Page 71 - Muscle & Fitness (December 2019)

F O O D F I G H T E A T
By Anthony O’Reilly

BEAN

THERE,

DONE

THAT

What’s a better
burrito filling: black

or pinto beans?

f you’ve ever been—or, if you’ll
pardon the pun, bean—to a
certain burrito-centric fast-
food restaurant, you’ve been
Iasked the following question:
black beans or pinto beans?
Beans do more than just add
some flavor to your bowl or
tortilla—they’re rich in protein
and various vitamins and micro-
F I G H T C A R D
nutrients like vitamins B1, B6, E,
and K. But is one more nutritious PINTO BEANS VS. BLACK BEANS
than the other?
Registered dietitian and Per 1 cup serving
nutritionist Malina Malkani
says it’s a close call between the
two. “As long as black and pinto

beans are prepared without
excess salt, sugar, and/or fats,
both are exceptionally healthy
choices,” says Malkani, a spokes-
person for the Academy of Nu-
trition and Dietetics and creator
of the Wholitarian Lifestyle. “It’s
helpful to know that both black
and pinto beans contain about 15
grams of protein each per cup, as
well as about 15 grams of fiber.”
Black beans hold a slight
advantage over pinto because
of their high anthocyanin and
flavonoid content, both of which
help the body fight inflamma-
S H U T T E R S T O C K crease the risk of obesity. They W I N N E R : B L A C K B E A N S
tion, ward off cancer, and de-

also have slightly fewer calories

and less fat.

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 / M U S C L E & F I T N E S S 6 9