Eat more Beans - they are so good for you!
Beans are a powerful protein packed with lots of soluble fiber.
Vegetarians should eat beans daily and combine them with grains such as rice or bread so they can accomplish a powerful protein complementation, which is very important when you don`t eat meat. Beans do not have all the amino acids our bodies need but combined with other sources such as whole grains, you can cover them all.
Even if you still like your meat try to cut down on the meat and replace some meals with beans, the health benefits are enormous. In addition we do not need to worry about antibiotics or mercury that are found in some meats and fish.
Not just are beans a great way to get your protein but they are also an excellent source of fiber. It is recommended to eat about 25 grams of dietary fiber for women and 35 grams for men. A lot of people do not meet those recommendations at all !
Unless you eat a lot of vegetables, whole grains and fruits it is quite challenging to meet those recommendations. Just one serving of beans, which is only about 1/2 cup, can provide about 4-5 grams of fiber. So if you would eat about 2.5 cups of a bean soup you could easily meet those recommendations.
We will write a separate article about Fiber because of it`s high importance, but please start thinking about Fiber daily. If you are not getting enough fiber currently start increasing it slowly, so that you do not suffer too much from gas, bloating and cramps.
You can get fiber from whole grains, beans, nuts, fruits and vegetables.
On top of being a great source of protein and dietary fiber, beans are very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Thiamin, Folate, Iron, Phosphorus, Copper and Manganese.
A great way to eat beans is to make a soup. We always make a big pot and then freeze portions, so we always have some when needed. And it`s delicious!
Of course please eat organic beans! We buy them dried, soak them overnight and then cook them.
So easy and so tasty!
Enjoy your beans!
