10 Easy Ways to Eat More Beans!

Are you a fan of beans or lentils? It's one of the things that, thankfully, is easy for my son to eat (and I don't just mean baked beans!).

Legumes, such as chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils, and peas, are little powerhouses of nutrition. They're a gift from God, packed with fibre, protein, and essential nutrients that support your body in all kinds of amazing ways.

They may not grow quite as tall as Jack’s beanstalk (though the tallest ever recorded was over 80 feet! 😲), but they can help build your health from the inside out.

Why include more legumes?

Eating a wide variety of plant-based foods is one of the best ways to nourish your body, support digestion, balance blood sugar levels, and even aid in weight management. And legumes are a key part of that.

Here are a few of their many benefits:

* High in fibre – for steady energy and a happy gut

* Rich in plant-based protein – great for strength and fullness

* Support heart health by lowering cholesterol and inflammation

* Packed with nutrients – like iron, folate, and magnesium

* Help you feel satisfied – to avoid constant grazing or cravings

10 Easy Ways to Eat More Beans

1. Soup it Up – Add lentils, chickpeas, or black beans to soups and stews.

2. Spread the Love – Try hummus or a homemade bean dip on toast or with veggies.

3. Power Up Salads – Toss chickpeas or kidney beans into your salad for a fibre and protein boost.

4. Blend into Smoothie – Sneak in some cooked white beans for a creamy, protein-rich smoothie!

5. Roast and Snack – Crunchy roasted chickpeas make a brilliant alternative to crisps.

6. Build a Brilliant Bowl – Pair cooked lentils or black beans with roasted veg, grains, and a drizzle of dressing.

7. Bean Burgers – Make your own with mashed beans, herbs, and oats - so easy and satisfying. (Look out for a recipe for these in the next Fitfish for a Fiver pack)

8. Pasta Perfection – Try lentil or chickpea pasta for a fibre-rich twist on a classic meal.

9. Wrap Time – Swap meat for spiced beans in wraps, burritos, or fajitas.

10. Bulk Up Dishes – Add legumes to curries, casseroles, or bolognese to stretch meals and boost nutrition.

I still love one of the first Fitfish recipes, the Butternut Squash and Lentil Dahl, have you tried it yet?

Just pop all of these into the slow cooker on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours

• 1 clove garlic crushed

• 1 x 500g approx. bag of chopped frozen butternut squash

• 1 tin chopped tomatoes

• 300g dry red lentils

• 1 tsp. cumin

• 1tsp coriander

• 1 tsp. turmeric

• 1/2 tsp. chilli powder

• 1 tbsp. mango chutney

• 1l chicken or veg stock

• You can also add frozen peas and soya beans near the end

Wishing you lots of tasty bean-filled meals this week!