You might be familiar with the expression “Beans, please.” It literally means “I’m famished” or “I’m starving.” And it often pops up when someone is describing a scenario where they are way beyond their calorie limit and need to eat something quickly. This expression originates from the United Kingdom, where a dinner plate is known as a “beansperth” or “bangers and mash.” So, when you hear “beans,” you know that you’re going to be served something quick and cheap that will fill you up.
Although there is some truth to the assertion that beans are cheap food and can be used as an efficient way to gain weight for a low cost, you should never underestimate the power of beans in your weight loss plan.
Many people underestimate the power of beans because of their association with a time-consuming and cumbersome process of preparing them. But when you consider how long it takes to prepare delicious, healthy food like chicken, fish, or steak, it’s not hard to understand why someone would choose beans over more expensive and time-consuming foods. Beans can be prepared in less than 10 minutes and require very little effort. You can use this to your advantage as you lose weight. You’ll find that it’s easier to prepare food that’s healthy and high in fiber if you’re short on time, and these are the perfect foods for that.
Why Are Beans So Important For Your Diet?
If you’re looking for an inexpensive and nutritious food source that is easy to prepare, you should consider adding beans to your diet. Beans are an excellent source of fiber which your body needs in adequate amounts, particularly if you’re trying to lose weight. Beans also contain a significant amount of protein which you need if you’re looking to put on weight since protein helps in building muscle mass. So, not only are beans extremely affordable and easy to prepare, but they provide your body with crucial nutrients needed for good health.
The best part about beans is that they don’t have to be cooked, so you can consume them in any form. This allows you to get some bang for your buck, as well as maintain a healthy diet while doing your best to lose weight. You can also prepare them in advance and just throw them in the fridge if you’re feeling hungry later on. This way, cooking them will be very easy and fast too.
You may not always have the time to prepare elaborate meals during the week. This is why it’s crucial that you add convenient and healthy options to your diet. If you’re looking to lose weight, it’s best to choose foods that are high in fiber and protein since these are the two categories that contribute the most to weight loss. You should also consider adding some beans to your diet since these are an excellent source of fiber and you won’t go wrong with them if you’re trying to lose weight. Ultimately, you want to eat food that makes you feel happy and comfortable, and the food products that we look forward to eating the most are those that taste the best. So, if you want to enjoy your diet and continue eating healthy, then cooking your own food is always the best option. It not only tastes better, but you know what’s in it too.
How Do You Prepare Beans For Consumption?
Once you’ve bought your ingredients, it’s time to get started. Simply grab a large pot, fill it with water, and place it on the stove. Once the water comes to a boil, add your ingredients and reduce the heat. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes before taking it off the stove. The tough pieces of meat will fall apart, and the beans will become tender. This is when you know that your food is ready.
If you prefer to prepare your beans thoroughly, then you can do so by placing the pot on the stove. Bring the water to a boil, remove from heat, and let sit for 1 hour. During this time, the beans will become tender. Once this happens, serve and enjoy! You can also use this method to cook rice, pasta, or other starchy foods.
The Advantages Of Eating Beans
It is well known that beans are an excellent source of fiber, and this fiber is vital for good digestion and elimination. This is vital for those trying to lose weight as it helps keep the food within you intact for longer. By remaining intact, you’re less likely to reach for a snack or a quick meal in between meals. So, the fibers within beans help to keep you full and less prone to binge eating or quick snack attacks which can leave you overeating.
Beans also have a high protein content. Most people are not aware of how much protein they need in their diet to maintain their desired weight. A standard serving of beans contains about 6 grams of protein. So, if you’re trying to lose weight, adding beans to your diet can help you reach your target weight more quickly. This is because protein helps build muscle mass, and muscle mass helps burn fat. So, if you’re looking to shed those extra pounds, then beans are a perfect choice as they contain all the essential nutrients needed to do so.
Finally, when you prepare your own food, you know exactly what is in it. You know what’s been added and what isn’t. There’s no hiding food additives or preservatives if you prepare your own food. This makes it simpler to avoid foods with added sugar or wheat which may cause health problems. So, if you’re looking to shed some pounds, then consider preparing your own meals using natural foods instead of manufactured foods which are loaded with preservatives.
To wrap things up, let’s review some of the main advantages of eating beans.
- They are quite affordable. A cup of cooked beans is only about 100 calories, and this amount will fill you up for less than $1.
- They are easy to prepare. Even people who consider themselves to be inexperienced cooks can knock up a quick and easy meal if they have a kitchen full of spices and ingredients like beans.
- They are filling. A cup of cooked beans is about 10% protein and fiber, leaving you with 90% empty space. This means that they are filling enough to stay within your calorie limit without being too rich in calories to keep you satiated.
- They are a good source of nutrition. Beans contain fiber, protein, and many important vitamins and minerals which our bodies need to function. They also provide us with some B-complex vitamins which help in producing energy as well as keep our blood healthy.
- They don’t need to be cooked. This makes them easy to prepare as you don’t have to worry about the texture which you can leave as it is. Simply drain and eat! It’s that easy.
The Disadvantages Of Eating Beans
Although eating beans is very beneficial, it doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. There are several disadvantages to eating beans. Let’s examine some of them.