I’m a vegetarian and I often read that I should eat more pulses and beans, but I’m never sure what to do with them, how to get them to taste nice and how much to eat. I also suffer with wind any time I go near a bean!
Carol, London
Ryan says…
To get pulses and beans to taste nice you could try something as simple as seasoning, with natural salt, such as Celtic salt. Also, use plenty of herbs and spices, such as dried cumin, or add fresh herbs such as coriander. Pulses and beans take on the flavours of other ingredients extremely well and a good veggie cookbook will provide you with plenty of ideas.
They often need soaking overnight, but if you’re very busy you can go for canned beans and not lose out on nutrients.
Don’t assume beans will cause wind, there are other factors such as too much fat, or lactose intolerance that can cause this problem. The best thing to do is keep a food diary and see what aggravates you.
And remember, unless you are vegan, eggs and dairy products are a vial part of a vegetarian diet and a valuable source of protein. Most importantly, make sure you get the nutrient balance right.”
- Ryan James is a fitness and nutrition lecturer with Premier Training: www.premierglobal.co.uk