Beans may not be beautiful, and they get a bit of a bad rap because of their, er, unfortunate side effects. But you really should give beans a chance. They are loaded with nutritional health benefits. The soluble fiber in beans not only provides energy for our bodies but can also lower cholesterol. And the fiber in beans can aid digestion and keep your bowels working properly.

 Pre-soaking your beans overnight in the refrigerator helps shorten the cooking time and also helps break down the outer coating so they’re more digestible. If you’re short on time, use canned beans, but be mindful of the added sodium.