When it comes to finding healthy ways to improve your daily menu, beans can be a very good option. These natural foods have a lot of the stuff that you need to function well, without a lot of the unwanted elements that are often found in processed foods, such as sugar, fat and sodium. Looking at the nutrition of navy beans versus other beans, or in contrast to other foods, can help you make good decisions about how to use these nutrient-packed natural foods in soups or prepared dishes for a better fitness meal plan.
Nutrition of Navy Beans: Calorie Counting
A serving of about 180 grams of navy beans contains around 250 calories. That's more calories per gram than a lot of green vegetables and fresh produce. This calorie count even approaches the caloric value of some processed foods. Looking at the nutrients that navy beans contain, however, can show you how using these beans in moderation can be part of a good, wholesome meal. For example, a bean salad may use only half of this serving size, and can contain other ingredients for a better overall nutritional value.
Nutrition of Navy Beans: Other Nutritional Facts
Navy beans are low in fat, sodium, and cholesterol. There's only 1 gram of fat in a 180 gram serving, and no significant cholesterol or sodium. Be aware, though, that canning navy beans adds a huge amount of sodium. Make sure that you look at nutritional data for canned items to make sure you're not exceeding daily recommended levels of salt or sodium to prevent some kinds of health risks.
In addition, navy beans have some nutritional elements that you might want in your meals, like 15 grams of protein, or a significant 19 grams of dietary fiber, making navy beans similar to some of the "roughage" that helps process fats and other elements in your body. There's also 40 grams of carbohydrates in the same serving of beans, which is something that you might want to think about when making your diet plan. Medical opinions differ on the role of carbs in a diet, but generally, doctors recommend a moderate amount of carbohydrates in a diet.
Nutrition of Navy Beans: Vitamins
Navy beans are a source of vitamin C and other nutrients like thiamin, also known as vitamin B1, an element that supports a healthy nervous system. There are also other minerals like phosphorus and manganese, and a whole lot of the folate that pregnant women need in their diets.
Overall, navy beans are a comparatively healthy natural food, although the carbs and calories can make them an unsuitable candidate for some diet plans. Keep looking for the right foods to fit into your fitness diet. You'll see how reading nutritional labels can pay off as part of an overall holistic wellness campaign that will increase your longevity and quality of life while helping you drop unwanted pounds.
