Eat Beans, Not Beings—10 Reasons to Stock Up on This Superfood

Posted by Calvin on January 03, 2025

TIL January 6 is National Bean Day—how cool is it that there’s an entire day dedicated to one of the most nutritious vegan foods? 🤯 The best way to celebrate is by eating beans, but you don’t have to limit your appreciation for this animal-friendly food to just one day. Here are 10 reasons to eat beans—not beings—all year round:

1. Beans Are Vegan: Beings Aren’t

Beans come from the seeds of bean plants—NOT animals. That means they’re 100% vegan, and the delicious taste and varied health benefits (more on that next) make them a vegan fave.   

2. They’re Packed With Protein

Check out these stats— black, pinto, and kidney beans have about 7 grams of protein and only .5 grams of fat in a ½ cup serving. 💪 That’s a much better deal than eggs (6 grams of protein and 5 grams of fat per serving) or meat like an Oscar Mayer Classic Beef Frank (5 grams of protein and 13 grams of fat per serving), and infinitely more compassionate.  

3. They’re Full of Fiber

Beans also have plenty of fiber, which helps with digestion and makes you feel fuller for longer. The navy and white varieties are the most fiber-rich options, but tbh, you can’t make a bad choice.  

4. You’ll Feel Less Tired

To avoid feeling tired 24/7, getting cold hands and feet, and dealing with headaches and dizziness, ensure you get enough iron—eating beans is a great way to do this. For the biggest dose of iron, go with the white, kidney, or pinto varieties.  

5. You’ll Get a Ton of Nutrients

Besides protein, fiber, and iron, beans are loaded with many vitamins and minerals, such as folate, potassium, and zinc. It’s extra important for vegans to get these nutrients, so try regularly incorporating this food into your diet.

6. There Are Countless Ways to Eat Beans

Beans are low-ley one of the most versatile foods out there—they’re popular worldwide in all kinds of dishes. 🌍 Try them with rice, tacos and burritos, or waffles and vegan cheese shreds. 

7. They’re Cost-Effective

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to save money, you’ll be thrilled to hear that beans are some of the cheapest and easiest-to-find foods. 🤑 Stocking up on this staple is one of the many smart, practical choices you can make to be vegan without breaking the bank. 

8. Eating Beans Instead of Beings is Heart-Healthy

Studies have shown that people who regularly eat beans may be less likely to experience heart issues. This makes sense when you realize that beans—like all vegan foods—have no cholesterol and are generally lower in saturated fat than animal-derived foods like eggs or dairy.

9. They Help Fight Disease

Antioxidants help protect your body from disease, so you should fill your plate with antioxidants-rich foods. If you hadn’t already guessed, beans are one of those foods. 😉

10. You’ll Fart

No, fr! Getting a bit gassy after eating beans is a sign that your digestive system is working well and that the healthy bacteria in your gut are breaking down fiber.

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There’s another ultra-nutritious vegan food with its own recognition day. July 26 is World Tofu Day—but it’s always a good time to learn more about this vegan staple.