Love French Beans? Nutritionist Pooja Makhija Tells You Why You Should Add Them To Your Diet

Most of our childhoods have been marked by a parental figure convincing us to eat some beans. Even if you hated the vegetable as a child, there is no denying that beans are one of the most nutritious greens out there. Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, they also act as a good source of folic acid, calcium and fibre. The humble beans are also rich in antioxidants and have good anti-inflammatory properties, and therefore play a very important role in heart and bone health. Elaborating on the nutritional value of the vegetable, celebrity nutritionist Pooja Makhija shared a photo on her Instagram Stories. Along with a photo of rice and a side of French beans, she wrote, “ Who else loves French beans? Most versatile veggies ever. Make them Indian style or continental or Chinese– they add so much crunch and munch to any dish.” Take a look at the picture:

Listing out the benefits, she said, “I do love all things French but who can ignore the truckload of nutrition in them anyway? Rich in carotenoids, vitamin C, fibre, potassium, folate, phosphorus, silica and calcium.”

There are several ways to include French beans into your diet. Like Pooja, you can pair it as an Indian dish with rice or bread. You can also make a quick stir fry by pairing the beans with carrots as we have done in this recipe.

(Also Read: Celeb Nutritionist Pooja Makhija Shares Quick Tips To Curb Sugar Cravings)

If you prefer a tinge of sweetness in your food, you can also try this Gujarati recipe which combines some sugary note with spicy flavours. For this phaliyan recipe, we primarily use French beans, jaggery, tamarind, sesame seeds, cumin, mustard seeds, and curry leaves with some coconut to add some crunchy flavour to the dish.

You can also easily incorporate French beans into your favourite veg korma. Add some coconut milk to bring some distinct flavour to the dish. You can pair the beans with other healthy vegetables like carrots and broccoli. This south Indian style curry will work best with appams and Indian bread.

A simple stir fry of French beans can also act as a lovely side to your fish or chicken steak.