When ever the mood strikes me, I like
to make up a pot-o-beans! I generally use Great Northern beans for a
number of reasons; I like the taste and they are inexpensive! But not
only does a pot of beans satisfy a hearty appetite, they are actually
quite nutritious too! Just a quarter cup of these beans will supply
the average person with high levels of protein, half their daily
requirement for fiber all at only about 70 calories per serving. And,
because they digest slowly, the glycemic load on your blood is very
low! Oh, and yes, please make sure you use dried beans out of a
bag rather than using the canned varieties. Here's a few reasons
why that's a good idea:
- Lower sodium: Dry beans, purchased in bags, contain no sodium. By contrast, canned beans are quite high in sodium (1/2 cup of canned beans contain about 20% of your daily sodium requirement). If you're watching your sodium intake level for blood pressure concerns or other health reasons, stick with dry beans.
- More natural: Canned beans can last several years in their cooked state, thus, they have added preservatives. By contrast, when you use dry beans that you cook yourself, you can know exactly what ingredients you've added and how the beans have been prepared. Dry beans are purchased and cooked in a more natural and controlled state.
- Bisphenol A (BPA): This is a chemical found in the
plastic white lining of most cans of food. It has become
controversial lately because studies have shown that it may mimic
the hormone estrogen and may contribute to certain cancers, insulin
resistance and birth defects. If you would like to avoid this
exposure, stick with dry beans.
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