Beans, beans, the musical fruit, the more you eat…

...the longer you live!

Most Americans know that beans are a healthful food, but they may intimidate those who haven’t grown up eating them. It seems daunting to figure out what beans are best, how to cook them, and if it is worth eating them, because gas is a common side effect. Nutritionists and health professionals encourage eating beans for their functional role in health. Beans are a rich source of fiber which may help:

-Lower the risk of colon cancer
-Reducing blood cholesterol, as well as LDL or "bad cholesterol," a leading causes of heart disease
-Lower the risk of type 2 diabetes
-Improving diabetes control for existing type 1 and 2 diabetics
-Strengthen the immune system

Try tossing canned beans onto a salad, into a rice dish, or in a stir-fry. Try hummus as an alternative dip. Beans are easy to incorporate into stews, soups, pasta dishes, and side dishes. As an alternative to meat, fish, or poultry, make stewed lentils or bean salad. Always have cans of beans in your pantry, ready to rinse and add to your meals for a quick nutritious boost. Keep dried beans in your pantry for when you have time to really prepare, as they take some time and effort to use.

Beans are a rich source of fiber. A 1 cup portion of beans can contain up to 16 grams of fiber!