A hearty member of the vegetable family, beans make for an excellent source of protein and fiber without the saturated fat. In fact, beans could almost be considered a diabetic superfood.

You’ll find that there are many benefits to eating legumes. Let’s find out about a few of them!

#1 They are Low In Calories

One-third of a cup of black beans contains about 75 calories, yet offers about 5 grams of protein. This is an excellent addition to meals or even as a replacement for meat. Many diabetics are advised to lose some weight or keep their weight under control as part of their self-care plan. Beans can help satiate your appetite without busting your calorie budget.

#2 They’re Full Of Complex Carbohydrates

Well, beans do have carbs, but they are not simple sugars. These little nutrition packets are filled with protein and fiber. This helps to slow the digestion of the starches, keeping you from dealing with blood sugar spikes after meals.

#3 They Contain Essential Minerals

Certain minerals are not usually found in large quantities in the Western diet. These include potassium and magnesium. Thankfully, beans are a good source of both these minerals. There does appear to be a link between magnesium and diabetes, too. Many have trouble maintaining a stable level of this mineral as the body flushes out excess blood sugar through urination. Certain electrolytes, like magnesium, can get depleted.

Different Types To Sample

Visit the grocery store and head to the canned food aisle. You’ll see that a wide variety of legumes are available. If you are considering incorporating a few into your diet, try some of these as side dishes or even main courses.

• black beans
• red beans
• lima beans
• pinto beans
• navy beans
• chickpeas

You can season them with salt, pepper, or a mix of herbs and spices. Sprinkle them into salads. Add them to burritos. Or mash them into a spread. Whatever you do, get more beans into your diet.