Why Do I Crave Green Beans?

Green beans are a common staple in households across the country. They go by several names, some of the most popular ones being snap beans and string beans. Despite their name, however, theyâre not always green. You can get green beans in yellow or purple too. They are a type of common bean called Phaseolus vulgaris. Â.

Green beans are native to North, South, and Central America. Today, however, they grow all over the world. They grow year-round, meaning youâll find them in grocery stores no matter what season it is. But from May to October, when they’re at their best, you can usually find them at farmer’s markets. Â.

While they may be low in calories, green beans contain many important nutrients that provide several health benefits. The legumes are full of antioxidants, including vitamin C, flavonols, quercetin, and kaemferol. There are free radicals in the body that these antioxidants fight. This helps protect cells and may lower your risk of some health problems. Â.

Green beans are full of fiber, which is an important nutrient for many reasons. It is thought that soluble fiber may help your heart health by lowering your LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) levels. Â.

The fiber in green beans helps to keep your digestive system healthy and running smoothly. It’s important to know that some types of fiber can make digestive problems worse, like irritable bowel syndrome. They can cause gas, bloating, and pain in the intestines. Â.

Those with irritable bowel syndrome (and other intestinal issues) often do better by avoiding high FODMAP foods. FODMAPs are carbohydrates that may not be digested or absorbed well. Green beans are a low FODMAP food, which can help to improve symptoms of digestive disorders. Â.

Folate is a B vitamin that is needed for the growth and development of unborn babies. One cup of green beans has about one-third of your daily recommended amount. The vitamin helps to reduce the risk of certain birth defects. Women who are pregnant need to take in more folate than those who arenât. Women who are pregnant need 600mcg every day, and women who are nursing need 500mcg every day. Â.

Green beans are high in vitamin K, and they also contain a decent amount of calcium. These nutrients are important for maintaining strong, healthy bones and reducing your risk of fractures. Â.

Getting enough folate isnât just important during pregnancy. The B vitamin is also important for reducing depression. Getting enough folate helps to reduce the amount of homocysteine in your body. Too much homocysteine can stop your body from making serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine naturally. These are hormones that control your mood, sleep, and hunger. Â .

Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to all of your body’s cells. Iron is an important part of these cells. Insufficient iron intake can lead to anemia, which is characterized by fatigue, weakness, and lightheadedness. You can get a good amount of plant-based iron from green beans, which can help you stay healthy and avoid anemia. Â.

There is something in green beans called chlorophyll that may help slow the growth of cancer tumors and lower the risk of getting cancer. Many of the current studies, however, use animals. More research is needed to confirm the anti-cancer benefits of chlorophyll. Â.

A single cup of fresh green beans contains approximately 25% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C. Additionally, it contains approximately 15% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin A, an important vitamin for eye health, and 203% of the daily recommended amount of folate, a substance that is essential for keeping neural tube defects at bay.

Green beans are good for you, but there are a few things you should know before you start eating them:

Before you eat green beans, you should talk to your doctor if you take blood thinners like warfarin. The vitamin K content of the legumes may interfere with your medication, affecting how your blood clots. Â.

Lectins are a type of protein present in various types of beans, including green beans. While they do have some benefits, they can also cause digestive discomfort. To deactivate lectins, you need to cook green beans thoroughly.

Phytic acid can bind with certain minerals, preventing your body from absorbing them. If you don’t get enough minerals, you should talk to your doctor before adding green beans to your diet. Â.

While green beans are a naturally low-sodium food, certain canned varieties have added salt. Too much salt can increase your risk of high blood pressure and heart-related problems. If you do purchase canned beans, be sure to rinse them thoroughly to remove excess salt. Â.

Have you ever had an intense craving for green beans out of the blue? Sudden cravings for specific foods like green beans can indicate that your body is low in certain nutrients Understanding what’s behind your hankering for green beans can help you address potential nutritional deficiencies

Possible Causes of Green Bean Cravings

There are a few key nutrients found abundantly in green beans that your body may be signaling it needs more of when a craving strikes:

Vitamin C

One cup of cooked green beans provides 14% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C. This important nutrient acts as an antioxidant and supports immune health. Craving more vitamin C-rich foods like green beans could mean you need more of this vital vitamin.

Vitamin K

Green beans are also an excellent source of vitamin K, providing over 30% of the daily value per cup Vitamin K plays a critical role in blood clotting and bone health. If you are deficient in vitamin K, strong cravings for green beans could emerge

Fiber

With nearly 4 grams of fiber per cup, green beans are a fiber-rich food. Fiber promotes digestive health and gut regularity. Sudden cravings for green beans may indicate your body is seeking more dietary fiber in your diet.

Potassium

Green beans provide 12% of the daily potassium needs per serving. Potassium supports fluid balance, muscle function and nerve transmission. Cravings for potassium-filled foods like green beans could signify you need more of this mineral.

Iron

Green beans have modest amounts of iron, which helps transport oxygen in the blood. An iron deficiency can lead to cravings for iron-rich foods.

Listening to Your Cravings

Paying attention to your food cravings and understanding what they mean can lead to beneficial diet changes. Next time you desperately crave green beans, consider if your body may be signaling a need for more vitamins C or K, fiber, potassium or iron. Make dietary tweaks to give your body more of the nutrients it’s asking for via green bean cravings. A balanced diet with a variety of whole foods can help prevent intense cravings related to deficiencies. But tuning into exactly what your body is asking for through cravings can be insightful.

why do i crave green beans

More on Diet & Weight Management

why do i crave green beans

How to Prepare Green Beans

Green beans are a very versatile legume. You can find them fresh in the produce aisle, in the freezer section, or even in cans. Here are some popular ways to prepare them:

Sauteed with garlic and olive oil or butter
Oven-roastedÂ
Cooking them into a green bean casserole
Stir-fried with other vegetables

Green Beans | WHY SHOULD YOU EAT THEM?

FAQ

What does it mean when you crave green vegetables?

Yes, sometimes we do crave fresh food and vegetables like kale or broccoli. Many times this desire for fresh ingredients appears when your body needs more Vitamin C, calcium, iron or magnesium. “If you begin to crave fruits and vegetables, then indulge away!” Newhouse said.

What happens if you eat a lot of green beans?

Green beans are also considered low in FODMAPs (fermentable oligo-, di- and monosaccharides and polyols), which are carbohydrates that can lead to abdominal discomfort, gas and bloating in those with irritable bowel syndrome.

What do green beans do to your body?

The vegetable helps fight inflammation and is a good source of folate and potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure. Green beans also are a good source of protein and fiber, which helps lower cholesterol, Vadiveloo said. “Fiber is underconsumed by U.S. adults and children, and it’s good for gut health,” she said.

Why do I love green beans so much?

They are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, which support immune function, skin health, and blood clotting, respectively. Additionally, green beans provide a good source of dietary fiber, promoting digestive health and helping to regulate blood sugar levels.