Legumes & Their Amazing Nutrition Profile

Did you know beans, peas, lentils, and peanuts are technically legumes? Peanut is usually classified as a nut due to its nutritional profile being closer to the nutritional profile of nuts due to its higher healthy fat content.

​Beans, peas, and lentils are usually called grains by most people, but their nutritional profile is different since they tend to have twice the amount of protein found in grains. Legumes have low quantities of the amino acid methionine. When paired with grains, that contain high amounts of methionine, they provide high quality plant-based protein. I’ll talk more about this type of pairing in a future blog post.

Red lentils, beans, chickpeas, and peas.

These are the reasons why legumes are so amazingly nutritious and practical:

• Higher in protein than other foods from plants

• Excellent source of fiber (usually more than 10 g fiber per cup)

• Healthy source of carbs - for energy

• Great source of B-vitamins, iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium

• Contain anti-cancer and cardiovascular promoting nutrients (phytonutrients)

• Cheaper than most minimally processed foods (you can buy a can of beans for one dollar)

• Low in sodium

• Fat-free or low in fat

• Gluten-free

• Can be soaked to be better digested.

Enjoy these nutritious foods,

Girlene