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In the field of nutrition, everyone has heard
about the health benefits of cruciferous
vegetables, like broccoli and dark, leafy
greens, such as spinach and kale. Not as
much attention is given to legumes such as
beans, lentils, and peas, which contain a
vast amount of essential nutrients,
especially for vegetarians and vegans.
Available in multiple varieties, beans and peas technically qualify as part of the protein food group due to their considerably high protein content. However, they also fall into the vegetable category due to high levels of fiber, folate, and potassium. Because many Americans consume too few of these nutrients, the USDA recommends beans and peas for individuals eating any kind of diet.
While many kinds of beans qualify for the
beans and peas category, green peas
and lima beans technically belong to
the starchy vegetable group. In the
same vein, green beans are often
grouped with lettuce, cabbage, onions,
and celery due to their relatively low
nutrient content.
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