Health & Nutrition

Beans are naturally low in total fat, contain no saturated fat or cholesterol, and provide important nutrients such as fiber, protein, calcium, iron, folic acid and potassium. Beans actually have more fiber than most whole grain foods.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends adults consume 1 1/2 cups of beans a week, yet the average weekly adult intake is less than one cup.

On the USDA's new MyPlate, beans and peas are the only foods that fit into two groups: vegetables and protein. One half-cup serving of cooked dry beans counts as one, one-ounce serving of vegetables in the vegetable group.