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Yes, Your Mom Was Right… Beans Are Good For You
By Susanne M. | September 10, 2008
When was the last time you cooked with dry beans or peas? I have at least 5 different bags sitting in my pantry waiting to be turned into soups, dips, side-dishes and even hearty main dishes. They are a healthy staple that provides us with plenty of protein and fiber. Let’s take a look at why you may want to cook with them more as well.
They Are Cheap
Here’s my favorite reason to cook with beans… it is really inexpensive to do. I can buy enough beans to cook three meals for my family for under two dollars. I like to buy beans at my local costco or a mexican supermarket by the way. They are usually quite a bit cheaper and I get a larger variety than what my regular grocery store has to offer.
Beans are a good substitution for meat in a meal. You can use more beans and less (or no) meat in casseroles and chilies and even tacos and burritos. I also like to add them to pasta sauces. Of course there are also all kinds of beans and rice dishes which make great side dishes and even main courses. Cooking more beans and less meat will help you feed your family for less.
Beans Are Good For Your Health
Beans are good for you. They are an excellent source of protein and also include a lot of much needed fiber. One of the reasons the fiber in beans is so good for you is because it is a type of soluble fiber that will grab a hold of bad cholesterol and take it out of your body. That’s one of the reasons why beans are good for your heart.
You will also be pleased to hear that beans will help you prevent and fight cancer. For those of us with diabetes it is important to know that beans can help our body use insulin more effectively by creating more receptor sites. What a great reason to eat more beans.
Beans Are Just Plain Yummy
Beans are one of the most versatile foods I have come across. Since their flavor is mild, you can season them up pretty much any way you like them. I’ve made anything from spicy south western chipotle chili to Indian inspired Dahl with them. Add some black beans to your spaghetti sauce next time instead of ground beef. It’s delicious, lower in calorie and makes for a great healthy meal.
My favorite thing to do with leftover beans, lentils or chick peas is to turn them into a dip. Since they are already cooked, I just add them along with a little bit of liquid and some seasonings to my food processor and process until I have a creamy smooth dip. Serve alongside some veggies, bread or chips. Even my kids love these dips and I feel much better giving this to my family than some other fat-laden dip.
Perfect When You Need A Simple Or Fast Meal
Yes, you heard right I think cooking with beans is fast and simple. Here are some of the reasons why Sure, some beans have quite a long cooking time, but once you get them in the pot, they pretty much cook themselves. For an even easier approach, put your beans and plenty of liquid in the crockpot in the morning. By the time you’re ready for dinner they are done.
Beans are very easy to store after they are cooked. They will last quite a few days in a plastic container in the fridge and will survive in your freezer for a few months. Just pop them in the microwave when you’re ready to eat them.
I encourage you to give beans another try if you haven’t been a big fan so far. Just try a few different bean recipes. Even if you don’t like the first one, there is just the right one out there for you and your family.
Topics: Recipes |