Archive for legumes

Food Focus: Lentils

Lentils are legumes that are packed with nutrition. They are low in calories and high in fiber. Lentils also contain high levels of magnesium and folate, which are beneficial for heart health.

Here are some good reasons to enjoy lentils on a regular basis:

They are good for your heart.
They are high in fiber, so eating them regularly should help stabilize blood sugar and help balance cholesterol levels in the body.
They are high in iron.
They are packed with B Vitamins, which are important for the healthy functioning of various body systems, including the nervous system, the digestive system and the immune system.
They are very high in protein – much more than most plant-based foods.

Sources:

http://www.healthdiaries.com/

Food Focus: Beans

(This article appeared in the February, 2011 issue of A Healthy You.)

Beans. They are good for the heart. Beans are found in most traditional cultures as a staple food, offering grounding and strengthening properties that enhance endurance:
Beans, or legumes, which include peas and lentils, are an excellent source of plant-based protein. They offer a highly usable, highly absorbable source of calcium for the body. A very inexpensive source of high nutrition, beans can be rich, delicious and satisfying

Lack Sexual Energy?

Lack of sexual energy is often due to overtaxed adrenal glands and kidneys. Beans are known for strengthening these organs (ever noticed the shape of a bean?) and can help restore vital energy as well as sexual energy.

Worried about gas?

Beans have a reputation for causing digestive distress, but this is usually because they have been undercooked or improperly prepared. To help reduce gas-forming properties, soak beans overnight prior to cooking, increase cooking time, add spices like bay leaf, oregano or cumin, or add kombu (a sea vegetable) when cooking.