Chili is a family favorite and great for casual entertaining. It's nice to know that this dish, easy to prepare and fun to make on weekends for quick meals-on-the-go during the week, can also be a really healthy choice. When you follow a black bean beef chili recipe, you create a meal packed with nutrition.
Black beans are native to North and South America, but are now found all over the world. They are small, tasty legumes with many health benefits. They are packed with minerals, phytonutrients, bioflavanoids, and fiber. They are considered 'good carbs', being lower on the glycemic scale than many other legumes.
Although almost three-quarters of the calories in these beans come from carbohydrates, they are still ranked low among foods that affect blood sugar levels. Their carbohydrates are called 'resistant', since they are hard to digest. For this reason, they don't raise blood glucose levels and cause an insulin spike. However, the carbohydrates do break down in the large intestine, making them a good overall source of nutrition. They also have lots of fiber, which is important for colon health and efficient digestion.
The black bean is rich in phytonutrients, which are concentrated in the seedcoat. They rank with red onions, red cabbage, and blueberries in flavanoid content. They contain anthocyanins, another class of nutrient that gives color to vegetables. They are a good source of quercetin, an immune-system booster that helps prevent or reduce allergic reactions to pollen and also lowers cholesterol.
Black beans are one of the best sources of zinc, since the mineral is especially bio-available in these legumes. Men especially need a consistent supply of zinc for prostate health, but all benefit from it, especially in cold and flu season. The phytates in the beans, which act as antioxidants in the body, don't seem to bind the zinc, as researchers had feared.
These small, flavorful beans work in any recipe. Merely substitute them for red kidney, white, or pinto beans. Canned beans can be added directly, but dried beans should be rinsed and culled. Many people like to presoak them to make them more digestible. Just cover them with cold water and allow them to stand overnight. For faster cooking, bring them to a boil, remove from heat, and allow to stand until the beans are tender. You can use the soaking water for the final dish or pour it off and just use the beans.
Great chili starts with sauteed onions and well browned beef, either ground or cut into cubes. Add pre-soaked or canned beans, garlic, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes with their liquid. Add chili powder (try organic for stronger, fresher flavor), cumin, oregano, salt, and any other seasonings you like. It's best to wait until serving to add black pepper, to preserve its antioxidant value. Add fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, and/or sour cream before serving, if you like.
Use black beans for their great taste and their nutritional benefits. Chili is only one of the great dishes you can make. Try these nutritious legumes in soups, salads, dips, and tacos. Enjoy.
Black beans are native to North and South America, but are now found all over the world. They are small, tasty legumes with many health benefits. They are packed with minerals, phytonutrients, bioflavanoids, and fiber. They are considered 'good carbs', being lower on the glycemic scale than many other legumes.
Although almost three-quarters of the calories in these beans come from carbohydrates, they are still ranked low among foods that affect blood sugar levels. Their carbohydrates are called 'resistant', since they are hard to digest. For this reason, they don't raise blood glucose levels and cause an insulin spike. However, the carbohydrates do break down in the large intestine, making them a good overall source of nutrition. They also have lots of fiber, which is important for colon health and efficient digestion.
The black bean is rich in phytonutrients, which are concentrated in the seedcoat. They rank with red onions, red cabbage, and blueberries in flavanoid content. They contain anthocyanins, another class of nutrient that gives color to vegetables. They are a good source of quercetin, an immune-system booster that helps prevent or reduce allergic reactions to pollen and also lowers cholesterol.
Black beans are one of the best sources of zinc, since the mineral is especially bio-available in these legumes. Men especially need a consistent supply of zinc for prostate health, but all benefit from it, especially in cold and flu season. The phytates in the beans, which act as antioxidants in the body, don't seem to bind the zinc, as researchers had feared.
These small, flavorful beans work in any recipe. Merely substitute them for red kidney, white, or pinto beans. Canned beans can be added directly, but dried beans should be rinsed and culled. Many people like to presoak them to make them more digestible. Just cover them with cold water and allow them to stand overnight. For faster cooking, bring them to a boil, remove from heat, and allow to stand until the beans are tender. You can use the soaking water for the final dish or pour it off and just use the beans.
Great chili starts with sauteed onions and well browned beef, either ground or cut into cubes. Add pre-soaked or canned beans, garlic, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes with their liquid. Add chili powder (try organic for stronger, fresher flavor), cumin, oregano, salt, and any other seasonings you like. It's best to wait until serving to add black pepper, to preserve its antioxidant value. Add fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, and/or sour cream before serving, if you like.
Use black beans for their great taste and their nutritional benefits. Chili is only one of the great dishes you can make. Try these nutritious legumes in soups, salads, dips, and tacos. Enjoy.
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