Ever since my ‘confinement period’ after the birth of Cass 6 years ago, I have never really stuffed myself with red meat and iron-rich food after my monthly menses. In fact, I have been cutting down on meat lately and have been eating more vegetables and eggs.
Lately, my heavy menstrual flow is taking a toll on my well-being. I feel lethargic most of the time. I feel like I have lost my once never-failing stamina. About 10 years ago, I could jog twice a day – morning for 20 minutes and evening for almost an hour. I cannot possibly do that now.
To replenish the massive blood loss every month during my ‘torrential flow’, I have started to increase my consumption of red meat and red beans during and after my menses. For 3 days this week during my menses, I have been eating red bean sweet soup for breakfast.
Red Bean Goodness
They are rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B1, B2, B6 and packed with protein, folic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, selenium, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, fiber , protein and energy including resistant starch.
Resistant starch seems to have several important benefits, like boosting the body’s ability to burn fat, helping you feel full, controlling blood sugars, and even reducing cancer risk.
1. Red Beans – wonderful source of antioxidants: red beans is one of the richest foods in antioxidants, even richer than blueberries or cherries, according to a study by researchers from the United States Department of Agriculture on 100 fruits, vegetables and nuts. Thus, Frequently consumption of red beans help your body fight free radicals and reduces the risk of cancer or other serious diseases, keeping your youth longer!
2. Red Beans – essential source of fiber: a cup of red beans provides half your daily requirement of fiber, which not only keeps the digestive system health, ease digestion and prevent constipation, but shrinks the cholesterol levels, lowering the risk associated with cardiovascular disease and regulate blood sugar levels.
3. Red Beans – a healthy alternative to meat: when you want a lighter meal or are in post, replacing the consumption of meat with red beans. Excellent source of protein, red beans will help to strengthen your body and muscles, to prevent cardiovascular disease and live a life full of energy! A cup of red beans is over 15 mg of healthy protein for your body
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4. Red Beans – source of iron: let’s do a little test – keep your palm facing you and pull the fingers back. How pink are the lines of your palm ? If they are white, you may suffer from iron deficiency and red beans is a wonderful source of iron, low in calories and fat (as opposed to red meat). Pregnant women, children and teenagers need especially high intakes of iron, and a cup cover of red beans have 30% of the RDA.
5. Red Beans – for a great memory: source of thiamine (vitamin B1), red bean consumption stimulates attention and memory, is particularly beneficial during periods of intellectual overloaded, eliminate insomnia, combat depression, fatigue and anxiety and lowers Alzheimer’s risks .
Besides all the benefits mentioned above, regular consumption of red beans strengthens teeth and bones, can help you lose weight, lower the risk of heart attack and energize your whole body!
Another thing that I like about red beans is that they are very affordable, yet chock-full of goodness!
