Everybody needs to consume a good variety of plant foods to obtain all the amino acids necessary for your body to receive enough proteins to meet its daily dietary requirements. This article discusses ways to maximize your intake of legumes (dried peas and beans) as part of a strong body and healthy lifestyle. Eating nuts, seeds and legumes can be part of a healthy alternative treatment to improve the body’s immune system and ward off possible illnesses.

Nuts, seeds, beans and peas (legumes) are a staple dietary food all over the world and are one of the best sources of soluble fiber. They’re also low in fat and high in good quality protein, a great health boosting combination. Beans can be very gassy as we very well know, but there are ways of combating that. Don’t let their “explosive” habit scare you off from some of the best natural nutrition available. Another important factor is that beans are very inexpensive in comparison to the “bang” they provide (excuse the pun).

Damaging LDL cholesterol in the blood is kept at lower levels by the soluble fiber in beans. helps This also lowers the risk of heart-disease by slowing down carbohydrate absorption. Soluble bean fiber helps to stabilize the peaks and valleys in blood glucose levels. This is particularly valuable to diabetes sufferers. Beans also provide substantial insoluble fiber, which can help keep constipation and other digestive disorders away.

Good healthy Legumes are also rich in four primary nutrients that are lacking in many peoples diet – folic acid, copper, iron, and magnesium. In addition, dried beans and peas are generally good sources of iron, which is especially helpful for people on a vegetarian diet.  Because of their fibrous nature, beans and peas are excellent in assisting the body’s immune system, by helping to remove free radicals and reducing fats and toxins.

Dried beans are available year-round and can be found in any well-stocked supermarket. But, you may need to visit a health-food store for more exotic bean varieties, such as cranberry beans, Oriental azuki (or adzuki) beans, yellow split peas and flageolets.

When stored properly, dried beans and peas will last for a year or more. They should ideally be kept in their unopened bag and after opening, they should be stored in a dry, tightly sealed glass jar in a cool, dark place. The back of your pantry would be the best place.  Beans don’t need to be dry to be beneficial for you, the good old can of baked beans is an excellent source of soluble fiber.


Preparation for Cooking. When cooking with dried varieties of beans and peas (legumes), it’s best to prepare ahead as the process can take some hours. Before soaking or cooking, sort through the beans (if your buying raw organic beans and peas), discarding bad beans, pebbles, and debris. Then rinse the beans in cold water. It’s best to leave them soaking overnight, for six to eight hours. This way they’ll cook faster and you’ll get rid of much of the gas-producing carbohydrates. If you haven’t got that time available to you, you can give the beans a quick-soak for about one hour. A quick-soak is by putting the beans in water and boiling for one minute, then turning off the heat and let the beans stand in the same water for further one hour. Your beans maybe less-firm but ready to cook.
After soaking, discard any floating beans, then discard the soaking water and add clean fresh water for the beans to cook in. Add enough water to cover the beans plus two inches. Bring to a boil, then simmer, keep covered until tender for about one to three hours, depending on the bean variety. You know they’re ready when you can easily stick them with a fork. Don’t forget that a cooked beans double or triple in volume so make sure you use a large saucepan and have plenty of water.

The simple bean is notoriously bland in taste, but that’s what makes them versatile. They can take on the spices and oils to add to a flavorsome dish. They can be added to soups, stews, salads, casseroles, and dips. Yummy………. The other good news is that this is great for the immune system.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The author take no responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. This article is only information and does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.

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