That's Fit

Each week, we'll be naming a Super Food and offering unique ways to use those Super Foods that pack nutritional power. After all, you are what you eat -- make it count!

It's no secret -- beans are great for you. In fact, we've told you before on You Are What You Eat about the amazing health benefits of two common types of beans -- kidney beans and garbanzo beans, aka chick peas. But when it comes to beans, don't limit yourself; there are other healthy beans you should make sure you're eating too. Case in point? Black beans.

Black Beans aren't a staple of most people's diets, but maybe they should be -- In addition to being a great source of fiber and protein, black beans also contain valuable antioxidants and vitamins, including manganese, magnesium, folate and iron. All that and they're virtually fat free. You can't do much better than that, huh?
But just what will black beans do for you? Well, for starters, they'll lower your risk of a heart attack. They'll also increase your lifespan. That's not all -- they'll reduce your risk of cancer. Suffer from sensitivity to sulfites? Black beans will help. But if all this sounds pretty run-of-the-mill to you, consider how eating black beans can help you feel better right away: Eating them helps control your blood sugar levels, thereby increasing your energy and reducing the risk of the mid-afternoon blahs, so be sure to enjoy some on your lunch salad!

How do you enjoy black beans? Here are some suggestions:

• Enjoy some fresh Black Bean salsa on trans fat-free whole grain tortilla chips.
  
• Add them to a salad with some avocado, Cajun chicken breast, corn and dates, and top with a lime vinaigrette -- this is one of my favourite salads.
  
• Warm up with a yummy bowl of black bean soup.
• Plus many more!

Bottom line: Black beans are really easy to work with. Add them to any salad or wrap, or enjoy them on their own! They're rich and velvety in flavour and have a mild flavour.