THE BENEFITS OF BEANS AND LEGUMES
Protein comes from plant sources as well as animal sources. In fact, every plant we eat has at least a little bit of protein in it, and some have a lot - like beans also called legumes! Beans also have some health benefits that animal sources don't.
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Beans are high in minerals and fiber without the saturated fat found in some animal proteins. Eating beans as part of a heart healthy diet and lifestyle may help improve your blood cholesterol, a leading cause of heart disease. Adding beans to your diet may help keep you feeling full longer.
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Drain canned beans in a colander and rinse with water to remove some of the excess salt; or buy canned beans with no salt added if they have them at your store. Or, you can make your own salt-free beans from scratch.
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There are lots of easy ways to add beans to your meals and reap the healthy benefits of the lovely legume.
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Famously, the English eat beans on toast, and beans and rice is an everyday dish in many of the world's cuisines.
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Tuck beans into whole-grain tortillas or pita bread.
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Add them to soups, salads, and pasta dishes.
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Toss beans into sauteed veggies of mix them with cooked greens and garlic.
​There are many to choose from - black beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, pinto, cannelloni, lima, mung and navy beans - as well as some exciting heirloom varieties that are now available again.