Canned Beans or Cooked Beans?

Canned beans are convenient, but are they as nutritious as home cooked? And if we do used canned, should we drain them or not?

And beans are such a bargain! More tips in:

[Liliquan]

Beans are a lifesaver for those who hate to cook.
I’ll literally just eat out of the can whenever I want to snack.

[Alecostauk]

as a Brazilian I eat cooked beans almost every day, my advice is to use a pressure cooker and soak up for at least 12 hours! wash it before soaking and it will be cooked in ten minutes after the pressure has started!!
enjoy 😍

[betsycosmos]

I had been raised with no beans whatsoever (except the occasional chili dog) and so when I "discovered" beans about 7 years ago, what I goldmine of nutrition and terrific recipes! We have beans now in our home at least 6 times per week and I wouldn't want to do without them.

[mrscpc]

I do appreciate it when he speaks calmly and clearly.

[Vanessa-bknv]

What about BPA in the lining of cans or in some cases vinylic compounds which are also bad for you?

[swimbait]

I started cooking my own beans in an instapot and they taste so much better than canned beans. I can’t even eat canned beans anymore.

[Godisgreater]

I wish someone told me trick to perfect beans..DO NOT add salt until they are soft and cooked..After they are boiled and cooked then you can add salt..salt stops the process of cooking and they will be hard no matter how long you boil them if you add it too soon

[aimson]

Good video. Personally, I drain my canned beans but I don't rinse them. It would have been nice to see data showing difference in nutrients for the four categories (cooked, canned, canned drained, canned drained+rinsed). I suppose no salt added would be the best but I can't remember actually seeing those at my grocery store.

[immortalis]

I eat beans pretty much every day.
I have a huge pot into which I pour 8 pounds of pre-sorted and washed raw beans. Usually pinto beans plus 1 pound bag of black eyes peas. I soak overnight and in the morning I replace old water with fresh while washing as much as I can.
I then add vegetarian stock and some tomato paste/sauce and simmer slowly 2-3 hours. I stir every 30 minuets or so.
Once done and cooled I portion out and freeze 90% of it. To the rest I add canned chickpeas and corn. Because the original batch is fairly flavor neutral (which is done on purpose) I then can do different flavor of each small batch depending on the mood.
Masala curry, turmeric, coriander, cumin, cinnamon for Indian flavor, or Taco seasoning to next batch for Mexican flavor. Or just add hot sauce or Thai or whatever else strikes your fancy. Enjoy with steamed rice, in taco, as a soup or by itself :)
By doing such a huge batch I save on natural gas as each batch lasts for a long, long time and once the big pot is simmering I turn the flame to very low.
I hope that this helps someone!

EDIT: All those beans cost around $10 and they really last, while providing flexibility of flavor.

[gerardgizzi]

Lentils are a great source of nutrition, and cook up fast, without the soaking process.

[GuacamoleKun]

Phew, I was worried you were going to tell me canned was bad! I... may or may not live off of canned beans... I don't think they're salted, except for the refried ones, (my precious...) but now I'll check.

[soniaclarkstewart]

A few years ago, I saw on EastEnders that they made lasagna with beans! I googled some recipes and it really makes a great alternative for ground meat!

[jennoscura]

Beans beans their good for your heart. The more you eat the more you fart. The more you fart the better you feel. So bean beans for every meal! :) Add some rice to that and you can't go wrong.

[grandmajoyce]

After watching this, I'm going to go open a can of beans for dinner. I knew they were good, but this video definitely increased my appreciation of them. Thanks, Dr. Greger : )

[Fab]

I love it. This is the best information out there.
Dr. Greger. You Keep up the good job. ❤️💋

[swimbait]

Pour black beans into instapot. Add water until you have an inch of water over the top of the beans. Cool for 28 minutes. Perfect every time.

[johnborges]

My family comes from poor southern farmers, and I recall growing up that my grandmother in particular served peas or beans and greens she had grown in her garden and at every meal. She lived to 107. My parents were also big believers and did nearly as well with servings beans and greens, but of course me and my siblings had gotten lured away from healthy eating by the more typical American diet after leaving home. My sister and I still love the tastes of our childhood, though, and are back to growing what we can and eating more like our grandparents. I think it's important to remember that for most people in the US over a couple of hundred years, meat was a rare treat rather than a daily essential.

[dianaboughner]

What about the lectins that are supposedly toxic especially in kidney beans. My mentoring was always to throw away the soaking water. As for the enzymes, it is being promoted that the soaking allows these enzymes to sprout into existence.

[LeahBrooksJeremiahGardens]

Beans are so easy to cook in an Instant Pot! Press beans twice -- done! And they retain the enzymes that canning destroys.

[iinvokemyfirstamendmentrig]

Watched this as I was chowing down on a bean chimichanga. Been on a bit of a bean binge recently. I tend to give my body what it craves (within reason of course). Recently I have been craving beans. So, been eating beans. Mostly pintos. I especially love pintos cooked with a halved onion and some crushed garlic. Delicious.