Do beans count as a serving of vegetables?

Factual Questions
1

I’m trying to get in 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day. I really like beans and would like to know if they count as one of those servings.

I’ve looked around a bit and I’ve seen some conflicting information. On the food pyramid, they seem to be listed with the meats and nuts. I’ve also seen sites that recommed a serving of beans as a way to get in all of your daily fruits and veggies.

It seems to methat beans offer a lot of the benefit of veggies – high fiber, no fat, etc.

So, what say the teeming millions?

2

I’ve been doing more research since posting this questions. This pdf – which was linked to from www.nutrition.gov-- seems to give conflicting information on beans. Throughout the first part of the document it implies that beans are separate from vegetables. Later – specifically page 24, box 12-- it implies that beans are vegetables /fruits that are a good source of folate and potassium.

So, do I count my baked beans as veggies or do I need to get in a couple more servings of spinach?

3

Baked Beans? I’d be sure to count them high as carbohydrates :slight_smile:

4

Baked beans, split eye, etc = Legume

Green beans = Vegetable.

5

Depends on the bean.

Lima beans, green beans, string beans are vegies for sure.

Pinto, baked, kidney, chick-pea, etc. more of a carb.

6

Maybe these links will help you:

http://www.oldwayspt.org/html/p_veg2.htm
http://www.vegsource.com/nutrition/pyramid.htm

And for the Kosher vegetarian:

http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Bistro/1150/kosher/

You’ll notice that legumes and beans are in their own category.

7

Yeah, I pretty much thought it was not a veggie but from the linked pdf I got this info:

(WHICH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
PROVIDE THE MOST NUTRIENTS?)

Sources of potassium
• Baked white or sweet potato, cooked greens
(such as spinach), winter (orange) squash
• Bananas, plantains, dried fruits such as apricots
and prunes, orange juice
• Cooked dry beans (such as baked beans) and
lentils

8

Lentils, kidney beans, northern white beans, chickpeas, azuki beans etc. are proteins… very high in protein and fiber.

Green beans, peas, etc. are a vegetable.

Canned baked beans in sauce (like Pork n Beans) are a sugar/ carbohydrate.

However, beans in the protein group share some of the same nutrients and phytochemicals as vegetables.

I also suggest the same links as ** Monty **

http://www.oldwayspt.org/html/p_veg2.htm

http://www.vegsource.com/nutrition/pyramid.htm

Vegsource is great for all your Vegetable-type (and Vegetarian-type questions).

9

Oh, I almost forgot soybeans!

(How could I forget soybeans, I’m from Japan… :slight_smile: )

Soybeans are VERY high in protein…

You can eat them in tofu, soymilk, etc.

10

Thanks for the information, everyone. I suppose I was just really hoping that beans were veggies because I love 'em. I can eat a whole can of beans in one sitting!

Looks like there’s going to be less beans and more spinach in my future.