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Okay, I'm confused. Depending on WHO you ask among experts, it appears that there are conflicting opinions regarding legumes like say "Black Beans" -- which I happen to love. Some say that the natural fiber in beans are not only really good to have in your diet, but also a great source of protein that you can, and should, eat in abundance. But, when you read diets like say "The Paleo Diet", beans are not allowed. I enjoy beans because they tend to make me feel full longer and not crave eating again so soon....AND the seem like a really healthy thing to eat. I generally eat a can a day...usually for a late breakfast or lunch.

Thoughts?

I was doing paleo for a bit and generally liked it but one of my biggest issues with it was banning beans. I can't believe that beans can be that bad for you.

This is why I use critical thinking when it comes to any diet...particularly the Paleo, since that's what I primarily eat.

Beans = win. In fact, I'm eating a plate of Baby Lima Beans as I type this.

Beans have lectins and phytic acid. Although not all sources are in agreement, a large body of people believe that you can remove (or at least significantly reduce) phytic acid levels in grains by simply soaking them in water for up to two days. I personally do this and all it requires is that I soak beans in bowls and change the water periodically so that they don't ferment and stink up my studio.

Phytic acid, although an antinutrient, binds to certain minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc. This is why people who eat foods high in phytic acid can have deficiencies in these minerals. But if you soak the phytic acid away you are creating enormous benefit and will better absorb these minerals found in legumes.

Also, canned beans tend to have lower levels of lectins than beans prepared at home. However, you can double the cooking time which is supposed to lower lectin levels. I have read that this is why canned beans have lower levels of lectins, they are cooked in large vats for longer, extended periods of time compared to home cooking.

I simply try to avoid canned foods in general because of the BPA controversy.


I eat beans and lentils daily. Now that I'm nearly 98% vegan it's my main source of protein.

I find contradictions with the Paleo diet. The Paleo diet advocates the consumption of nuts but nuts have high levels of phytic acid and nearly all plant sourced foods have lectins to some degree.

As a reminder, beans may have lectins that are toxic but cooking destroys much of them. However, most people consume their fruits raw which does nothing to denature the lectins in fruit.

Because of the inconsistencies I have noticed with Paleo and from my own experience (been eating beans as my predominant source of protein for the past two months) I am quite content with my diet. I had a bit of flatulence for the first six weeks but now it is almost completely gone.

By the way, you can soak nuts in water too in order to decrease phytic acid. I do this with my almonds and they expand and become lighter and easier to chew. Same concept, I soak them for a couple of days and then dry them in the oven for twenty minutes. Unlike beans, you have to dry the beans well in order to store them in a container. If you don't, you risk mold growth and that's no good! If you have outdoor space dry them in the sun on a picnic table. Sun-dried almonds...yum! Sounds tasty!

A diet without things such as baked beans, is a diet I will never be a part of..... Its the work of the devil I say.

So, does the "musical fruit" reference refer to what I think it does?

MuchoMasQueMusculo saidSo, does the "musical fruit" reference refer to what I think it does?

Indeed it is