As we strive to attain a better nutritional state, one of the important things our body requires is fiber. The kind of fiber that is good is soluble fiber...or fiber that absorbs water. Added to your diet, soluble fiber will keep you regular, help to stabize blood glucose (sugar) levels and also help to lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol. Both oats and beans are a good source of soluble fiber but beans offer more fiber per serving and are also good for your heart. Beans have a lot of healthy antioxidents.
Eating a half of cup of cooked beans daily can help lower your cholesterol in a three month period of time. The great thing about eating beans is that there are many varieties of them. If you need the convienence of using can beans just be sure to rinse them to help cut the sodium content that is found in canned food. Beans can be used in soups, salads and even sandwiches. You can substitute them for the high fat animal protein most of us eat too much of. Beans are an excellent filler so it helps you feel full and satisfied as well.
There is a word of caution however if you are not accustomed to having bean in your diet. You want to start adding them slowly and drink plenty of water. If you try eating too many too fast you might develop unpleasant and sometimes painful intestinal gas.
So now when you think of the great advice mom gave you as a child to remember to eat your greens...you can now add to that remember to eat your beans.
Posted By: Belinda Anderson
Tuesday, November 11th 2008 at 7:00PM
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