Want Free Gas? Eat Beans!!!!

www.freedigitalphotos.net 

What better way to get you gassed up about something than talking about the very thing that gives you just that!

Nutritional Two Minute Tidbits 

Beans! One of the secrets to a long and healthy life, is in the food that we eat. All foods are not created equal. Choosing and eating the right foods may help increase your life expectancy as well as the quality of your life. I've been going to the doctor lately and she's really been incredibly helpful in steering me in the right nutritional direction. I've recently discovered that I have issues with my thyroid, but that's another topic for a different day. Today we're talking about beans! 

Beans – Beans are dirty! You may think the main reason to soak beans is to minimize gas, and while it helps to remove the indigestible complex sugars from the outer coating of the beans, soaking beans not only cleans them, but it also allows for shorter cooking times and that preserves the most nutrients. According to the California Dry Bean Advisory Board, proteins, enzymes, and other nutrients are stored inside the bean.  Beans of all kinds (kidney, navy, lentils, chickpeas, Northern) are high in protein.  This is considered a plant protein so it contains very little fat, carbs and calories.  If fiber is a problem in your diet, eating a healthy portion of beans each day can keep your digestive system healthy.

More information about dried beans and how to soak 'em and cook 'em can be found here:

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/guides/beans.php