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I am a team member of Get Fresh Daily, an amazing organization rooted in health, wellness and culture. Each week I write a nutrition spotlight for a seasonal fruit/vegetable for our newsletter. I decided to start sharing these spotlights on my blog! Check out the spotlight for this week below:
Green beans (aka string beans) are a common vegetable found on millions of dinner tables throughout the world. Simple, crisp, delicious and highly nutritious are the adjectives that come to mind when describing this versatile vegetable.
Green beans are an excellent choice for promoting heart health as they are low in sodium and just 1 cup of raw green beans offers almost 3 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein. Fiber is integral for heart health and may help lower LDL (bad cholesterol). Fiber is also a useful tool in blood sugar management. Additionally, green beans are a great source of vitamins A & C, folate and manganese. They also contain a lesser amount of important minerals including calcium, iron, potassium and zinc. So, they make an amazing addition to the diet of anyone looking for chronic disease prevention (i.e. everybody)!
Green beans are also a great choice for individuals with digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and acid reflux because they are low in indigestible carbohydrates (referred to as FODMAPs). Eating too many foods rich in FODMAPs may increase gas, pain, diarrhea, and constipation. Eating lower FODMAPs foods such as green beans may offer digestive relief for those with sensitive stomachs.
Choose green beans that are bright green in color, free of black spots, and firm/crisp to the touch. Store fresh green beans in a plastic bag and they are best used within one week.
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