Are pinto beans healthy?

me

[housemouse 1]

My family is on a pinto bean diet, i'll call it that because money tight and this is all we have to eat, well rice, and homemade tortillas, but even those few inbetween times we can have eggs, cheese, fruit, vegtables, it's mostly beans, i make plain, and chili version, leftovers become soup, my kids think we are going to die, what i'd like to hear is what someone else thinks?

[BlueStateBlues]

Beans are the new red meat.

I eat them sometimes, and like them best with rice and seasonings. One of these years I’ll work them into my diet more than I do now.

[Buddygirl]

LOL you had me going there, Laz. I guess beer and pizza are your standard fare....

[yarddog]

According to Bart Simpson’s teacher, beans are neither musical or fruit.

[Paladin2]

Oatmeal.

[jonrick46]

I love pinto beans (15 oz can) with chili powder (1 TBS), cumin (1/2 tsp), cilantro (1 tsp), oregano (1/2 tsp), green onions (one stalk-diced), onion (1/4 cup-diced), 1 clove garlic (diced), salt and pepper. Sometimes I like to add 1/4 cup of fresh Anaheim pepper. This can go into a burrito or smashed to make a great refried beans to go with a nice enchilada and Mexican rice.

[housemouse 1]

thanks to all, i’m feeling better already, (once the room air’s out, that is )

[Paladin2]

"I guess beer and pizza are your standard fare...."

Any proper FReeper knows that popcorn is on everyone here's diet.

[bert]

.....Be sure to pair it with rice ....

I think cornbread also reinforces the beans.

Beans and cornbread have been a southern stape for a very long time

[abigailsmybaby]

Woo! That sounds gourmet to me and sounds like a great idea for this weekend.

I’m starving now after reading this thread.

[TomGuy]

Good website for nutrition information on many foods:

http://www.peertrainer.com/dfnutrition.aspx

[allmendream]

It is GOOD than beans are high in carbohydrates.

Don't believe the hype that carbohydrates are bad for you.

Carbohydrates are an ESSENTIAL part of a balanced diet, and no problem at all unless you are grossly overweight.

Don't believe the hype of the guy who had a heart attack and died on his front stoop.

Carbohydrates are pure energy. Your body is designed to break down carbs and turn it into energy. Only if you are taking in more energy than you are burning do you need to beware of taking in too many carbs.

There is a reason why as an athlete I used to “carbo-load” before a regatta.

[PennsylvaniaMom]

Pinto beans had an explosive quality that Ford corrected with the subsequent Escort line. And today’s Focus (or Focii) are great on gas...

(I couldn’t resist). A can of Rotel diced tomatoes, added to mashed pinto beans makes an excellent dip or enchalada filling (Wally-World sells Rotel for about a buck a can).

Trust me (mom of five) they won’t die without pizza or McDonalds...

[HospiceNurse]

You can substitute pasta for the rice. Wal-mart has whole wheat pasta cheap and regular pasta even cheaper.

[rfreedom4u]

Prepare your self if you haven’t already for the increase in gas that your bodies will produce. I love pinto beans but my wife gets mad if I eat too many.

[LongElegantLegs]

These are very flexible recipes, if you don’t have garlic salt, garlic powder is just as good, dehydrated onions instead of fresh, etc.

1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped (1/2 cup)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 c pinto beans
10 corn tortillas (I use homemade, masa is cheap!)
1 cup of cheese, less if you desire
1 can enchilada sauce (use the home made sauce)

1. Heat oven to 350°F.
Lightly grease 11x7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with
cooking spray. Heat oil in 10-inch skillet over medium heat.
Add onion and cumin; cook and stir until onion is tender.
Stir in beans.

2. Warm tortillas, then dip each on a bowl of water before you roll it. Place about 3 tablespoons bean mixture in center of each warm tortilla. Top each with 1 TBS of cheese.
Roll up tightly; place, seam side down, in baking dish.
Spoon enchilada sauce over tortillas.
3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
Sprinkle with cheese.

Enchilada sauce:

1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 cup chili powder (2 TBS if your kids don’t like it hot)
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion salt
salt to taste

Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in flour and chili powder, reduce heat to medium, and cook until lightly brown, stirring constantly to prevent burning flour. This takes about 30 seconds.
Gradually stir in tomato sauce, water, cumin, garlic powder, and onion salt into the flour and chili powder until smooth, and continue cooking over medium heat approximately 10 minutes, or until thickened slightly. Season to taste with salt.

[trisham]

I make a bean salad that I think is very healthy, although rarely because I am on Atkins because of my husband's diabetes.

One can of black beans

One can of red beans

Two cans of chick peas

red wine vinegar

olive oil

Finely minced "sweet" (splenda) pickles

Minced red onion

Minced orange, red or yellow pepper

Salt and pepper to taste.

[housemouse 1]

this has been very informational for me, thank you everyone who has responded, i can't stop laughing at quite afew of them

[rfreedom4u]

You can boil the bones and skin to make stock for future soups or stews.

[tophat9000]

There why "Blazing Saddle" was call "Blazing Saddle"

[housemouse 1]

thank you, we will try this tonight