What's so great about beans?

[Junegoddess]

My body seems to be yanking me in the direction of Paleo eating... seems I'd be quite cozy in a cave (so long as there's a nice rug and a roaring fire). And it just now occurred to me to question beans (and legumes). I never eat many, but always think I ought to. Other than being cheap filler food, and having some minerals, what's so great about beans? Why would I want to eat them? Why are they highly-touted? What would I be missing out on if I removed them from my diet, in favor of eating like a cavewoman?

What else would I need to eat, to replace their beany goodness? Are they a unique source of any nutrient?

I really like green beans... so hopefully my body won't revolt against those if I only have them occasionally.

[425lisamarie]

I don't know what's SO great about them, but I love them and eat them often. I eat TF style, but veg so it's important for me for the protein. My kids and DH don't really liek beans but they are not veg so I just make myself special food.

[quietserena]

I was under the impression that oz for oz, beans had more minerals than any other common food. No source though so let me do some research.

Interesting read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bean but no nutritional info.

Here's some more concrete nutritional info but no comparison of any sort:
http://www2.state.id.us/bean/nutrition/value.htm

I love the Idaho Bean Commission!

However, if beans don't sit well with you, or you have other reasons not to eat them, by all means! I think for me personally, grain free is ok but both grain and bean free is much harder. Paleo seems impossible because there's no dairy either. Can I just come visit your cave? I'll bring a rug!

[cristeen]

Beans are chock full of vitamins and minerals, but nothing that you can't get from another source. You can look that up here. The main reason they are so prevalent is as a cheap source of protein. If you don't do well with them, not eating them isn't a big deal. We only eat them a handful of times a year... not because we're actively avoiding them, but because we just don't really care one way or the other about them.

[crunchy_mama]

It was my understanding that they have lots of nutrients, but they are not so easily absorbable. I think I do well with limited beans. I love some hummus or black bean dip and they make a good supplement to meat- but not enough by themselves.

[Junegoddess]

I think I'll not eat any beans for a few weeks (shouldn't be hard), and then try a few different ones. I haven't noticed any ill effects, but that doesn't mean much. I have kicked and screamed against the idea of going fully Paleo for a long time. It felt right, but I didn't wanna do it. I want to feel better, though, and thanks to my food intolerances I'm more than halfway there already.

If anyone wants to visit my cave, bring a rug and a stick to cook your meat on.

[crunchy_mama]

I like the idea of paleo, especially grain free, I think that works for me, but I love potatoes and feel good about eating them. Beans, only so in moderation. I also feel good about eating raw, but not everything. I would like to do some juicing- oh if money was unlimited!

[jamie79]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mama

oh if money was unlimited!

Isn't that the truth!