Magical Beans

Beans are magical indeed. Here are 4 reasons why beans are better for you than meat or dairy:
1. Beans are rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber slows digestion, steadies blood sugar levels, and helps lower LDL (the bad cholesterol). Insoluble fiber goes through your digestive track undigested, adding bulk to your diet, and acting like a natural laxative. It improves digestion and speeds the excretion of wastes, toxins, and excess sex hormones from your body.
2. Beans have just the right amount of healthful plant protein. They are especially high in tryptophan, one of the nine essential amino acids, and one that boosts serotonin levels. Serotonin is a “feel good” neurotransmitter that helps regulate your mood, sleep patterns, and appetite.
3. Beans are also rich sources of several phytonutrients like flavonoids and phenolic acids that protect against cancers, inflammation, and heart disease.
4. Harder-to-find vitamins and minerals that beans can boast include folate, thiamine, vitamin K, iron, potassium, molybdenum, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, and copper.

Try eating at least one cup of beans a day for sustainable energy, to help promote satiety, lower cholesterol levels, and for continued optimal health.

Here are some of my favorite recipes with beans:
Hummus