Are roasted fava beans good for me?
Fava beans are packed with nutrition. Also known as broad beans, vicia fabas, horse beans, windsor beans or field beans – these delicious legumes have been enjoyed around the world for thousands of years and deservedly so. Fava beans boast a very long list of nutritious benefits.
Fava beans, like all other legumes, are naturally high in fibre and protein, thus providing a number of health benefits. Fibre in the diet is very important for maintaining a healthy digestive system. Soluble fibre can assist with reducing the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream and helps maintain blood sugar levels, which can help to reduce the risk of developing heart disease and can aid in managing diabetes. The dietary fibre in fava beans and low glycemic index can also assist with weight loss by making you feel fuller for longer.
Nutrition Australia recommends males should aim to include 30 grams of fibre in their diets per day and females should aim for 25 grams. Amazingly, one cup of fava beans contains approximately 9.2 grams of dietary fibre.
Fava beans are also high in protein and iron so they are a brilliant substitute for meat. Protein is essential for the human body to perform the most basic of tasks, essentially we cannot function without it. Skin, muscle, brain cells, hair and nails are all protein-based parts of the body.
Fava beans are rich in phyto-nutrients and plant sterols which have been shown to have a direct correlation with health promotion and disease prevention. Fava beans have no cholesterol or saturated fat, and contain many essential vitamins and minerals such as folate, thiamin, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin B-6, potassium, copper, selenium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus manganese and calcium. These vitamins and minerals play a vital role in the overall health and development of our bodies.
Given all of these incredible benefits fava beans are fantastic for everyone, but provide extra valuable nutrition to those who are on vegetarian, gluten free, heart healthy, calorie controlled and diabetic diets.
So, now you know how good these incredible little legumes are for you, how can you add them into your diet? There are lots of simple ways to incorporate this wonder food into your repertoire. Try adding to soups, casseroles or stews, add to salads or top off your stir-fries and curries with a few fava beans to add extra taste and texture. Try fava beans instead of green peas and beans with your next meal. Or for the purists, fava beans are simply delicious sauteed in butter and seasoned with salt, pepper and a sprinkling of your favourite fresh herbs.
Or if you’re simply looking for a quick and easy, healthy snack for yourself and your family that you don’t have to worry about being laden with fat, sugar and artificial additives, The Happy Snack Company Fav-va Beans are ideal. Nut, gluten, wheat, dairy and egg free, but definitely not taste free, our Fav-va Beans are slow roasted to perfection and seasoned with all natural ingredients. Now in a new range of exciting flavours like Lightly Salted; Sea Salt and Balsamic vinegar; Lime and Cracked Pepper and Tomato, Onion and Basil, there’s something for everyone.
Finally, a wholesome snack you can feel good about giving to your family that’s actually delicious. Healthy snacking just got easier.