• Topics: Food Science and Human Nutrition | Dahl, Wendy | Foster, Lauren | Bean Products and Recipes | Pea Products and Recipes | Shopping for Health series

Shopping for Health: Beans, Peas, and Lentils¹

What's the Big Deal about Beans?

Beans, one of the most wholesome foods in nature, provide a wide range of health benefits—they come packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins. Naturally low in fat, they contain no cholesterol and are very low in saturated fat.⁽¹⁾ Beans rich in color are also high in antioxidants.

Shopping for Beans

Beans, peas, and lentils are also called legumes or pulses. A wide variety of legumes is found all over the world, each with a unique color, shape, and flavor. Some commonly consumed beans, peas, and lentils are featured throughout this publication.

Figure 1. 

Black turtle

Credit:

Photo by Sarah Gilbert, used here under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. Source: http://flic.kr/p/7j27P4.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 2. 

Cannellini

Credit:

Photo by Sarah Gilbert, used here under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. Source: http://flic.kr/p/7kTEAc.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Beans, peas, and lentils may be available fresh, frozen, or, more commonly, dried or canned.

Figure 3. 

Red Kidney

Credit:

Photo by mtsn, used here under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC 2.0. Source: http://flic.kr/p/q5c89.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 4. 

Brown Lentils

Credit:

Photo by Jules Clancy / StoneSoup, used here under Creative Commons license CC BY 2.0. Source: http://flic.kr/p/8Cvxiw.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 5. 

Pinto

Credit:

Photo by nemka, used here under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. Source: http://flic.kr/p/7zqgDD.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 6. 

Chickpeas

Credit:

Photo by Judith Doyle, used here under Creative Commons license CC BY-ND 2.0. Source: http://flic.kr/p/7RXtSC.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Dried Beans

When shopping for dried beans, you should look for beans that are bright in color and uniform in size. Do not purchase packages with cracked or broken beans, as they might have been damaged by insects.

Canned Varieties

Various types of beans come in a canned form, including red kidney beans, white kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, and garbanzo beans / chickpeas. When choosing canned beans, those that are labeled "low sodium" or "no added salt" are the healthiest choices. For more information on reduced-sodium foods, see Shopping for Health: Sodium (EDIS #FSHN10-06) at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs154.

Beans and Nutrition

When deciding what type of beans to buy, consider nutritional content. Most beans have similar base nutritional values, being high in protein and fiber. Table 1 lists some common beans and their protein, fiber, and calorie contents.⁽²⁾

Meals with Beans

Beans can be used in a variety of ways, from salad toppings to main course dishes. Table 2 lists some good ways to incorporate canned beans into different dishes. Beans can also be incorporated into desserts, snacks, and convenience foods. For example, canned kidney beans can be mashed and added to canned pasta and tomato sauce, or even used to extend ground beef in burgers and meatloaf. "Low sodium" or "no added salt" canned beans work very well in cake and cookie recipes. See what follows for some great recipes!

Black-Bean Brownies

1 box brownie mix (plus additional required ingredients listed on box)

1 can (15 ounce) black beans, no salt added, drained and rinsed

Mash black beans with a fork until very smooth. Prepare brownie mix, following directions on the box, and stir in mashed beans as last ingredient. Bake brownies according to box instructions. Enjoy!

Birthday Cupcakes

1 box vanilla cake mix (plus additional required ingredients listed on box)

1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, no salt added

Mash beans in a separate bowl with a fork until smooth. Prepare cake mix, following directions on the box, adding beans with other required ingredients. Mix well. Bake according to directions. Frost with choice of frosting.

Creamy Black-Bean Dip

1 container (16 ounce) fat-free cream cheese

1 can (15 ounce) reduced-sodium black beans, drained and rinsed

3 Tbsp fresh cilantro

2 Tbsp chopped tomato (optional)

¾ cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Salt and pepper to taste

Mash half the can of beans with a fork. Mix mashed beans with the cream cheese and cilantro until smooth. Gently stir in the rest of the beans. Before serving, sprinkle cheese and chopped tomato on top. Serve with tortilla chips or crackers.

Learn More

The Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) agent at your county Extension office may have more information. In Florida, visit http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/map/ to find your local county Extension office.

More bean recipes can be found at:

http://www.usdrybeans.com/

http://archive.saskpulse.com/consumer/ [19 October 2012]

http://www.pulsecanada.com/recipes

Reliable nutrition information may be found at the following sites:

http://fycs.ifas.ufl.edu

http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu

http://www.nutrition.gov

http://www.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index/php?info_center=4&tax_level=1 [September 2011]

Endnotes

(1) U.S. Department of Agriculture. Inside the pyramid: Dry beans and peas in the food guide. 11 Sep 2008. Web. http://www.mypyramid.gov/ pyramid/meat_beans_print.html.

(2) U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2009. National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 22. Nutrient Data Laboratory Home Page, http://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndl.

Tables

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.

• Copyright 2012 |
• Site Feedback |
• About This Site