Beans: A Meat Replacement

Beans are a protein packed food and can add many health benefits to anyone's diet. They are often not thought of a meat replacement at meals, but it is an option, especially for those low income households. Beans are a perfect substitution because they offer just as much protein as meat but are less expensive. There are about 7-10 grams of protein in a half cup of cooked beans. An ounce of beef has 7 grams.

Beans are also known for their fiber. About half a cup of cooked dry beans has 25-30% of the daily value of fiber. Fiber helps regulate bowel movements but also decreases the cholesterol in our blood. If you have high cholesterol, consider adding beans as a regular part of your diet to help control and lower your cholesterol levels.

The one of the biggest pluses of eating beans are that they are a relatively low calorie food. Half a cup of beans only has 100-120 calories, so you can have a bigger portion if you desire.

There are a variety of beans to try including kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, lima beans, black-eyed peas, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), split peas and lentils. They are available in dry, canned, and frozen forms. Next time you are at the grocery store, pick up some beans to incorporate into a meal!