What are the nutritional benefits of chickpeas during pregnancy? Chickpeas are a healthy option for pregnant women. They are rich in protein, a nutrient responsible for the overall cellular development of your unborn baby. Chickpeas are also rich in iron. Your baby draws enough iron from you to last it through the first five or six months after birth. Hence, it is vital that you have more iron rich foods while you are pregnant. The recommended daily intake of iron during pregnancy is 27 mg per day and including chickpeas in your pregnancy diet is a good way to meet this requirement. Chickpeas is also known to have high levels of folate, a nutrient that is important for your baby’s development during the early stages of pregnancy as it helps in preventing birth abnormalities like spina bifida. Hence, chickpeas are a good addition to your pregnancy diet.