Red Beans for Weight Loss: Benefits and Uses

Beans are a plant in the legume family and are among the oldest crops in the world. In Russia, it became known in the XII-XIII century and was then called French beans. At first it was grown for decorative purposes, but afterwards it was appreciated as a vegetable crop. Red beans are useful for weight loss and can be used for cooking various dishes.

Red Bean Composition

This vegetable crop has a unique composition. It contains the following nutrients:

• vitamins K, C, E;
• copper;
• manganese;
• potassium;
• phosphorus;
• iron;
• magnesium;
• zinc;
• calcium;
• selenium;
• sodium.

B vitamins - folates, thiamine, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, choline, riboflavin, nicotinic acid.

Beans are quite high in calories - 337 kcal per 100 g of product. The culture contains about 46% carbohydrates, 22.5% protein, 15% dietary fiber, 11% water and only 1-2% fat. The composition of the product also includes interchangeable and essential amino acids, fatty acids.

The benefits of red beans for weight loss

Red bean has a diuretic effect. Its regular use will help get rid of excess fluid in the body, which means weight loss and the prevention of edema.

As a product for weight loss, red beans are also attractive in the following properties:

1. Stabilization of the endocrine system - often it is malfunctions in its functioning that are the cause of excess weight.
2. Normalization of the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Removal of toxins and other harmful substances from the body.
4. Activation of metabolic processes.
5. Regulation of cholesterol.
6. Stabilization of blood sugar.
7. Strengthening immunity.
8. Stabilization of the nervous system - diet is stressful for the body.
9. Improving the condition of hair and skin.

Possible harm and contraindications

Beans are very nutritious and healthy, but in some cases can be harmful. The crude product contains toxic substances, therefore the culture is consumed after heat treatment or in canned form - in these cases, the harmful properties are neutralized.

Red beans contain purines, so it is not recommended for gout or the risk of its development. Among the contraindications include a number of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - gastritis, colitis, ulcer, cholecystitis.

Another negative feature of the product is the promotion of bloating and flatulence. You can reduce this effect of culture on the body by adding dill to it.

Red beans should be used with caution in old age and children under 12 years of age. Such people are advised to include this product in their diet no more than once a week.

The use of red beans for weight loss

This vegetable crop can be consumed independently or as part of various dishes. You can use both dry beans and canned products. In the second case, it should be remembered that in addition to beans and water, canned food contains salt. This must be taken into account, since excess sodium in the diet is harmful.

Dry red beans can be consumed only after heat treatment, otherwise it will do more harm than good.It is recommended to pre-soak the product for 10-12 hours in cold water to get rid of harmful substances.

After soaking, the liquid must be drained, pour a fresh portion, put the beans to cook. After boiling, change the water again. Cook the beans for about 1.5 hours on moderate heat. Add salt to the finished dish. Beans can be cooked without preliminary soaking, but the cooking time should be increased by 2-2.5 times.

Nutritionists believe that various legumes should occupy about a tenth of the diet of a losing weight person. On a diet, you can use this product 2-3 times a week.

For weight loss, it is useful to drink a decoction of red beans. Soak it for an hour, then boil until cooked, and drink the broth for dinner with any diet fruit. Just a glass of drink at the reception.

Red Bean Diet Recipes

This culture has a neutral taste, so you can combine it with many products. As a side dish, red beans can be consumed separately or in tandem with various vegetables - carrots, onions, bell peppers, Beijing cabbage, tomatoes. For weight loss should be limited to stewing, baking, steaming.

On a diet, you can also use the following recipes with red beans:

1. Vegetable stew. You can cook such a dish in a stewpan or slow cooker. It is necessary to pre-soak a glass of red beans and boil it until half ready. At this time, cut the zucchini into cubes, onions in half rings, tomatoes into cubes, having previously removed the skin (scald with boiling water). Add the remaining vegetables and a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the beans, simmer for half an hour. At the end of cooking, salt the stew and season with chopped garlic. Serve with herbs.
2. Chicken Salad. In addition to red beans, this dish will require boiled chicken, Beijing cabbage and bell pepper. All products can be taken in arbitrary quantities, vegetable oil with lemon juice is suitable for refueling. Beans can be taken canned.
3. Mushroom soup. The dish is cooked in chicken broth. It is necessary to fry onions for a minute in vegetable oil, add chopped champignons and 2 tbsp. stew, simmer for 2 minutes. Bring the rest of the broth to a boil, pour in canned or pre-cooked beans, after boiling add onion-mushroom mixture. At the end of cooking, add salt, season with garlic and a sprig of thyme.

Red beans are attractive in their high content of vitamins, minerals and a minimum amount of fat. Such a product is useful for losing weight and is nutritious. In the diet it can be included in various forms, but the method of preparation and the ingredients used must correspond to dietary nutrition.

Video: Bean Diet