VegLiving will be continuing the Superfoods of Significance Spotlights today with the third post on beans. These feature excellent, healthy and tasty choices for foods: what they’re about, why they’re healthy and how to incorporate them into your life. Read more about this series here.
A. “What are beans?“
Beans are a member of the legume family, a high-protein, high-fiber food group that also includes peas, lentils, peanuts, carob, and more. Beans have supplied excellent nutrition for hundreds of years and are rightfully revered in the nutrition field for their beneficial protein, fiber (meat with none), folate, iron, calcium, potassium and numerous others. Their delightful taste and versatility in cooking should not be overlooked as well.
B. “What is healthy about beans?“
Though many of the nutrients beans feature have been mentioned, it’s good to reiterate that beans are one of the best, most usable (and tasty) form of protein for vegetarians and vegans that in addition packs in tons of nutrients that your body needs. With all these wonderful health properties, it’s no wonder that including beans in your diet can reduce the risk of diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease, states the article here at WebMD.com.The fiber and protein that’s abundant in beans will help you feel satisfied and avoid unhealthy temptations that can lead to obesity and weight gain, main risky conditions to have in these diseases.
C. “Where can beans be purchased and what is the price range?“
Not trying to insult your intelligence here , just sticking to the format. Beans have been a longtime favorite and there’s no doubt that they can be found at any supermarket. However, a good tip for finding them at a good price with a large selection is to look in the Mexican or Spanish (Latino-based) food section, for brands like Goya that are very tasty and affordable.
Beans are sold at a very reasonable price, especially when compared to meat products and other proteins (For less than one dollar, 10 servings of dried beans can be purchased, according to this article at Examiner.com). The best way to buy them, as with many things, is in bulk, often then with reduced price.
D. “How can Beans be incorporated into my lifestyle?“
This seemingly (and rightfully so) perfectly nutritious food is too, the perfect ingredient to any recipe, as a staple like in many vegetarian and vegan dishes, or as a side dish — whatever suits you. One of my favorite Veg Sites, SavvyVegetarian.com, featured here, has an entire collection of recipes here devoted just to beans. Check them out here — tasty soups, stews, salads, dips, and more.
If you’re just looking for a quick way, maybe not the most culinary or gourmet voyage (I understand), try just throwing some in a salad or sandwich or eaten plain.
Hopefully, if you’re not yet acquainted with beans, you’ll become great friends with this true superfood that shines both in taste, nutrition and wallet-impact. Be as creative as you like with this versatile food and let us know what you think!
Be well,
Brian
Thank you to these sources:
Beans – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia -link-
Health Benefits of Beans – YourBestBodyNow.com -link-
Beans: Protein-Rich Superfoods – WebMD -link-
Superfood #1: Beans – Examiner.com -link-
Vegetarian Bean Recipes: Bean Soup, Bean Salad, Bean Dips, Bean Burgers – SavvyVegetarian -link-
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