Yeah, that rhyme doesn't sound the same as it used to in my childhood, but the lesson actually is totally true. Beans are an extremely healthy food, no matter what kind of beans you are talking about. Now, I'm just talking about beans, not loading them with sugar and bacon and all that other stuff, but amazingly enough, even those types of beans are still really good for you.
Beans are naturally high in protein and fiber, two things that are often lacking in vegetarian diets, so this goes double for any veggie-mights out there. Lets see what else do beans have to offer? How 'bout they lower cholesterol and reduce cancer risk. Because of the high fiber content they also reduce the chance of obesity because they fill you up, and stave off further appetite. (Most processed foods pretty much are fiber-free). Wonder why you are hungry a half hour after eating store bought mac and cheese? No Fiber.
Heart Health
And I guess the original childhood rhyme bears fruit. Beans also help relive constipation. (Hey, it's good to know, isn't it?)
So why am I talking about beans? You can't get fit by training alone. Diet is thought to be up to 80% of weight loss. That's why Jenny Craigs and Weight Watchers work on the weight loss spectrum. The problem is that doing diet without resistance training will make you a fat thin person. Yes, it sounds odd, but your muscle will decrease and your fat tends to increase (percentage wise) as you lose weight from dieting. And since muscle burns more calories than fat, being a fat thin person, you will burn even less calories, and gain weight back more easily...and unfortunately the weight you gain likely will be more fat weight, so it turns into a nightmarish spiral.
The key is combining diet with weight training. (Yes, I know, I'm a record that keeps skipping, but the message remains true.)
So without further ado, another bean recipe. This time it's Super Quick Black Bean Soup.
Combine 3 cups of water, 1 -16 ounce jar of medium salsa (or mild, your call), 1 -16 ounce can of black beans, low sodium, and 3 table spoons of a chicken or vegetable soup base. Heat and eat. You can also add one tablespoon of chili powder and some Tabasco sauce, if that floats your boat. Spicier foods also increase your metabolism, have I ever mentioned that?
