We love to try new foods. Some are great. Some don’t measure up and some become staples in our kitchen. See what you think.
Beans are an inexpensive, nutrient-rich, fiber-rich, protein-alternative that is not only good for the environment and your health but they fit into the advice to eat a more plant-friendly diet. Yet too few of us eat them on a regular basis. Most people cite not knowing how to incorporate beans into a meal or not having the cooking skills or time to prepare them.
Bean VIVO (Seasoned Legumes Pouches – BeanVIVO) has introduced seasoned beans in shelf-stable, microwave pouches that can be heated in one minute. They can be eaten as is or used as the base for a meal. BeanVIVO is USDA Organic, vegan, and gluten free. On each pouch is a QR code that allows you to trace the origins of the beans from the farm to your fork.
Each pouch contains two, half cup servings or one generous one cup meal which can be combined with rice, pasta, or an additional protein source. BeanVIVO is available in 4 varieties.
Baja Black Beans – 1 pouch has 260 calories, 4 grams of fat, 14 grams of protein, 43 grams of carb (with 10 grams of fiber and 2 grams of total sugar and no added sugar), 3 milligrams of iron, 870 milligrams of sodium, and 1011 milligrams of potassium. We served this variety over rice and it made two generous servings.
Coconut Curry Chickpeas – 1 pouch has 320 calories, 10 grams of fat, 14 grams of protein, 46 grams of carb (with 9 grams of fiber and 9 grams of total sugar and 1 gram of added sugar), 4 milligrams of iron, 900 milligrams of sodium, and 601 milligrams of potassium. We used this variety as a supper soup for one.
Refired Pinto Beans – 1 pouch has 300 calories, 11 grams of fat, 13 grams of protein, 38 grams of carb (with 10 grams of fiber and 2 grams of total sugar and no added sugar), 3 milligrams of iron, 1060 milligrams of sodium, and 848 milligrams of potassium. We used this variety in a vegetarian soft taco dish.
Three Bean Vegan Chili – 1 pouch has 290 calories, 7 grams of fat, 16 grams of protein, 31 grams of carb (with 6 grams of fiber and 5 grams of total sugar and no added sugar), 5 milligrams of iron, 890 milligrams of sodium, and 1113 milligrams of potassium. We served this variety over rice and it made two generous servings.
Each variety is pleasantly seasoned but not overly so, allowing for the addition of extra foods.
