Being a tad anemic from heavy menstruation caused by a fibroid in my uterus, I am now increasing my iron intake from red beans and spinach. I used to stuff myself with red meat like beef and pork  until I read that high intake of meat, especially red meat takes a toll on our kidneys and liver. Plus too much of red meat may increase our risk to cancer. Red meat from mammals and duck are not recommended for those with fibroids. These foods are likely to be high in added hormones, including estrogen.

Red beans are a healthy alternative to red meat.  Red beans are high in protein, fiber and iron.

I cook a big pot of red beans mixed with mung beans once or twice in a month to pump up my iron, protein and folic acid reserves.

My red bean and mung bean sweet dessert, mildly sweetened with granulated palm sugar and flavored with screwpine leaves.  It would taste even better if fresh coconut milk is added.

I soak my beans overnight to de-gas the beans as well as to remove toxins from the beans. I don’t fancy holy smoke choking everyone  at home after eating those beans 😀   The beans are cooked in the slow cooker on high overnight for at least 9 hours.

What’s The Skinny On Red Beans?

1) Beans are loaded with nutrients that our bodies crave:
B Vitamins: are necessary for healthy brain and nerve cells, for normal functioning of the skin, nerves and digestive system.

Calcium: for strong bones and teeth and to help keep the body more alkaline, rather than acidic.

Potassium: helps reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.

Folate: a B vitamin that our bodies don’t produce yet dry beans are our single best source of this important vitamin which helps protect against heart disease and cancer.

2) Red beans are really, really frugal. A big bag of red beans (non-organic)  only costs a few Ringgit.

3) Those on a low carb high protein diet can skip the meat and indulge in red beans.  Red beans are a good plant-based source of protein, low in fat, low in GI and high in fiber while meat has no fiber.   One cup of red beans provides more than two egg’s worth of protein.

4) Red beans are  good for your 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

5) For better heart health: The soluble fiber in red beans helps to reduce cholesterol levels, while the folate helps to lower levels of homocysteine, a compound associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

6) Ease muscle cramping: With more magnesium and calcium than a sports drink and more potassium than a large banana, red beans are loaded with electrolytes to help prevent or relieve muscle cramping.

7) Beans are versatile – it’s impossible to even guess how many bean recipes exist on this planet! One thing is for sure – the number is in the hundreds of thousands and most likely the millions. If I assigned you the task of listing 100 different bean recipes, you could certainly do it!