Why You Need More Beans in Your Diet

Beans – why you need them & how to get them.

Beans are one of the most healthy, inexpensive and versatile foods out there. If you’re looking to cut back on your grocery bill, I encourage you to try and incorporate more beans into your diet. Not only will you save money, but you will be much healthier.

Why you should add more beans to your diet

There are many reasons you should be eating more beans. Here are just a few of them:

Beans keep you fuller longer

If you’re one of those people who is often ravenous not long after you eat a meal, consider eating more beans to stay fuller longer. There is some evidence that beans keep your blood sugar where it should be, which means you aren’t hungry for quite awhile after you eat them.

Beans are full off vitamins, minerals and protein

I’m sure you know that beans are good for you – but do you know why? There are so many benefits to eating beans. They are chock full of an assortment of good things, such as protein, fibre, B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, iron and folate. It is recommended that you eat beans on a regular basis to ensure good health.

Beans are heart-healthy

Dried beans are almost completely free of cholesterol and are low in fat and sodium, all of which are necessary to maintain a healthy heart. Beans also help to maintain a healthy digestive track, which is another very important thing to monitor.

Canned Beans or Dried Beans?

There are pros and cons to using both canned beans and dried beans. I personally always make sure to have both types in my pantry.

Pros and cons of canned beans

• Easy to use (PRO)
• Convenient (PRO)
• Lots of added salt (CON)
• May contain traces BPA (CON)

Pros and cons of dried beans

• Cheaper than canned beans (PRO)
• Healthier than canned beans/less salt (PRO)
• Longer shelf life (PRO)
• Take time to cook (CON)

How to incorporate more beans into your diet

As you can see, beans (dried or canned) should be an integral part of any diet. They provide so many health benefits that they simply cannot be ignored.

If you have tried beans in the past and did not care for them, try a different type of bean. There are many varieties of beans widely available: kidney beans, black beans, navy beans, black-eyed peas, cannellini beans, chickpeas and so many others.

Here are a few ways that you can easily incorporate more beans into your diet:

• Add beans to salads
• Add beans to tacos and burritos
• Add beans to soups and stews
• Add beans to ground beef
• Add beans to pasta
• Add beans to rice
• Eat beans as a side dish
• Make bean burgers

Beans really are a super food. It’s not very often you can find a food that is cheap, lasts a long time, and is actually really good for you.

So, if you’re not currently a big bean eater, please consider giving beans a try. Experiment with different types of beans, different recipes and different cooking techniques. Your heart and your body will thank you.

Do you eat beans? What types are your favourite?