Tangy Mexican Bean Salad

Dietary Info:

• Gluten-Free
• Vegan
• Refined Sugar Free
• Dairy-Free
• Nut Free
• Vegetarian

Ingredient Hotspot: Black Beans (aka. Turtle beans)

Black beans are a type of legume, known for their high fibre and protein content. They also contain helpful amounts of B vitamins, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese and phosphorus. Black beans have a lower glycemic-index (lower GI), meaning that the carbohydrates in the beans are slowly absorbed into the bloodstream, giving you longer-lasting energy. Because of the vitamin, mineral and phytochemical content of beans, they can lower your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and type 2 diabetes. They can also assist in cases of constipation because of the high fibre content and can be protective against cancers, especially colon cancer!

As you would know, beans often make people gassy after consumption. This is because they contain certain complex carbohydrates that often cannot be digested by the body due to a lack of the enzyme, alpha-galactosidase. If you’d like to incorporate more beans and legumes into your diet, slowly introduce them and ensure the beans have been soaked or sprouted as this eliminates some of the digestive issues.