watch, and the colour-retention additive is the only one worth knowing about.
The ingredient list, read for you
Chickpeas come first at 65%, then water, which is the brine they are packed in. Salt seasons it, and a little sugar rounds the taste. Citric acid is the acidifying agent, and calcium disodium EDTA (E385) is there to keep the chickpeas' colour.
Ingredients to watch
- SodiumWorth watching
285 mg per 100 g, and 370 mg in a 130 g serve, mostly from the salted brine.
- Calcium disodium EDTA (E385)Worth watching
Added for colour retention. It is worth knowing about, but it costs no ingredient points here.
- Protein and fibreFine
6.15 g protein and 5.38 g fibre per 100 g, so 8 g and 7 g in a serve.
- Fat and sugarFine
No saturated fat or trans fat, 0.77 g fat and 0.77 g sugar per 100 g.
What it doesn’t have
- No vitamins or minerals are declared on the panel.
Who should eat American Garden Classic Chickpeas?
Suitable for everyday use for most adults and children. Sodium of 370 mg per serve is the only reason to keep an eye on portions and other salty foods.
- Most adultsEveryday
120 kcal, 8 g protein and 7 g fibre a serve, with 370 mg sodium to keep in mind.
- ChildrenEveryday
Whole chickpeas with 0.77 g sugar per 100 g and no dye or sweetener.
- Diabetes or prediabetesEveryday
Only 0.77 g sugar per 100 g, with 5.38 g fibre alongside the carbohydrate.
- Weight managementEveryday
92 kcal per 100 g with 5.38 g fibre, though added salt in the dish adds up.
Recipes with American Garden Classic Chickpeas
Heat in a pan with spices and serve with bread, toss into a salad, or mash into a dip. Each uses the 6.15 g protein and 5.38 g fibre per 100 g.
Spiced pan chickpeas with bread
Heat the chickpeas in a pan with your favourite spices, as the pack suggests, and serve with bread for 8 g protein per serve.
Chickpea salad
Toss with chopped onion, tomato and lemon; the 5.38 g fibre per 100 g makes it filling, and you can skip extra salt.
Quick chickpea curry
Simmer in a masala base for a protein-rich side. Go light on salt, since the chickpeas already carry 285 mg sodium per 100 g.
American Garden Classic Chickpeas: common questions
What is the CleanPlate score of American Garden Classic Chickpeas?
American Garden Classic Chickpeas are cooked chickpeas packed in brine, ready to heat and use. It scores CA1: middling on nutrition because protein and fibre are modest in a wet pack, strong on ingredients thanks to a short list with little added, and low on risk. A handy pantry staple for most meals, with salt the only thing to watch. Nutrition C, ingredients A, load risk 1; nutrition and ingredients run A to E, risk runs 1 to 5, and A and 1 are best.
How many calories and how much protein are in American Garden Classic Chickpeas?
Per 100 g, American Garden Classic Chickpeas has 92 kcal, 6.2 g protein, 14.6 g carbohydrate, 0.77 g fat and 0 g saturated fat. One serve (1/2 cup, 130 g) has 120 kcal and 8 g protein.
What are the ingredients in American Garden Classic Chickpeas?
6 ingredients, in label order: Chick peas, water, salt, sugar, citric acid (acidifying agent), calcium disodium EDTA (E385) for color retention.
Does American Garden Classic Chickpeas live up to its claims?
2 claims checked: 2 hold.
Who should limit American Garden Classic Chickpeas?
Most adults: everyday. 120 kcal, 8 g protein and 7 g fibre a serve, with 370 mg sodium to keep in mind. Children: everyday. Whole chickpeas with 0.77 g sugar per 100 g and no dye or sweetener. Diabetes or prediabetes: everyday. Only 0.77 g sugar per 100 g, with 5.38 g fibre alongside the carbohydrate.
How much sugar, salt and saturated fat does American Garden Classic Chickpeas have?
Per 100 g, American Garden Classic Chickpeas has 0.77 g sugar, 285 mg sodium (about 0.7 g salt) and 0 g saturated fat. The FSSAI and UK FSA "high" lines are 10 g added sugar, 600 mg sodium and 5 g saturated fat per 100 g. It is under all three lines.
Last reviewed October 29, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label. Spotted a mistake? .
Label read on 29 October 2026, from photos of the pack. If the pack has changed since, tell us.
Score history (1)
| Date | Score | Method | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 October 2026 | CA1 | v5.0 | History starts here |
Every change to this score is logged. See corrections and the method changelog.
