Nutritional Value of Beans & Eating Beans Without Gas

Why are Beans so Beneficial?

If you include kidney, black, navy or pinto beans, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), soybeans, dried peas or lentils in your diet, you can be assured that they are a nutritious aid to anti-aging; but beans are beneficial for many other reasons. Except for soybeans, they are low in fat. They also offer ample dietary fiber, which is released slowly into the bloodstream and keeps you feeling satisfied, as well as producing energy for a long period. Beans are also low in calories and sodium, but they are high in complex carbohydrates. Beans are also an excellent source of protein.

Lentil Stew With Vegetables

Beans Are Respected Worldwide

Beans have been used in cuisines worldwide for thousands of years and are respected as one of the most nutritious food staples, especially dried beans and lentils. In addition, beans and lentils are very versatile in cooking. You can combine them with a variety of herbs and vegetables. You can also make delicious soups with them. Add beans and lentils to salads, or purees served as a dip or spread.

There is no end to praising beans. They are also a good source of potassium and, as a result, can help in reducing the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Diabetics can control spikes in their blood sugar levels with beans; since beans rank low on the glycemic index, and do not cause inflammatory hunger inducing spikes.

We also find a good source of folic acid in beans. Folic acid helps to protect against heart disease. Folate also helps in preventing birth defects; and since folate plays an important role in healthy cell division and repairing damaged cells, it can help in reducing the risk of several types of cancer.

Soaking & Rinsing Beans

Many people do not like eating beans because beans are gas-producing. This is because when beans are cooked, the residual starch on the surface feeds the harmless bacteria in your gut. These bacteria then release gas. To avoid this problem, rinse beans thoroughly after they are cooked, and do not cook them in water in which you soaked them. Simply rinse them before and after boiling, and do not add any salt while they are cooking, because this can toughen them. You may add salt at the end of cooking. Lentils do not need to be presoaked, neither do they need to be rinsed after they are boiled.

Storing Beans

Beans and lentils can keep indefinitely in a cool dry place. So stock up on beans, eat and enjoy them, and live a healthier life.