What’s the healthiest bean to eat? 5 types that are nutritionist-approved and how to enjoy them.

If you’re looking to upgrade your health in 2025, eating more beans and lentils should be on your bingo card. Packed with nutrients such as fiber, protein, iron and magnesium, beans and lentils are among the most nutritious and versatile foods on the planet. Yet these little wonders are often overlooked at the supermarket. Maybe it’s because they often come in a can or that they got a bad rap in the ’90s as the “musical fruit,” but beans and lentils have flown under the radar for decades, while other superfoods like kale, chia and cauliflower have had their moments.

However, it looks like beans are finally going to get the spotlight they deserve in 2025. Earlier last month, the Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee was released, with recommendations for changes to dietary guidelines, including eating more beans and lentils. In its report, the committee noted that 83% of people fall short of the recommended 1 to 4 cups of cooked beans, peas and lentils per day.

With National Bean Day approaching on Jan. 6, there’s never been a better time to embrace beans and lentils. Here’s why beans and lentils should be in your shopping cart more often:

Health benefits of beans

Beans and lentils offer a bouquet of nutrients, including protein, fiber, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, folate, zinc and selenium, although the exact nutrition composition varies by type. They contain very little saturated fat and minimal sodium and have a low glycemic index.