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Eat More Beans in 2007
We all know we are supposed to eat more beans, don't we? But weeks go by and maybe we haven't even eaten one serving. Well, let's make eating more beans one of our nutritional goals for 2007.
The general recommendation is to eat beans several times a week to possibly take the place of red meat (which will lower our intake of saturated fat and cholesterol) and also to serve as a source of folic acid (lentils, pinto beans), fiber and assorted phytochemicals (soybeans and soybean products are included in this group).
Here are a few Bean Tips to get you started:
*Canned beans save the day!
If you are going to add beans to your meals or recipes, why not used canned! Open a can, rinse and go. Kidney beans and black beans seem to fair the best in most recipes. If you don't use canned, then you will probably be stuck soaking the beans in water overnight and then boiling until tender. See what I mean about canned beans?
* Better beans for gas
If beans bother your digestive system, try canned beans. Rinse them well in a colander (this will help remove any substance in the bean water that might encourage gas production.) You can also try the over-the-counter product, Beano. Beano contains an enzyme supplement that breaks down gas-producing substances in the beans.
* Boost your salad with beans
It's pretty easy to open up a can of kidney or black beans, rinse them and then spoon then onto your green salad. They add texture and color to your green salad.
* Soup can be super with beans
Drained canned beans or frozen and fresh beans can be easily stirred into some canned or homemade soup you are heating on the stove.
* Frozen beans can work too because you are only taking the amount you need and putting the rest of the bag back in the refrigerator. My favorite frozen item is edamame (shelled). One of my daughter's favorite quick snacks is microwaved shelled edamame. You can add 1/2 of a teaspoon of less fat margarine or a light drizzle of olive oil to the bowl of hot, microwaved edamame. Then add a sprinkling of freshly ground black pepper.
~~Elaine
Related Topics: Cooking Healthy in the New Year, Antioxidant Superstarts
Technorati Tags: beans, legumes, fiber, edamame, cannedbeans, diet, nutrition
The general recommendation is to eat beans several times a week to possibly take the place of red meat (which will lower our intake of saturated fat and cholesterol) and also to serve as a source of folic acid (lentils, pinto beans), fiber and assorted phytochemicals (soybeans and soybean products are included in this group).
Here are a few Bean Tips to get you started:
*Canned beans save the day!
If you are going to add beans to your meals or recipes, why not used canned! Open a can, rinse and go. Kidney beans and black beans seem to fair the best in most recipes. If you don't use canned, then you will probably be stuck soaking the beans in water overnight and then boiling until tender. See what I mean about canned beans?
* Better beans for gas
If beans bother your digestive system, try canned beans. Rinse them well in a colander (this will help remove any substance in the bean water that might encourage gas production.) You can also try the over-the-counter product, Beano. Beano contains an enzyme supplement that breaks down gas-producing substances in the beans.
* Boost your salad with beans
It's pretty easy to open up a can of kidney or black beans, rinse them and then spoon then onto your green salad. They add texture and color to your green salad.
* Soup can be super with beans
Drained canned beans or frozen and fresh beans can be easily stirred into some canned or homemade soup you are heating on the stove.
* Frozen beans can work too because you are only taking the amount you need and putting the rest of the bag back in the refrigerator. My favorite frozen item is edamame (shelled). One of my daughter's favorite quick snacks is microwaved shelled edamame. You can add 1/2 of a teaspoon of less fat margarine or a light drizzle of olive oil to the bowl of hot, microwaved edamame. Then add a sprinkling of freshly ground black pepper.
~~Elaine
Related Topics: Cooking Healthy in the New Year, Antioxidant Superstarts
Technorati Tags: beans, legumes, fiber, edamame, cannedbeans, diet, nutrition
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