One good thing about this diet plan is that I discovered how awesome beans are. Sure I’d eat black beans at a Mexican restaurant, or put chickpeas on my salads, but I never really invested my time or effort in eating beans. I have no idea why now because they are SO filling.
Had I know this before I lost 100 pounds, I think I could have had an easier time losing weight if I ate a lot of beans. They are so high in fiber and they sit so heavy in the stomach it’s impossible to feel hungry after eating them.
Beans are really versatile too. Add black beans to scrambled eggs with some salsa for a Mexican Scramble. Add beans to soups for more fiber and bulk. Eat lima beans or pinto beans as a side dish to dinner. Add them to pasta salads and regular salads…I’ve also seen people roast chickpeas (haven’t tried that yet) and eat them as snacks. Yum! So many things to try!
Just be kind to your partner. 😉
BREAKFAST:
2 scrambled eggs
1 Trader Joe’s Sweet Pork Sausage Link
Sour Cream
Coffee and Cream
I wasn’t a huge fan of the sausage link. I liked it better when we used it to make the sausage and peppers pizza.
Calories: 424 | Carbs: 17g | Protein: 30g | Fiber 0g
SNACK:
Babybel Cheese
6 raw almonds
Lightly salted cashews
I liked the combination of the cheese and nuts together. I was also surprised that I wasn’t hungrier at my snack time because I rode my bike to work Tuesday morning. Weird!
Calories: 150 | Carbs: 4g | Protein: 8g | Fiber 1g
LUNCH:
13 Bean Soup
The soup was even more delicious a few days later. It was like the flavors got stronger and smokier. I didn’t bring anything to go with the soup because I knew it would sit heavy. I was stuffed!
Calories: 410 | Carbs: 51g | Protein: 38g | Fiber 15g
SNACK:
Hummus
Raw Cauliflower
I didn’t want to bring celery or cucumber. I decided to try some cauliflower (one of my favorite veggies). I ate my snack right before I had to get ready to bike home.
Calories: 131 | Carbs: 15g | Protein: 6g | Fiber 5g
DINNER:
Salad with cauliflower, broccoli, red peppers
Grilled chicken
Refried Beans
Cheese
Sour Cream
Chopped 1/2 avocado
The Mexican chicken salad for dinner was delicious. I love it! The refried beans were an interesting and yummy addition. I almost liked that better than black beans I think. Even though it’s “just a salad”, it’s pretty filling.
I was really hungry too because we’d spent hours in the garden beforehand. If anyone ever says gardening isn’t hard work, they’ve never done it. The manual labor is definitely a workout!
Calories: 563 | Carbs: 37g | Protein: 42g | Fiber 16g
I’m glad the weather is nicer and the sun is out longer. We got a ton of stuff done in the garden and I’m happy that it’s starting to take shape.
TOTALS FOR THE DAY:
Calories: 1,921 | Carbs: 156g | Protein: 134g | Fiber 39g
QUESTION: What’s your favorite way to add beans to your diet?
Lisa @ I'm an Okie
Beans are one of my favorite foods and I think I could live off them sometimes.
Lisa Eirene
I’ve become a huge fan of beans recently. I think there have been days where I had them at every meal last week. 🙂
Carbzilla
Roasted chickpeas are sooooo good. Smoothie Girl gave me some, and they are one of those snacks that totally fills you up. Maybe I’ll try to make a batch soon (I did buy some Penzey’s spices when I was down last).
Lisa Eirene
I’ve never tried it before. Do you have a recipe?
Chris
Yay for beans! I discovered the tasty goodness of beans when I cut meat out of my diet. I knew that if I was going to make it stick I had to find a protein source besides peanut butter. 🙂
I pretty much put beans in anything I used to put meat in. I put them in pasta dishes… with scrambled egg whites and hot sauce in a w.w. wrap… my latest favorite is a black bean burger with cilantro in it.
Lisa Eirene
I love making scrambled eggs with beans for breakfast! I’ve done the wrap a few times and it’s great!
We tried to make black bean burgers once and failed miserably. They were impossible to eat. The texture was just off and it fell apart. Do have tips or a specific recipe?
Chris
I tried several different b.b.burger recipes and they were always dry and tasteless. I finally found this one and loved it – I think the cilantro helps a lot. I can’t remember where I found this recipe, or I’d give credit where it’s due and send you that way for more recipes. 🙂 Let me know if you try it!
2 cans black beans
3 T. plain yogurt
1/3 c. plain dry breadcrumbs
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/4 tsp paprika
pinch of salt
1/4 c. cilantro
Put 1 can of beans and all other ingredients in a food processor and mix until a coarse puree forms. Transfer it to a bowl and add the remaining can of beans. (It helps with texture if they’re not all squished) Add as much lime juice as needed to create a mixture that holds together well. (Probably won’t need a whole lime). Heat 3 T. vegetable oil in skillet over med-high heat and cook burgers for five minutes, turning once.
I put them on the Foreman because I didn’t want to mess with the oil and the skillet, and it worked just fine.
Lori
I really don’t like beans. They have a funny grainy texture to me. I don’t know what it is. My husband doesn’t understand that LOL. I do like lentils, though, and I will eat chick peas.
Roasting chickpeas is easy. Just drain and rinse, spray with cooking spray and whatever spices you like. Then roast on a sheet pan at 400 degrees until they are crispy. I check them every 15 minutes. It all depends on the weather how long it takes. You can make them sweet or savory.
Lisa Eirene
I’m a big fan of chili. I like eating my beans that way!
Thanks for the tip. It sounds like roasting chickpeas is super easy.
Kimberly
Hello, I just happened upon your blog from a comment from RunEatRepeat. Congratulations to you your weightloss and lifestyle change!
I am a bean fiend! Everytime I think I have a favorite I find another one I like more. I’ve been eating black beans with breakfast– sometimes with in egg or in a breakfast burrito. Mmmm!
Lisa Eirene
Hi Kimberly, thanks for checking out my website!
I am a huge fan of the black beans and eggs combo!
kalin
We are bean-eaters.
Homemade refried beans are redic.
I had lentils for lunch today
Toritilla soup type things with beans are delicious (and are a good way to use up leftovers)
I’ll add beans to other soups too if I have some hanging out in the fridge.
And we’ll have beans as a side for bbq-ish things sometimes (ribs, burgers, etc)
Lisa Eirene
I forgot about tortilla soup! I love tortilla soup. YUM.
What did you do for the lentils? Looking for a good recipe!
Phillis
I found a great salad recipe on the Nate Butkus show this week. I have already prepared it twice. You just chop red bell pepper, green bell pepper, purple onion, 1 mango, and mix with 1 can of drained black beans. (*the official recipe called for 2 cans of beans; however, I like the consistency with 1 can). Stir with ff Italian dressing.
Lisa Eirene
That sounds like a delicious bean salad!
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun
LOVE beans and I agree that they are so filling. And its nice to help keep things, ahem, regular. 🙂
Lisa Eirene
Yeah, that was a fun conversation to have with the bf. LOL