Thread: beans the musical fruit

Okay, are beans considered a protein or a complex carbohydrate? If both, which is more? I am trying to eat a bit of protein with each small meal of the day (body for life) Do beans count?

Also, Edamame, Protein, calcium? What is edamame the richest in nutrient-wise?

I know someone out there will know this. Thanks guys,r:;

Beans contain complex carbohydrates, but they also contain protein. However, unlike meat, beans are not a complete protein (except soy beans). You need to also consume other plant protein sources during the day, in addition to beans, in order to get a complete protein.

Go Ask Alice!: Complete and incomplete proteins in grains and vegetables?

Wow! informative. How do you know which incomplete proteins can be eaten together to make a complete protein?

Originally Posted by HOOKEDNOVICE

Wow! informative. How do you know which incomplete proteins can be eaten together to make a complete protein?

Websites/books/etc directed at vegetarians often provide this info as it's very important for complete nutrition.

ETA: beans and whole grain rice make up a complete protein, as an example.

Deborah

note- you don't have to count them as protein OR carb- they are both, they 'count' as both- if I counted them seperately, there is no way I could eat the 'recommended' amount of any category for pregnancy! as far as combining for a complete protein- latest is you don't have to eat them together in the same meal- so you can snack on beans/lentils in the afternoon to complement whole grains at another time in the day.

Beans and grains together made a complete protein. Peanutbutter sandwiches? Complete protein! Like another poster said, you don't have to eat them at the same time.

Bean + grain = complete protein

We are fortunate to have such a wide variety of beans and grains at our fingertips, so as not to get bored. After awhile, you start to realize that people from MANY cultures have been eating like this, traditionally, for a long time.

Get ye to your library and look up vegetarian cooking. And make sure you understand the business about complete protein (probably in each of those books on being a veggie.) Or keep asking folks to tell you and keep reading until you have it, because:

A friend of mine said of his bachelor days: "Oh, I almost died because I became a vegetarian and didn't know what I was doing, and didn't get any protein."

If you look on the label, you can see how much is protein and how much is carbohydrate, they usually break down where the calories come from.

The proportion will vary, but I think most beans have more carb than protein, but definitely enough protein to 'count' toward your requirement for the day. Probably 25% protein and the most of the rest is carb, with a dab of fat?

I love beans! I eat them at least once a day, usually for lunch, with a whole grain such as brown rice, quinoa, or polenta. Quinoa, by the way, is a grain that is also a complete protein. Just be sure to rinse it thoroughly before cooking, to avoid an unpleasant aftertaste.

I follow a very strict food plan and in my plan beans can be either a carb in a meal or a protein. A protein serving is 1 cup. As a carb the serving is 1/2 cup.

I've been vegetarian for 21 years. ..g.:
It's REALLY easy to get complete proteins.
If you eat dairy or eggs- those are complete proteins. Of course they usually are accompanied by more fat so you want to not get all your protein from them.
Combining legumes with nuts, legumes with seeds or legumes with whole grains will also provide you with complete proteins.
As a couple people said- you do not have to combine them in the same meal. As long as you have them.
Also- as you chose the title "the musical fruit"- it might be helpful to hear that your body will (most likely) adjust to eating more legumes (and whole grains if that is a change for you).
Practical choices: Daal with rice (yum Indian food!), vegetarian chili with corn-bread, black beans and rice, bean burrito, hummous with bread, foul medammas with bread...
Now I'm hungry!!! lol.

Bean + grain = complete protein

Good rule of thumb. Thanks everyone. I do eat meat, but it was suggested to "eat a bit of protein with each meal." Wasn't sure what a "bit" was. NOw I know that I am meeting my protein goals with 6 oz of chicken or fish a day and the rest lentils, whole grains, PB, etc.

I knew you guys would come through. thanks.

Originally Posted by dunyah

I love beans! I eat them at least once a day, usually for lunch, with a whole grain such as brown rice, quinoa, or polenta. Quinoa, by the way, is a grain that is also a complete protein. Just be sure to rinse it thoroughly before cooking, to avoid an unpleasant aftertaste.

I follow a very strict food plan and in my plan beans can be either a carb in a meal or a protein. A protein serving is 1 cup. As a carb the serving is 1/2 cup.

How exactly do you buy/prepare/eat Quinoa? What's your favorite way?

To cook quinoa:

1 cup quinoa. Rinse the grains thoroughly under cold running water (I use a basket-shaped wire mesh sieve)
Bring 2 cups water to boil in a saucepan. Add rinsed quinoa. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly and cook for 15 min. Allow to sit for a minute or two and fluff with a fork. Good as a substitute for rice or couscous in a meal.

To use up cold cooked quinoa: Cook veggies of choice in a wide fry pan, I like onions, green peppers, broccoli, just about anything. Add chopped leftover protein of choice, chicken, etc. Or use beans or tofu (saute the tofu, sliced and pressed in a towel, separately with garlic and seasonings of choice). When the veggies are almost done and the protein is hot, stir in the cooled cooked quinoa and saute a bit until it is slightly toasted. Season with Bragg's or soy sauce, pepper, etc. Easy, quick, cheap, nutritious, filling.

Curried quinoa is my fave- carmelize onions & garlic, add favorite curry spice blend just before onions caramelize so they toast too, add cooked quinoa & a little bit of tomato paste & water (the tomato paste as opposed to sauce 'cause it gives you that fuller, cooked forever flavor, like you actually cooked your curry all day) & cook until everything is nice & evenly heated- yum! can add peas or other veggies if you want to.

Also great added to soups, etc. Quinoa is a complete protein so you don't *have* to add another protein source, but old habits die hard...

New fav beans meal--black bean tacos. Use whole grain taco shells. In fry pan I carmelize onions in a little olive oil, add some peppers, diced tomatoes, cilantro, and a cup of cooked black beans. Season with red pepper flakes. Eat with wholegrain taco shells, lettuce, low fat sour cream or plain Greek yogurt. Black olives are also a nice addition. Sometimes I add ground turkey or ground chicken.

Originally Posted by Souzan

New fav beans meal--black bean tacos. Use whole grain taco shells. In fry pan I carmelize onions in a little olive oil, add some peppers, diced tomatoes, cilantro, and a cup of cooked black beans. Season with red pepper flakes. Eat with wholegrain taco shells, lettuce, low fat sour cream or plain Greek yogurt. Black olives are also a nice addition. Sometimes I add ground turkey or ground chicken.

*slobber*

Originally Posted by HOOKEDNOVICE

How exactly do you buy/prepare/eat Quinoa? What's your favorite way?

I use cooked quinoa in place of bulgur for tabbouleh -- this gives the tabbouleh a slight crunch.