# Do beans count as a serving of vegetables? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 10, 2002, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-beans-count-as-a-serving-of-vegetables/113318 "2002-06-10T22:14:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tevya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@tevya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tevya)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-beans-count-as-a-serving-of-vegetables/113318/1 "2002-06-10T22:14:13Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![tevya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@tevya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tevya)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2002, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-beans-count-as-a-serving-of-vegetables/113318/2 "2002-06-10T23:39:43Z")
I’ve been doing more research since posting this questions. This [pdf](http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DietGd.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? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Cynical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-beans-count-as-a-serving-of-vegetables/113318/3 "2002-06-11T00:04:55Z")
Baked Beans? I’d be sure to count them high as carbohydrates 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-beans-count-as-a-serving-of-vegetables/113318/4 "2002-06-11T00:23:45Z")
Baked beans, split eye, etc = Legume Green beans = Vegetable. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-beans-count-as-a-serving-of-vegetables/113318/5 "2002-06-11T00:58:59Z")
Depends on the bean. Lima beans, green beans, string beans are vegies for sure. Pinto, baked, kidney, chick-pea, etc. more of a carb. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-beans-count-as-a-serving-of-vegetables/113318/6 "2002-06-11T01:07:55Z")
Maybe these links will help you: [http://www.oldwayspt.org/html/p\_veg2.htm](http://www.oldwayspt.org/html/p_veg2.htm) [http://www.vegsource.com/nutrition/pyramid.htm](http://www.vegsource.com/nutrition/pyramid.htm) And for the Kosher vegetarian: [http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Bistro/1150/kosher/](http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Bistro/1150/kosher/) You’ll notice that legumes and beans are in their own category. ---
**Author:** ![tevya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@tevya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tevya)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-beans-count-as-a-serving-of-vegetables/113318/7 "2002-06-11T03:44:21Z")
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** ---
**Author:** ![Sakurako](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85f322/32.png) [@Sakurako](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sakurako)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-beans-count-as-a-serving-of-vegetables/113318/8 "2002-06-11T03:57:22Z")
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.oldwayspt.org/html/p_veg2.htm) [http://www.vegsource.com/nutrition/pyramid.htm](http://www.vegsource.com/nutrition/pyramid.htm) Vegsource is great for all your Vegetable-type (and Vegetarian-type questions). ---
**Author:** ![Sakurako](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85f322/32.png) [@Sakurako](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sakurako)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-beans-count-as-a-serving-of-vegetables/113318/9 "2002-06-11T03:59:54Z")
Oh, I almost forgot soybeans! (How could I forget soybeans, I’m from Japan… 🙂 ) Soybeans are VERY high in protein… You can eat them in tofu, soymilk, etc. ---
**Author:** ![tevya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@tevya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tevya)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2002, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-beans-count-as-a-serving-of-vegetables/113318/10 "2002-06-11T12:02:48Z")
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.